2017 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints 7-round mock

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Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) warms up before the start of the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Round

Elijah Qualls

Defensive Tackle, Washington Huskies

The Saints won’t go with one player for the Pacific Northwest in this year’s NFL Draft. They will double-down and take Washington Huskies defensive tackle Elijah Qualls at No. 76 in the third round.

When Qualls was going for Washington, the Huskies defense was elite. He took up multiple blockers in run stuffing and could get penetration as an occasional pass rusher. New Orleans needs to win in the trenches to win in 2017 and beyond. Qualls might be better than the 76th player in the draft his year. This could be a good value pick for the Saints.

103

Brad Kaaya

Quarterback, Miami Hurricanes

If a team is looking for a quarterback in the third round, the guy that team’s need to target is Miami Hurricanes signal caller Brad Kaaya. Yes, him leaving school a year early when he could have learned more form Mark Richt is a bad look. However, Kaaya wasn’t recruited by Richt to Coral Gables, so that’s somewhat of an explanation for his early departure.

Kaaya could learn from both quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton for a year or two before taking over for Brees one he does inevitably call it a career. Kaaya has the pro-style look and played in a pro-style system. He could be a candidate to be Brees’ heir apparent in the Big Easy.

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