NFL Draft 2019: New Orleans Saints full mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 3 – No Pick
This pick was traded for Teddy Bridgewater and now belongs to the New York Jets. It was a risky move but one that needed to be made. Bridgewater resigned with the Saints this offseason on a one-year deal. He provides insurance should Drew Brees go down with an injury. Do not be surprised to see him stick around longer than that one year if there is a hint Brees is hanging it up any time soon.
Round 4 – No Pick
This pick was traded for Eli Apple and now belongs to the other New York team, the Giants. Apple was a first round pick only three years ago but labeled a bust. With a new home and new defense he looks the part of a former first rounder. He’s a good second option next to Marshon Lattimore and gives New Orleans a pair of good solid corner entering next season.
Round 5 – 168
Mark Fields, CB, Clemson
The arrival and solid play of Apple should not be enough for the Saints. They need to find more cover corners in this draft even without a lot of picks. Clemson’s Mark Fields is an ascending prospect that makes sense for New Orleans. Fields has the traits of a starting corner in the NFL. During his time at Clemson he did not see the field on a consistent basis but when he did he was an elite cover corner.
The fact he played so sparingly should give teams some concerns. On the tape though he is a long physical corner with great top end speed and solid ball skills. As a developmental corner, he’d be tasked with learning from the rest of the group and honing his skills. By his second or third year Fields should be a regular contributor to the secondary.