The biggest New Orleans Saints roster need runs along their defensive line — both at end and at tackle. Despite having signed a couple of veteran free agents in Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders, there’s still room for more help up front. Four of the Saints’ top five defensive linemen have left in free agency, including all three of their top interior tackles.
To that end, we’re highlighting one prospect who fits what the Saints look for from a traits and athletic prototype standpoint in each round of the 2023 NFL draft. There are other prospects to monitor too, both in the early rounds (like Pitt’s Calijah Kancey and Baylor’s Siaki Ika), the middle of the draft (in Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks and Alabama’s Byron Young), and in the later rounds (such as Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond or Coastal Carolina’s Jerrod Clark). But here’s a shortlist of candidates:
Round 1: Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Round 2: Mazi Smith, Michigan
Round 3: Gervon Dexter, Florida
Round 4: Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Round 5: Kobie Turner, Wake Forest
Round 6: Dante Stills, West Virginia
Round 7: DJ Dale, Alabama
