The New Orleans Saints have tended to draft one certain type of defensive end, but a new system taking over could lead to them expanding their criteria and adjust to the modern game.
Rather than investing in the smaller and faster pass rushers that have taken over the league, the Saints have always preferred the traditional 4-3 ends. It makes sense to go with system fits, but the results never really matched that.
Failed experiments like Payton Turner, Marcus Davenport and Isaiah Foskey should spell an end to the trend of drafting physical freaks because of size.
The Draft Network’s Justin Melo offered an intriguing option for them a recent mock draft that saw New Orleans going with Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker in the first round.
Here is what Melo had to say about the selection:
“The Saints rank 23rd in sacks this season with just 27 quarterback takedowns. Chase Young, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon are all pending free agents. There is no in-house successor for the aging Cameron Jordan. EDGE is a huge need and Walker is a premium prospect.”
Walker is certainly undersized for what the Saints typically like at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds. He had 89 career tackles with 19 for a loss and 12.5 sacks with just two years of really contributing.
He produces at a very high rate, picking up 73 pressures in 385 pass rush snaps per Pro Football Focus.
This would not only be a fun pick based on the player, but it would show that the front office is open to experimenting as they enter a likely rebuild.
