Another mock draft, another Alabama defensive lineman to the New Orleans Saints.
Another perfect match.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. paired the Saints with Alabama defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson with the 12th pick in his first mock draft on Thursday. Last month, fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay paired the Saints with Alabama DT Jarran Reed.
Either one works for me.
The Saints need all the help they can get on defense after finishing 31st in the NFL in yards allowed each of the past two years. And the Crimson Tide is producing as much defensive talent as any team in the country after leading the nation in run defense en route to another national championship.
Robinson (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) was a first-team All-American as a junior this past season, with 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Saints fans who also follow LSU closely might remember him as part of the wall that shut down Tigers running back Leonard Fournette earlier this year.
When I’ve ranked the Saints’ draft needs in recent weeks, I’ve listed defensive end and outside linebacker just ahead of cornerback, defensive tackle and safety. But it’s virtually a five-way tie. The Saints need to land any impact player they can find on defense, and they could certainly make room for a disruptive tackle like Robinson or Reed.
The Saints’ starters last year were both decent but unspectacular -- third-year nose tackle John Jenkins and veteran three-technique Kevin Williams. Williams is an unrestricted free agent who turns 36 before the season. So the Saints will be on the lookout for a replacement even if they do bring Williams back.
