NFC South: Best And Worst Draft Picks By Every Team

New Orleans Saints

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Andrus Peat (Stanford) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 13th overall pick to the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Best Pick: ILB Stephone Anthony, Clemson

New Orleans couldn’t stop the run last year. After taking offensive lineman Andrus Peat earlier in the round, the Saints picked up Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony with the 31st overall pick.

Anthony is well built for the position at 6’3, 243 pounds. He’s an athletic player with good speed. He is a strong tackler and will help the Saints in run defense.

They will also get help from Anthony defending the pass. His athleticism and speed is matched with good coverage skills. Anthony fills a need for the Saints, and also fits well at pick No. 31.

Worst Pick: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford

Now there is absolutely no question that Andrus Peat can be a great player. And there’s no doubt he will be the long-term starter in New Orleans and will be an important piece to the offense going forward.

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But here’s the reason I don’t love this pick. The Saints’ offense is strong already. Did they need an offensive lineman? Sure. Could they have waited until later on? I think so.

For a defense that struggled so much in 2014, it seemed strange to pass on the likes of Arik Armstead, Marcus Peters, Kevin Johnson and Bud Dupree with the 13th overall pick. Either four of those players could have helped the defense in some way.

Peat has the potential to lock down a spot at tackle for years to come in New Orleans, but Drew Brees’ window is closing, and they could have added a game-changer on defense here.

Next: Carolina Panthers