Saints Need to Look at Louisiana Talent in the Draft
More “Corner”-stones in the Secondary
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) reacts after making a defensive play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The secondary was another sore subject when discussing the Saints the past few seasons with cornerback Delvin Breaux being the only highlight after injury ravaged the unit once again and taking starter Keenan Lewis out of the picture.
That left free agent pickup Brandon Browner to be forced into covering speedy wide receivers which either resulted in huge plays, penalties, or both.
Up until Friday the need for another corner maybe didn’t seem necessary until news broke that Browner was being released after only one season following a farewell message he posted on social media.
This could push up the need for a cornerback just a bit which the Saints may have been looking at already after seeing that beyond Lewis and Breaux, there are question marks at depth with Damian Swann suffering multiple concussions and 2015 draft selection P.J. Williams going through essentially a redshirt season.
LSU’s Jalen Mills and Southeastern Louisiana University’s Harlan Miller are two prospects at cornerback the Saints could grab in the mid-rounds of the draft.
Oct 18, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver T.V. Williams (82) in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Kentucky 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Mills (6-1, 194 pounds) has been projected as high as the second round and his performance at the Senior Bowl could put him in that range after showing to be tight in coverage and only beaten once which he said was due mainly to “bad technique” according to The Advertiser.
The unique thing about Mills is that he has actually played safety in addition to cornerback during his time in Baton Rouge which only adds to his versatility in a secondary unit.
This could be a huge benefit for the Saints who seem to have been bitten by the injury bug at both safety and corner over the last two seasons.
Next: Pop Open a Cold One, Because.....