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2017 NFL Mock Draft: DeShone Kizer, defensive stars headline class

By Brad Weiss

Oct 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) celebrates after recovering an onside kick during the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) celebrates after recovering an onside kick during the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

9. player. 15. . Cornerback. Alabama. Marlon Humphrey

The New Orleans Saints need a lot of help on the defensive end, specifically in their secondary. The offense still has a ton of firepower with Drew Brees under center, but the defense cannot seem to stop anyone. Other teams in the division are getting better on the offensive side of the ball, specifically the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

Marlon Humphrey is the kind of defensive back that can come in and be the leader in the secondary. He plays in an advanced system at the University of Alabama, and after bursting onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in the National Championship Game last season, has already gotten first round buzz. The Saints would be a perfect fit for him, and he is likely to leave the Crimson Tide after this season.

There may not be too many more good years in Brees’ arm, so the Saints need to do whatever they can to shore up their holes on defense. Humphrey is definitely a first round talent, and should be the first cornerback off the board in April. The team also needs help up front on defense, but being able to stop the likes of Matt Ryan and Cam Newton from picking them apart in the secondary is the most pressing issue at this point.

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