Saints Should Ride a Green Wave Through 2023 Draft
A portion of the New Orleans Saints fan base gets upset every year because their team rarely drafts players from LSU. The Saints have drafted only nine LSU players in their 56-year history and just three in the last 25 years.
Former Tigers like WR Kayshon Boutte and DT Jaquelin Roy could hear their names called as early as Day 2 in this year’s draft. There's another collegiate program even more local to New Orleans that's received even less attention from the franchise.
Tulane University has sent its fair share of talent to the NFL over the years. The Saints have drafted just seven Tulane players in their franchise history and none since 1982. Only two of those seven were selected before the since-eliminated 10th round. Just one of those seven, RB Marvin Lewis (6th round in 1982), ever played a game for the Saints. Lewis appeared in one game for New Orleans during the 1982 season.
After a historic 12-2 finish and Cotton Bowl win last season, the Green Wave is again on the national radar. Here are two of their players that would fill big needs for the Saints in the 2023 draft.
RB - Tyjae Spears
Tulane (Jr.)
5'10" 201-Lbs.
Jan 2, 2023; Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears (22) runs the ball against the USC Trojans during the 2023 Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
A star at Ponchatoula High School, Spears stayed in-state to take his talents to Tulane. He'd redshirt in 2019, but still had 37 touches for 325 yards and two scores over five games.
An ACL injury cost Spears the last nine games of 2020, but he had 39 touches for 304 yards over the first three contests. He'd rebound to lead the Green Wave in rushing in 2021, picking up 863 yards and scoring nine touchdowns.
Spears was a huge part of the best Tulane season in program history in 2022. He had 1,581 rushing yards on 229 carries and 19 touchdowns, leading the American Athletic Conference in all three categories on his way to the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. His 205 rushing yards and four scores in the Cotton Bowl win over USC allowed him to cap off his collegiate career as the Cotton Bowl MVP.
A slightly undersized back, there are questions whether Spears can be a consistent power runner at the next level. He's not overly creative, which was especially evident when there was backfield penetration or initial cutback lanes clogged in college. His lean build might not withstand the pounding of a featured back.
Spears lacks the elite long speed of a top home run threat. His experience as a receiver is a bit limited, catching just 41 passes in two years as a featured back. He'll have to show he can take on an expanded role as a pass catcher and relies too much on cut blocks in pass protection.
Dec 3, 2022; Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears (22) rushes against UCF Knights defenders back Jarvis Ware (24) and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (11). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
Spears rocketed up draft boards over the last month of the year and in post-season competitions. With good reason. He has instant acceleration to explode through interior lanes or to get off tackle. His excellent vision and anticipation allows him to identify alternate rushing lanes.
Not a prototype power runner, Spears still fights through tackles for extra yards and keeps good pad leverage. He'll get skinny through creases and defenders rarely get a square hit on him. He's extremely decisive, but can freeze tacklers with fakes and his sharp-cutting ability.
Spears has terrific hands in the passing game and is a lethal weapon on screens and check-down passes. His football IQ should allow him to take on an expanded role in that area. Once in the open, Spears has a variety of moves and the speed to turn short gains into big plays.
Tyjae Spears was a probable Day 3 pick midway through the college season. Now, it wouldn't be surprising if he were drafted in the second round and almost certainly will not make it out of Day 2. Spears should be an immediate contributor as a versatile change-of-pace back and will open up offenses with his ability to do so many things.
Nov. 25, 2022; Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears (22) beats Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) on a touchdown run. © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
With Saints RB Alvin Kamara facing a lengthy suspension in 2023, adding Spears with free-agent signee Jamaal Williams would give New Orleans a productive 1-2 backfield combo while he's out.
A late-season surge shot Spears up the draft boards. His Green Wave teammate came into the offseason with less notoriety, but has the skills to be one of the steals of the draft.
LB - Dorian Williams
Tulane (Sr.)
6'1" 228-Lbs.
Oct 24, 2020; Tulane Green Wave linebacker Dorian Williams (24) tackles UCF Knights running back Otis Anderson. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY
After seeing light backup duty as a freshman in 2019, Williams has been an impact defender for the Green Wave for the last three seasons. In 2020, he had 4 sacks and led the American Athletic Conference in tackles for loss (16.5), total tackles (97), and solo stops (64). His tackles for loss and solo stops were second across the FBS.
Williams had three stops for loss among a team-high 73 total tackles in 2021, albeit for a 2-10 squad. He'd close out his Green Wave career as a star part of a resurgent defense in 2022. Williams had 132 total tackles (tops in the conference), which included 81 solo stops (third in FBS), a team-high 8.5 for loss and five sacks, and 2 interceptions. He had 17 tackles in the Cotton Bowl and was awarded the game's MVP.
Over his last three seasons, Williams recorded 9.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss among an impressive 316 total stops. He blazed a 4.49 40 time and 1.54 10-yard split at the NFL Scouting Combine. Both figures were near the top of all participating linebackers.
Sep 18, 2021; Tulane Green Wave linebacker Dorian Williams (2) recovers a fumble against the Mississippi Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
While more than willing, Williams lacks the bulk and upper body strength to take on blockers head-on in run support. Due to his build, he'll be limited to weakside duties in base or middle linebacker in passing situations. His angles in pursuit can be a little undisciplined.
Built like a safety with the matching athleticism, Williams will also have to improve his read-and-react skills in zone coverage. At times it looks like he doesn't trust his instincts, which can make him a step slower to make plays.
Williams is very much a modern-era linebacker, but with an old-school mentality. He's adept at both man an zone coverage with the fluid athleticism to stay with any receiver and ball skills of a defensive back. He's also a disruptive blitzer with excellent timing on delayed rushes.
Tenacious in pursuit, Williams has tremendous closing speed on the ball and has a relentless sideline-to-sideline motor. Despite his size, he's able to stay on the field in every situation and be a factor against run and pass.
Sep 17, 2022; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Malik Knowles (4) is tackled by Tulane Green Wave linebacker Dorian Williams (2). Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Dorian Williams is projected to come off the board between the third and fifth round. He should be an immediate contributor on passing downs in coverage or as a blitzer and also on special teams. Williams shows the upside to develop into a starter on the weakside with the athleticism to move to the middle in nickel packages.
After losing Kaden Elliss in free agency, the Saints have no proven LB depth behind 34-year-old Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Williams brings the type of sideline-to-sideline ability that New Orleans covets at the position.
