2016 NFL Mock Draft

Fairley, now under contract (i.e. initially had Malik Jackson signing in mind), okay, let's go...

The flexibility of the signing makes the draft I had in mind still viable and at the end of the day, we roll with Coach Payton and offense...

I've given some details on my selections , along with alternate picks...

R1, S12 (Pick 12) WR Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi; Height: 6' 2"; Weight: 210 lbs.*
• Treadwell is the best wide receiver, playmaker to come out of the college ranks since Julio Jones…
• He’s a big, physical receiver with elite hands and catch radius, often winning contested passes...
• Started immediately as a national top recruit; has competed and been successful against many of the top SEC defensive backs, many now in the NFL…
• Only criticism is his straight-line speed isn’t elite though he's progressed from injury two seasons ago…
• It is worth noting that Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Michael Irving did not have great straight line speed...
• Terrific competitor and skilled downfield blocker; respected teammate and locker room leader...
• By adding Treadwell to the Saints wide receiver corps, you add the best possible candidate to not only replace Colston's reliable receiving skills, but equally important, his leadership and high character…
• Having Treadwell, Cooks and Snead instantly makes the WR corps among the elite in the NFL...
Alternate Selection: DL Vernon Butler, LaTech; Height: 6' 4"; Weight: 323 lbs.

R2, S16 (Pick 47) DB Xavien Howard, Baylor; Height: 6’ 1”; Weight: 200 lbs.
• Now, the Saints have sought a big, physical cornerback for versatility in match-ups, failing the past two years...
• SJB lacked experience and the temperament for the position and Brandon Browner had seen better days...
• Xavien Howard is an ideal candidate who surprised by coming out as an underclassman and probably would be a first rounder with another season…
• Xavien's a big, physical CB with fluid hips, good change of direction (especially for his size), a violent tackler, and has great hands, ball skills.
• Though his straightline 40 yd dash was average, his shuttle drills, and change of direction skills were at the top of this draft class…
• With Keenan Lewis now on the wrong side of 30 and beginning to break down, Delvin Breaux needs a complement…
• Howard’s size and skills would also lend to versatility and allowing him to also play safety…
Alternate Selection: DB Artie Burns, Miami; Height: 6' 0"; Weight: 195 lbs.

R3, S15 (Pick 78) TE Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky; Height: 6' 6"; Weight: 249 lbs.
• Higbee has a terrific blend of height, arm length (33.25 in) and hand size (10.25 in)…
• Converted Wide Receiver who is still able to add quality bulk to his frame…
• Missed four games with knee sprain; came back early for conference championship, re-aggravating injury missing senior game, combine…
• Despite abbreviated season caught 38 receptions for 563 receiving yards and eight (8) touchdowns…
• As a receiver, he’s got the straight line speed to beat linebackers, safeties; good at find the soft zones in the passing game, great catch radius and ability to snatch ball away from body…
• Though a work in progress, Higbee is probably the better of the blocking tight ends in the 2016 draft class…
• Perfect time, place to take this tight end to develop behind recently signed veterans; as he develops, would allow the Saints to avoid escalating cap numbers of vet contracts…
Alternate Selection: FS Darian Thompson, Boise State; Height: 6' 2"; Weight: 208 lbs.

R4, S14 (Pick 112) DE Bronson Kaufusi, Brigham Young; Height: 6’ 6”; Weight: 285 lbs.
• Kaufusi has the prototypical size, weight, arm length and hand size you want in a multi-front LDE…
• Athlete that started out as a TE, Bronson, a coach’s son (Father was his position coach) moved to DE…
• Productive history; 2015: 64 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles; 2014: 43 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five passes broken up and seven sacks while playing injured; 2013: 37 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and a forced fumble.
• Kaufusi is an advanced project who with some pro-coaching can improve by disengaging blocks quicker and adding variation to his pass rush portfolio …
Alternate Selection: NT D.J. Reader, Clemson; Height: 6' 3"; Weight: 327 lbs.

R5, S13 (Pick 152) LB Nick Vigil, Utah State ; Height: 6’ 2”; Weight: 239 lbs.
• Two-time conference first team selection; lead his team with tackles...
• Surprised at combine leading linebacking group in cone and shuttle drills…
• Excellent instincts, ball location, read/react times and plays all out willing to engage larger blockers...
• Good first step in dropping back in coverage, having speed, quickness, anticipation to maintain solid coverage…
• Very good at navigating through crowds to generate an impact play; plays with great game speed…
• Still needs to add size, bulk to his frame, but can come in as a 3rd down back immediately and special teamer…
• Brother was signed as an UDFA at Miami and started two games by end of last season…
Alternate Selection: WR Devon Cajuste, Stanford; Height: 6' 4"; Weight: 234 lbs.

R6, S12 (Pick 187*) TRADED this pick with 2015 Sixth Round Pick traded for DB Damian Swann (2015, R5, S31, Pick 167)

R7, S16 (Pick 237) OG Jordan Rigsbee, California ; Height: 6’ 4”; Weight: 305 lbs.
• Plays with a nasty disposition, violent hands that jolts defenders, plays through the whistle…
• Not a polished pass blocker, but he has the athleticism and tenacity to recover and keep fighting…
• Rigsbee’s an athletic blocker, very good at getting out on screen plays and in pulling on run plays…
• Rigsbee has started at four different positions for Cal; his most natural position is left guard...
Alternate Selection: OG Ted Karras, Illinois; Height: 6' 4"; Weight: 308 lbs.

And it all continues to come together...