NFL Mock Draft 2016: Post-Scouting Combine edition

Alabama. A'Shawn Robinson. 12. player. 15. <p>It is hard to describe just how brutal the New Orleans Saints have been on the defensive side of the ball in recent years. Instead of trotting out every number imaginable to make that point, let’s just agree that this is a franchise in desperate need of a defensive upgrade for 2016 and beyond.</p> <p>With that in mind, the Saints have quite a few players to choose from in this spot, and Robinson fits the “best available defensive player” corollary in my book. There are certainly some pundits that would actually take Robinson’s college teammate, Alabama DT Jarran Reed, in front of Robinson, but for me, Robinson brings more safety to the table as a run-stuffer and the Saints can’t miss here.</p> <p>Linebacker would be a nice position to focus on, but with Myles Jack and even Reggie Ragland gone in this scenario, there just isn’t an impact guy to snatch. It would blow everyone away if the Saints went offense with this pick, even with some (relative) needs in helping Drew Brees for 2016, but at the same time, New Orleans is almost in the “Tyson Zone” (copyright, Bill Simmons) with regard to their defense.</p> <p>Anything, and I mean anything, seems possible.</p>. DT