Saints Can Find High Middle-Round Value at DT

Most expect New Orleans to draft a defensive tackle with their first or second round selections. If they wait, there are a few talented interior defenders who will be available in later rounds.

The New Orleans Saints were abysmal against the run last season. Many of those struggles were because of a defensive tackle spot that was unable to control the line of scrimmage. New Orleans defensive tackles were also responsible for just 13.5 of the team’s 94 sacks over the last two years. 

David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Kentavius Street all departed as free agents this offseason. The team signed free agent tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders as replacements. While are disruptive players against the run and pass, the depth chart is still thin.

Most expect New Orleans to address this area with a first or second round choice. If they don't, there are still some quality tackles deep into the draft. Baylor's Siaki Ika, Karl Brooks of Bowling Green, and Florida's Gervon Dexter are players we've already profiled who could come off the board in Day 2.  

Here are two more prospects to watch on the defensive interior later in the draft. 

DT - Keeanu Benton 

Wisconsin (Sr.)

6'4" 309-Lbs.

Nov 27, 2021; Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) sacks Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2). Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

An in-state native and Wisconsin state championship wrestling contender, Benton was a four-year contributor for the Badgers. As a reserve in 2019 and 2020, he'd record just 21 tackles but 19 QB pressures, 4 stops for loss, and 2 sacks. 

Benton's 2021 campaign resulted in 2nd Team All-Big 10 recognition after 2.5 sacks, 21 pressures, and five stops for loss. His 2022 was even better statistically, as he finished with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss among 36 total stops.

Benton is very limited as a pass rusher, perhaps so much that he'll only be an early down and short yardage contributor. He doesn't offer much in the way of pass rush moves or counters. His open field speed is below average, so he won't make many plays on the second level. 

Not explosive off the snap, Benton gets penetration off of raw power. He'll be double teamed often in the run game because of his mass, so will have to play with a good base and better pad level to keep from getting pushed backwards.  

Benton's wresting background is evident on the football field. His technique wins as many battles as his strength. He'll fight through the whistle and make a blocker earn every inch. He doesn't disengage quickly, but has the raw strength to move blockers laterally to block a running lane.

While not a flashy pass rusher, Benton can push a pass pocket back into a quarterback. His motor gets him a lot of extra-effort pressures. However, he also has the quickness to be effective on stunts and twists. He's rarely moved in the run game, causing at worst a stalemate on the interior. 

Nov 26, 2022; Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) sacks Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY

A probable Day 2 selection, Benton could potentially be available in the third round because of his lack of pass rush production. This is a short-sighted view, and he could even be a sneaky first-round choice by a team looking for a big-bodied gap stuffer. While he'll never be a double-digit sack producer, he can cause enough disruption to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and tie up blockers for teammates to make plays.

Keeanu Benton should be an instant contributor against the run, an area where New Orleans struggled last season. He's a run-stuffer that will offer underrated push against the pass and be a valuable part of an interior rotation. 

DT - Zacch Pickens 

South Carolina (Sr.)

6'4" 291-Lbs.

Jan 31, 2023; South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (3) battles with TCU offensive lineman Steve Avila (79) Senior Bowl practice. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY

Pickens was a top-10 national recruit that stayed in-state to play for the Gamecocks and contributed as a backup as a true freshman. His role increased in 2020 with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss among 35 total stops.

Continued progression was shown by Pickens in 2021, as he recorded 4 with 15 pressures, 4 sacks and five stops for loss. His 2022 saw a dip in sacks (2.5), but he still had 19 pressures and five tackles for loss among a career-high 42 total tackles. 

Pickens is just an average athlete and isn't much of a factor in sideline-to-sideline pursuit. He'll need to add more upper-body strength and could get overwhelmed by double-teams until he does. He struggled against double-team blocking throughout college, leading to inconsistent production. 

As a pass rusher, Pickens lacks signature dominant moves and has few counters when his initial rush is stymied. His pad level needs to be consistently lower.  Opposing blockers can often get underneath and stand him up. He's solid as a run defender, but isn't a stereotypical space-eater in the middle. 

Pickens has a thick lower body which allows him to set a sturdy base and makes him difficult to move off point. That anchor makes him strong against the run, especially versus one-on-one blocking. He combines that by firing off the snap with nice leverage, allowing him to seal off initial rushing lanes.

Excellent non-stop hand movement makes Pickens a difficult block against the run or pass. He moves well laterally and shows good recognition of opposing offenses. That awareness gives him a better upside as a pass rusher, where he'll also gain advantage with quickness off the snap.

Nov 6, 2021; Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) is sacked by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (6). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Likely a third or fourth-round pick, Zacch Pickens offers defenses a high floor, but perhaps a limited ceiling. He isn't dominant in any aspect of the game, but shows solid all-around skills to be a productive part of a rotation. 

New Orleans has struggled along their defensive interior for the last two seasons. If they pass on a tackle at picks 29 and 40, players like Benton, Pickens, Ika, or Dexter would be solid additions to their inside rotation. 

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