Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
With the 15 pick in the Rant Sports 2013 NFL Mock Draft the New Orleans Saints will select LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo. There are a ton of mock drafts having Mingo going to the Saints at 15 and this is another one. Mingo is everything the Saints need right now and his presence on the defensive line will vastly improve the team’s pass rush.
At 6-foot-4 241 pounds Mingo is tall and lean and possesses great athletic ability. Mingo is ridiculously fast and even posted a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Mingo’s time was the fastest for a defensive end after UCONN’s Trevardo Williams, who clocked in at 4.57 seconds. Mingo’s speed and length make him an elite prospect and should fit nicely into the Saints’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
Mingo played defensive end at LSU but because of his lack of weight will probably play outside linebacker in the Saints’ 3-4. Mingo is comparable to Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin. Both players are extremely fast and Irving is a great pass rusher for the Seahawks’ defensive line. However, like Irvin, Mingo will likely be used as a situational edge rusher and be on the field mostly against passing plays. In his rookie season Mingo could have a lot of playing time given that the NFL is now such a pass-happy league.
One of the biggest knocks on Mingo is that he might not be strong enough to get past opposing offensive lineman. Furthermore, Mingo’s long legs make him less fluid when trying to get around blockers. Mingo must develop more pass rushing techniques as he will not always be able to rely on his explosive first step.
Another thing that Mingo must improve upon is his run defense, as he sometimes fails to make the tackle in open space and ends up trying to run down the ball carrier. However, the Saints would be using him to rush the quarterback anyway and his run defense can be improved with coaching.
One thing that Mingo can do well is get to the quarterback and will likely have a good amount of sacks during his rookie season. Furthermore, when Mingo fails to get to the quarterback he uses his long frame to get into the passing lanes and bat down balls.
The bottom line is that if Mingo is there at 15 the Saints will draft him. Mingo is exactly what the Saints need as they move to a 3-4 defense, and he should make a seamless transition to an outside linebacker. Mingo can afford to add some muscle to his frame and get stronger on the next level. For what the Saints want to do on defense Mingo is perfect and has one of the most explosive first steps in this year’s draft class.
Mingo’s speed and athleticism make him a great prospect and he could prove to be a difference maker for the Saints’ defense. There are a few knocks on Mingo, but his tremendous upside and great talent far outweigh any negatives that he might have.
At No. 16, the St. Louis Rams select…
Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312
