PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 teams, using our draft rankings and our evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes.
Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second- and third-round picks, along with the complete team-specific draft board including every player in PFF's draft rankings.
Here is the entry for the New Orleans Saints:
Round 1 (12th overall)
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
More edge rush opposite Cameron Jordan. Lawson also brings strong presence in the run game with a top-two grade there last season.
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Jones posted the second-highest pass rush grade among this class of interior defenders and might have the highest upside of any of them. He’d provide interior pass rush presence alongside Nick Fairley, which the Saints had little of last season – Kevin Williams was their only DT with a positive pass rush grade.
William Jackson III, CB, Houston
A smooth athlete with good ball skills, Jackson picked off five passes last season and defensed another 13. He finished with the second-highest coverage grade in the class and would fit at outside corner with Delvin Breaux and Keenan Lewis.
Round 2 (47th overall)
Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss
Another option at corner, Reed finished behind Jackson at third in coverage grade with similar ball skills – he got his hands on 18 passes (including interceptions) in only 89 targets. His competition at Southern Miss is a question, but Reed has the production and ticks the requisite boxes physically.
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Nassib is another good fit at defensive end. He led the FBS in sacks last season and was the second-most productive edge rusher on a per-snap basis.
Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
Thomas plays bigger than his 6-foot-1 frame and caught the highest percentage of contested passes among the top receivers in this class. He also gained 2.98 yards per route run, which ranked fifth in the class.
Round 3 (78th overall)
Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State
One of the top pass-protecting guards in the class with two years of strong grading there. Westerman’s not quite as good in the run game, but he’s a fantastic athlete that fits given the departure of mainstay Jahri Evans.
Darius Latham, DI, Indiana
More defensive line help. Latham posted two strong years of production at Indiana with the eighth-highest pass rush grade last season. He has one of the best spin moves in the class, although he has to improve against the run and may fit better as a pass rush specialist early on.
Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
Garrett brings size and downfield ability; he caught seven touchdowns and gained 725 yards (second-most in the class) on deep passes last season. Also dropped just three of 99 catchable passes thrown his way.
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