Updated Saints mock draft after the Sean Payton trade
By Josh Wilson
Saints mock draft: First-round selection is DT, Calijah Kancey at 30 overall
The Saints need a quarterback. Unfortunately, what they got back in the Denver deal does not put them in a position to add the likes of C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young. And at 30 overall, Hendon Hooker would be a massive reach considering he’s coming off an injury.
So, the other big area of need the Saints can fill is defensive tackle. Calijah Kancey was Nick Underhill’s pick right after the Payton trade, and who am I to argue with a top Saints expert?
Kancey had 1.5 tackles per game this year for Pitt and bested his previous season-high sack mark with 7.5 in 2022 (ranked fifth in the ACC). He also had 14.5 tackles for loss which was fourth in the ACC. His 2022 performance earned him the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Repeatedly, Kancey has been praised for his speed and ability to frazzle offensive linemen on the interior to get to the quarterback. With some pro-level coaching, he’ll be able to take his pass-rushing game to the next level.