New Orleans Saints 17' Draft: 5 players in 5 bowl games through 2016.
The Saints will be keeping an eye on the college bowl games this week. There are five games that have players that may end up in the Black and Gold uniform. Here is the list in no particular order by bowl game.
Next: Pinstripe Bowl: Pitt vs. Northwestern
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: The Boston College Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions compete in the 2014 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2014 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Pinstripe Bowl is played later today at Yankee Stadium at 2 p.m. on ESPN. The Saints will be keeping an eye on LB Anthony Walker Jr. in this one. Equally important, Anthony stands at 6-foot-1 and 235 lbs. Walker could be the first player to leave the Wildcats early in 20 years. He’s nicknamed “Little Ant” for his stingy play. Walker finished with 122 tackles in 2016 which was third in the Big Ten. He’s also All American and first-team All-Big Ten. By the same token, Walker didn’t come in highly touted, but now he’s known around the national circles.
October 8, 2016: TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Kenny Hill (7) delivers a pass in the third quarter of a Big 12 matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and Kansas Jayhawks at Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. TCU won 24-23. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Quarterback Kenny Hill has went down quite a bumpy road to TCU. Remember Kenny Hill at Texas A & M in 2014 when he threw for 23 TD’s against only 8 interceptions. Now its simply Kenny Hill 2.0. Hill will likely go undrafted in the draft upcoming. However, there is something about this kid that is attractive.
Hill had the impossible task of taking over for Johnny Manziel but then trouble started. In the end, Hill transferred to TCU and has made some progress. By and large, Hill needs work. Hill may end up staying another year as well. That being said, this guy has the toughness and has already proven himself worthy in the SEC early on. The question is can he find that Kenny Hill again? This would be surely a long term project if Drew Brees decides to stay on for another 3-4 years. Just someone to watch.
November 7, 2015: South Alabama Jaguars tight end Gerald Everett (12) dives into the endzone during the Idaho Vandals at South Alabama Jaguars game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
Gerald Everett is an interesting prospect that comes out of South Alabama. Everett is thought to come out anywhere from the 3rd to 4th round according to WalterFootball.com.
Everett is 6-foot-4 and 240 lbs. and can run a 4.68 40 yard dash. Everett is averaging around 50 catches a season with a nice14 yard per catch average. He’s also averaged about six TD’s the last two seasons. Additionally, Everett has a slender body type and has a unique way of finding open spots. Everett likes to lean off his plant foot and has made some acrobatic catches. Scouts are starting to come around on Everett because of his active hands as a blocker too. A tight end may not be a high priority for the Saints but there is always a possibility.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 29: Head Coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles disagree with officials on a call during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 29, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. Clemson defeated Florida State 37 to 34. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Walker is the real deal. This defensive lineman could realistically be the Saints first pick. Walker came back to play another year to improve his draft status. Certainly, Walker has done that. Walker has earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He had 64 tackles, 15 sacks, and 17.5 tackles for a loss. The 15 sacks are tied for the NCAA this season. The Saints will be watching his performance closely as this could be their #1 pick.
COLLEGE STATION, TX – NOVEMBER 24: LSU Tigers helmet sits on the bench at Kyle Field on November 24, 2016 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Malachi Dupre is surely known around bayou country in these parts. Dupre is expected to go somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd round. Dupre is 6-foot-3 and 190 lbs and has 34 receptions for 454 yards. Dupre really got the short end of the stick being in Baton Rouge with all the uncertainty with the coaching rumors. Furthermore, the quarterback didn’t help his stock as well. LSU fans though will be watching this one. In spite of this, the Saints may wanna take a close look at him. Who Dat Nation knows Sean Payton will no doubt pick a wide receiver in the draft. That’s an easy bet.
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