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2015 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints Seven-Round Mock, Post-Free Agency Edition

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2015 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints Seven-Round Mock, Post-Free Agency Edition

Sean Payton New Orleans Saints
David Manning - USATODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the more active teams thus far in free agency, although the team’s fanbase isn’t convinced that the franchise is moving in the right direction. This should make the 2015 NFL Draft rather interesting for them, as the team has quite a few early draft picks. Here is a seven-round mock of what the Saints may do in the 2015 NFL Draft.

First Round, 13th Overall - Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri

Shane Ray Missouri
Jim Dedmon - USATODAY Sports

First Round, 13th Overall - Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri

Shane Ray Missouri
Jim Dedmon - USATODAY Sports

The New Orleans defense needs a considerable amount of help, most notably when it comes to rushing the passer. Ray was a defensive end in college, but he has the speed and athleticism to make the move to linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and he's one of the top pass rushers available in this year's draft. His stock has slipped some, but the Saints need a pass rush, so they're not passing on Ray at 13th overall.

First Round, 31st Overall - Breshad Perriman, Wide Receiver, Central Florida

Breshad Perriman
David Manning - USATODAY Sports

First Round, 31st Overall - Breshad Perriman, Wide Receiver, Central Florida

Breshad Perriman
David Manning - USATODAY Sports

With Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham being traded and Marques Colston getting old, the Saints need to replenish their offensive skill players, and they'll do that by taking Perriman with the extra first rounder they got from trading Graham. Perriman is a big and strong receiver with an NFL pedigree and the hands to catch any ball thrown his way. Drew Brees should enjoy throwing to him.

Second Round, 44th Overall - A.J. Cann, Offensive Guard, South Carolina

A.J. Cann South Carolina
Jeff Blake - USATODAY Sports

Second Round, 44th Overall - A.J. Cann, Offensive Guard, South Carolina

A.J. Cann South Carolina
Jeff Blake - USATODAY Sports

The Saints have traded Ben Grubbs, but Cann is a perfect replacement for him, perhaps even an upgrade. Cann has great natural strength and is able to finish his blocks. He's intelligent, alert, and quite coachable, and after being a four-year starter in the SEC he should be well prepared to step into the starting lineup for New Orleans at left guard as a rookie.

Third Round, 75th Overall - Alex Carter, Cornerback, Stanford

Alex Carter Stanford
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

Third Round, 75th Overall - Alex Carter, Cornerback, Stanford

Alex Carter Stanford
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

Even with the signing of Brandon Browner, the New Orleans secondary needs some help and could stand a few more options at cornerback. Carter has the size and frame to hang with some of the NFL's bigger wide receivers, as well as the ball skills to create some turnovers. He doesn't look like a star, but he should be a rock solid corner who may be able to make a quick transition and contribute as a rookie.

Third Round, 78th Overall - Jeff Heuerman, Tight End, Ohio State

Jeff Heuerman Ohio State
Andrew Weber - USATODAY Sports

Third Round, 78th Overall - Jeff Heuerman, Tight End, Ohio State

Jeff Heuerman Ohio State
Andrew Weber - USATODAY Sports

There's no replacing Jimmy Graham, but the Saints will have to do something at the tight end position in this draft to help fill the void. Heuerman has the size and hands to be a pass-catching tight end, as well as quality ball carrying skills, despite a lack of production in college. He's also a physical player and a willing blocker, which will at least make him a player capable of contributing in the NFL, even if he's not the star Graham is.

Fifth Round, 148th Overall - Ramik Wilson, Linebacker, Georgia

Georgia v Vanderbilt
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Fifth Round, 148th Overall - Ramik Wilson, Linebacker, Georgia

Georgia v Vanderbilt
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Even with the signing of Dannell Ellerbee, the Saints need some more bodies at the middle linebacker spot, which will lead to the addition of Wilson, who was one of the most productive players in the SEC over the past two years. Wilson boasts impressive athleticism that should be enough to allow him to make players in the NFL and at least give the Saints another option at the two inside linebacker spots.

Fifth Round, 154th Overall - Xavier Williams, Defensive Tackle, Northern Iowa

Xavier Williams Northern Iowa
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Fifth Round - Xavier Williams, Defensive Tackle, Northern Iowa

Xavier Williams Northern Iowa
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Williams is a high motor player with a strong work ethic, making him a good player to bet on at this stage in the draft. He profiles as a rotational player who should be able to handle the defensive end spot in a 3-4 scheme, which is where the Saints could use some depth. Williams also blocked eight kicks in college, so he can be an asset on special teams, adding to his value.

Sixth Round, 186th Overall - Brandon Bridge, Quarterback, South Alabama

Brandon Bridge South Alabama
Glenn Andrews - USTODAY Sports

Sixth Round, 186th Overall - Brandon Bridge, Quarterback, South Alabama

Brandon Bridge South Alabama
Glenn Andrews - USATODAY Sports

It wouldn't hurt the Saints to start thinking about life after Drew Brees. They have too many other needs to look at the top quarterbacks available, but Bridge is someone worth taking a chance on this late. He lacks experience, but he has size, elite arm strength, and good mobility. There's plenty he has to work on, but given the chance to develop for a couple years, who knows what the Saints could have in him down the line.

Seventh Round, 230th Overall - Jermauria Rasco, Defensive End, LSU

Jermauria Rasco
Christopher Hanewinckel - USATODAY Sports

Seventh Round, 230th Overall - Jermauria Rasco, Defensive End, LSU

Jermauria Rasco
Christopher Hanewinckel - USATODAY Sports

The need for a pass rush will lead to the Saints taking a chance on a Louisiana native like Rasco in the final round. Rasco doesn't have a skill set that stands out, but he has enough quickness and bend to rush the passer and he has the size to potentially make the transition to linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, that that's enough for New Orleans to take a flyer on him in Round 7.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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