NFL Draft 2017: Top target for each team
By John Buhler
New Orleans Saints: Solomon Thomas
Let’s be honest. Stanford Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas could be off the board as early as No. 2 to the San Francisco 49ers. One could argue that Thomas would be the pick for the 49ers at no. 2 if they don’t go quarterback. The same could be said for the Chicago Bears at No. 3 if they don’t go signal caller or safety.
By some draft day miracle if Thomas falls to No. 11, there is now way that the New Orleans don’t use their first round pick on the redshirt sophomore. Thomas is a blue-chip prospect, but did forgo his final two years of eligibility at academic and Pac-12 power Stanford. He’d be top-three in 2018 if he stuck around Palo Alto this fall.
In two years with the Cardinal, Thomas had 98 tackles, 24.5 for a loss of yardage, 12.0 sacks and four forced fumbles. His dominating performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Hyundai Sun Bowl ultimately tipped Thomas to declare for the draft.
New Orleans needs all the help it can get on defense. It prioritizes getting a pass rusher to play opposite of defensive end Cameron Jordan. Thomas is probably the best edge player in this draft not named Myles Garrett, who should be going No. 1 to the Cleveland Browns.
If Thomas is already off the board, New Orleans would be a good landing spot for Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett, Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton, or UCLA Bruins defensive end Takkarist McKinley. However, the last two would be a bit of a reach at New Orleans to make at No. 11.