NFL mock draft 2017: Quarterbacks dominate first round

Drew Brees is 38 years old. While he remains one of the league’s best players, the end is certainly in sight. If the Saints would like to hoist another Lombardi Trophy or even approach the summit, the time is now to start building a reliable defense. Last year, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen got nothing going, finishing 27th overall in total defense. With two picks in the first round, New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis has to be targeting an immediate-impact player for that side of the ball.

There are a litany of options here including Takkarist McKinley, Haason Reddick and Derek Barnett, and we go the latter route here. Barnett is an All-American and had 22 sacks over his final two seasons with the Volunteers in the SEC. While he might need to add some weight to his 258-pound frame, he would become part of a tough defensive line with Nick Fairley on the interior and Cameron Jordan off the other edge. In a division with Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston and Cam Newton, not hitting the quarterback in lethal. Barnett will help in that department, giving him an inside track to being taken off the board at No. 11.