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The New Orleans Saints enter the final two weeks before the NFL Draft kicks off.
Armed with eight picks, the Saints are primed to add talent to the roster and can go a variety of directions given the success of the past two drafts and additions through free agency.
That said, it is essential for readers to remember that mock drafts should never be viewed as an exercise in accuracy.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis revealed during his April 2017 predraft press conference that he prefers to set the team’s draft board in “the 100 to 130 range” and the number of players depends on the year.
Trade scenarios, which are not typically considered with mock drafts, during the NFL's annual three-day selection process will also dramatically alter the landscape as teams jockey for position by moving up or down the draft.
Given the Saints' wide range of choices –– and it can’t be stressed enough –– readers should use a mock draft for educational purposes and learn about numerous draft prospects, all of whom could make sense for the Saints.
Click here to read mock draft version 1.0, and here for version 2.0 and here for version 3.0.
Below is the fourth look at eight potential picks, some repeating from previous versions, for the Saints.



Round 1 (No. 27): DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
With the likes of Michael Thomas, Vonn Bell, Kurt Coleman and Ted Ginn Jr. on the roster, there is no denying the Ohio State connection and success with the Saints.
So, why not dip back in the well here?
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Hubbard totaled 116 tackles (64 solo), including 29.5 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, three passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
Hubbard graduated from college with a degree in finance and was a first-team Academic All-American selection in 2016.
The Saints would also address a position categorized as a “must” to bolster the pass rush.

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SmashMouth

Round 5 (147): WR Keke Coutee, Texas Tech

Love the name ...

K Major

Meh ... Hubbard.

I'd prefer Harold Landry @ 27. His ceiling appears to be higher.

Danno

He's projected as a 4th rounder (ranked 113).. at 27?

Not so thrilled.

EDIT: I was looking at an old ranking. He's projected as a 1st or 2nd rounder.
Looks like a decent product, but more of a high motor guy than a pure athlete.

Overview
Hubbard will pass the eyeball test with his height, weight, and build, but he's missing the plus athleticism to take him over the top as a pass rusher. His tape is solid, but nothing jumps off the screen. Teams looking for a big time edge rusher won't get too excited by him, but he will appeal to defensive coordinators looking for guys with size and motor to plug into a blitz-heavy, twist-happy defense. Hubbard could become an early starter as a strong-side defensive end for a 4-3 defense.

Strengths
Plays with consistent pad level and good bend at point of attack
Attacks with square pads and a wide, balanced base
Sinks hips and braces up with arm extension when setting the edge
Possesses good football intelligence and is very aware
Quick to spot play-action
Has stick-and-move hands to punch and peek past the blocker to find the football
Motor takes him to plays that others will quit on
Always finds himself in tackle-ready position and usually finishes
Expert level hand fighter as pass rusher
Will throw three or four straight slaps and chops to prevent tackle from getting his punch locked in
Shows tackles a strong charge before unleashing an effective spin counter back inside

Weaknesses
More worker bee than twitchy athlete
Burst to the ball is just average
Doesn't get early wins at the point of attack
Pursuit speed is just average and he'll come up just short of the tackle at times
Can be a little tight when trying to corner and flatten as a pass rusher
Can be run up and past the quarterback
Arc-runner rather than move-maker as a rusher
Below average conversion of speed-to-power


Sources Tell Us
"I think he's going to end up being a good pro. He plays hard all the time. He just needs to add a little more muscle and find a go-to move that he can win with as a rusher and he'll be a consistent starter for years." -- NFC team director of college scouting

ChrisXVI

Hubbard would be ok. Solid but unspectacular... Which is all we can really ask for picking late in a draft devoid of top-end talent. He’d be pretty similar to Okafor in that he’s not a big stat producer but he’s balanced.

Danno

Agreed. He looks like a guy who will probably have a solid career, but never be outstanding.

Brian Young kind of player?

saintsfan1976

Harold Landry is my #1 choice. In reality He’s a fringe first rounder but his speed off the edge will be enough to have someone take him top 20.

If he makes it to Buffalo I hope we trade up.

mikesaintfan

I've seen some mock draft that have us trading way up for a QB, How far up would we be willing to go for Chub to bolster the pass rush?

Rugby Saint II

Just make sure we draft O-line early...........