Draft sleeper picks are the ones that makes you question why teams pass on a certain player. Finding a late round pick or un-drafted free agent who turns into a star is a luxury. The Saints have build their team by doing just that for the last several years. We talked about what prospects could be sleeper picks on offense. Now we take a look at the defense where the team has steadily improved the last few years under Dennis Allen.

Although the New Orleans Saints let Vonn Bell sign to the Cincinnati Bengals the Saints have kept a lot of their free agents on the defensive side of the ball. The Saints recently re-signed Malcolm Jenkins. For the first time in a while, the team is stacked at almost every position. But good teams are always looking to add on to an a deep roster.

Here are some NFL draft sleeper prospects on defense that could add solid depth for the Saints defense:

Draft Sleeper Picks: Defensive Line

Nick Coe

COLLEGE Auburn CLASS r-Junior HEIGHT 6’5″ WEIGHT 280 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.89 BENCH PRESS 21 VERTICAL JUMP 29.0 BROAD JUMP 116.0

Davon Hamilton

COLLEGE Ohio State CLASS r-Senior HEIGHT 6’4″ WEIGHT 320 lbs 40 YARD DASH 5.14 BENCH PRESS 33 VERTICAL JUMP 29.5 BROAD JUMP 102.0

Larrell Murchison

COLLEGE North Carolina State CLASS r-Senior HEIGHT 6’2″ WEIGHT 297 lbs 40 YARD DASH 5.05 BENCH PRESS 29 VERTICAL JUMP 29.0 BROAD JUMP 118.0

Rashard Lawrence

COLLEGE LSU CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6’2″ WEIGHT 308 lbs 40 YARD DASH 5.07 BENCH PRESS 22 VERTICAL JUMP – BROAD JUMP –

Casey Toohill

COLLEGE Stanford CLASS r-Senior HEIGHT 6’4″ WEIGHT 250 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.62 BENCH PRESS 17 VERTICAL JUMP 39.0 BROAD JUMP 126.0

You can never have too many lineman. The depth on the roster is pretty solid. However, Sheldon Rankins and Marcus Davenport both finished the season on injured reserve. Taking one of these prospects in the middle of the draft would be a great addition. A key factor to think about is versatility.


Draft Sleeper Picks: Linebackers

Akeem Davis-Gaither

COLLEGE Appalachian State CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6’1″ WEIGHT 224 lbs 40 YARD DASH – BENCH PRESS 21 VERTICAL JUMP – BROAD JUMP –

William Gay Jr.

COLLEGE Mississippi State CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6’1″ WEIGHT 243 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.46 BENCH PRESS 21 VERTICAL JUMP 39.5 BROAD JUMP 136.0

Shaquille Quarterman

COLLEGE Miami (Fla.) CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6’0″ WEIGHT 234 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.74 BENCH PRESS 23 VERTICAL JUMP 31.0 BROAD JUMP 129.0

Joe Bachie

COLLEGE Michigan State CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6’1″ WEIGHT 230 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.67 BENCH PRESS 26 VERTICAL JUMP 33.5 BROAD JUMP 119.0

The depth at this position is a “weak point”. A.J. Klein signed with the Bills and we wish him all the best. The main issue has been injuries for this position group. Alex Anzalone is fully healthy but has only had one full season. Kiko Alonso and Kaden Elliss will be coming back from ACL injuries. The fans hope the Saints will add a linebacker in the first round if one becomes available. But adding multiple players will be key especially with coach Michael Hodges taking over for Mike Nolan, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Cowgirls, I mean Cowboys.

Draft Sleeper Picks: Secondary

Amik Robertson

COLLEGE LA Tech CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5’8″” WEIGHT 187 lbs 40 YARD DASH – BENCH PRESS – VERTICAL JUMP – BROAD JUMP –

Bryce Hall – Virginia

COLLEGE Michigan State CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6’1″ WEIGHT 230 lbs 40 YARD DASH – BENCH PRESS 11 VERTICAL JUMP – BROAD JUMP –

Troy Pride

COLLEGE Norte Dame CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5’11” WEIGHT 193 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.4 BENCH PRESS 13 VERTICAL JUMP 33.5 BROAD JUMP 119.0

Alohi Gilman – Notre Dame

COLLEGE Norte Dame CLASS Junior HEIGHT 5’10” WEIGHT 201 lbs 40 YARD DASH 4.6 BENCH PRESS 17 VERTICAL JUMP 32.0 BROAD JUMP 119.0

As it stands right now, the secondary is pretty stacked. However, the main concern is depth at outside corner behind Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins. The Saints have a tendency to take a cornerback every year and this year will be no different. Adding another piece will give the team the most depth they have ever seen for quite some time. Who Dat Nation would love to see that happen.