Fansided

2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams

By Conor Dorney

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Jones of Duke reacts after being chosen #6 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Jones of Duke reacts after being chosen #6 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 24: Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 24, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #11 Ranked Florida Gators defeated the Florida State Seminoles 41 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 24: Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 24, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #11 Ranked Florida Gators defeated the Florida State Seminoles 41 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints

Grade: B+

Best pick: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S, Florida)

Questionable pick: Alize Mack (TE, Notre Dame)

Sleeper pick: Erik McCoy (C, Texas A&M)

New Orleans found themselves suddenly in the market for a new center following the unexpected retirement of Max Unger, and were able to get one with the 48th overall pick in Texas A&M’s Erik McCoy. McCoy was considered by many to be a first-round talent and the Saints undoubtedly got excellent value in being able to pick him in the middle of the second round. As one of the more pro-ready offensive line prospects in the class, McCoy should be able to step in right away and become a valuable contributor to Sean Payton’s offensive line.

Another player some thought would wind up in the first round discussion was Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. But after miraculously lasting until the beginning of the fourth round, the Saints were wise to scoop him up with pick number 105. Gardner-Johnson is a big, versatile defensive back who can play at safety or nickel and should be a valuable asset in sub packages for the Saints defense. That kind of versatility and big-hitting tendencies are an absolute steal in the fourth round no matter how you look at it.

It’s tough to really call a seventh-round pick questionable but that’s a bit of the case with Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack. Unfortunately for the Saints, they lacked the draft capital this season to capitalize on the strong tight end class in the middle rounds so had to settle instead for Mack, who is a bit of a boom-or-bust type prospect.

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