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New Orleans Saints: Complete 7-round mock draft

By Josh Criswell

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet on the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet on the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Nick Vannett (81) makes a catch against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Taylor Barton (3) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State defats Illinois 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Nick Vannett (81) makes a catch against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Taylor Barton (3) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State defats Illinois 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 7: Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett

The tight end position has become an integral part of the New Orleans Saints’ prolific passing attack of recent years. And despite the departure of Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham, the trend of tight end production continues to be a mainstay of the offense.

Benjamin Watson has stepped into the starting role after spending the 2013 and 2014 seasons on the Saints’ bench, and has thrived. Watson has hauled in 67 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns, with his reception and touchdown totals ranking second on the team behind No. 1 receiver Brandin Cooks.

The problem for the Saints is Watson’s career season is coming when the bruising tight end is 35 years old. And although the 25-year old Josh Hill and 27-year old Michael Hoomanawanui have both provided flashes of promise, neither has done anything to solidify their role as the clearcut starter of the future.

Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett provides New Orleans with an interesting option in the seventh round, in that he does not have extremely high upside, but could be a perfect fit for their offense of the future.

Vannett has pass-catching ability that ranks among the best tight ends in the 2016 NFL Draft class. Unfortunately for 6-foot-6, 260-pound former high school basketball player, he is part of a passing attack that prefers to utilize its wide receivers. Regardless, the athletic tight end has still managed to compile 368 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 19 games over the course of the past two seasons.

Of equal importance, though, Vannett has plenty of experience and success in run blocking for an elite Ohio State rushing attack, something that could prove valuable as the emphasis of the offense continues to shift towards running back Mark Ingram.

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