NFL Mock Draft Simulator: Saints Strengthen the Defensive Line at No. 29

Simulating the New Orleans Saints 2023 Mock Draft class from PFF.

New Orleans has a few critical holes to fill and depth to add via the 2023 NFL Draft. Mickey Loomis, Jeff Ireland, and the scouts will be ready to select the right fit for the Saints at No. 29. Still, trading out of the spot to move down into the second round and acquire additional picks is not out of the question.

SNN is giving our first installment using the PFF draft simulator. We had several trade offers from the Chiefs, Falcons, and Cardinals but chose to accept extra picks in the later rounds.

We allowed the robots to make their picks but manually chose our players based on positional needs in the first four rounds. The later rounds were to provide depth during the season while hopefully landing a "draft gem."

Round 1: Pick 29 - Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (Grade: A-)

The PFF Big Board graded Smith at No. 33. Smith has the athleticism and temperament for the defensive tackle position that would complement the interior presence of Malcolm Roach, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, and Prince Emili. Our friend Mike Detillier also thinks highly of Smith—another Big Blue player who may battle his old teammate guard Cesar Ruiz at practices.

Football Gameplan's Emory Hunt evaluates Smith's strengths:

"Has upside potential as a one-gap penetrator. He really gets movement in a 1-on-1 situation where he is asked to get up field..."

His weaknesses:

"Doesn't always play up to the level of power I know he has. Too often, he's getting moved off the spot by a single OL or by a double team, in which he'll have to be much more consistent at splitting..."

Nov 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: Pick 40 - Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC (Grade A-)

The PFF Big Board graded the Trojan at NO. 42. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein says Tuipulotu possesses "the rare blend of size, strength, and athleticism to line up as an interior or edge defender in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. Tuipulotu plays with a go-go motor from the first snap to the last." He can make the Saints squad as a backup to Cam Jordan, Payton Turner, Carl Granderson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon. If drafted, the AP first-team All-American will compete against Jabari Zuniga out of Florida, who also stands at 6-3. Tuli was disruptive and productive as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. He'll be an excellent catch for defensive coordinator Joe Woods to mold.

Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (RB02) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: Pick 71 - Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M (Grade B)

The PFF Big Board graded the Trojan at NO. 71. New Orleans will host the Aggie running back for an up-and-close visit with Pete Carmichael and running backs coach Joel Thomas. At 5-9, he destroyed the Bayou Bengals in the season finale by rushing 38 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns. 

He wasn't called on to be a pass catcher in College Station. However, in the passing game, Carmichael can utilize his explosiveness and agility against linebackers or nickel corners. Should Kamara be suspended by the NFL, Achane should be able to fill the void - to a point.

Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees (OL47) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4: Pick 115 - Andrew Vorhees, G, USC (Grade A-)

The PFF Big Board graded the massive USC guard at NO. 115. New Orleans' interior offensive linemen have been "dinged up" quite a bit over the past few seasons. Vorhees could start as a solid backup player, but he has starter potential.

Clemson tight end Davis Allen (84) runs after a catch near North Carolina defensive back Lejond Cavazos (6) during the first quarter of the ACC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, Dec 3, 2022. Clemson Tigers Football Vs North Carolina Tar Heels Acc Championship Charlotte Nc

Round 5: Pick 146 - Davis Allen, TE, Clemson (Grade B)

The PFF Big Board graded the Tigers' tight end at No. 140. The 2023 NFL Draft prospects at tight end are ideal for teams who need a Day 1 contributor. Clemson's 6-5 and 245-pound tight end Davis Allen is a prototypical player with catching and blocking abilities. 

"For a bigger-bodied tight end, he does a really good job of sinking his hips when getting in and out of his breaks. His route running underneath is solid.  Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, and Adam Trautman would love to have him in the tight ends corps.

Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (QB02) reacts after participating in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5: Pick 165 - Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia (Grade C-)

The PFF Big Board graded the two-time National Champion signal-caller at No. 172. Sorry, guys, I must disagree. Some are concerned about his age and maturity. Huh? Watch the tape. I don't see him as another Baker Mayfield or Johnny Manziel. He's won at the highest level in college football - twice. 

Forget the measurables; Bennett's a quality pick in the fifth round.

LB Aubrey Miller Jr., Jackson State; Mandatory Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Round 7: Pick 227 - Aubrey Miller, Jr., LB, Jackson State (Grade C+)

The PFF Big Board graded the 2022 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year at No. 228. Watching this young man for two seasons as I covered HBCU football, and being side-by-side with him on the football field, Aubrey Miller, Jr. is a sinister force! He loves to hit and mix it up amid the scrum. 

He would be the perfect successor to Demario Davis, should he ever hang up his cleats in New Orleans. Plus, his former coach Deion Sanders loved Miller. The Senior Bowl linebacker will be gone by Round 7, but if he falls into the Saints' lap, he will be a steal.

CB Kahlef Hailassie; Credit: Western Kentucky Athletics

Round 7: Pick 257 - Kahlef Hailassie, CB, Western Kentucky (Grade B+)

The PFF Big Board graded the Trojan at No. 260. Another stealthy grab in the seventh round with the 6-1 and 200-pound defensive back from the Hilltoppers. In 2022, Kahlef was a second-team All-Conference USA selection with two interceptions, three sacks, and three touchdowns.

His Western Kentucky bio states: "He was a disrupter in both the offensive and defensive backfields all season, making 65 tackles from his corner position, eight of them being for loss. Hailassie recorded a sack in each of WKU's first three games of the year. He recorded two interceptions on the year, both in wins over FIU and UAB."

New Orleans can use another instinctual defensive back after trading Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Eagles. 

The second installment of our simulated Saints Mock Draft will be published on Wednesday, Apr. 12.