2011 NFL Mock Draft: Cameron Heyward a Great Fit for New Orleans Saints

March 29, 2011   ·   Adam Lazarus   ·   Jump to comments

New Orleans Saints Pick Proven Winner In 2011 NFL Mock Draft

Kiper: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

McShay: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Banks: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

Kirwan: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

Rang: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

My take: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

Another pretty streamlined consensus here: the Saints need pass rush help. Especially if Alex Brown leaves via free agency and/or Will Smith’s legal woes get worse.

I don’t see New Orleans going for a player like Houston, who might not pan out as a true defensive end. And Wilkerson might be too much of a long-term project for a unit that needs impact now.

Clayborn and Heyward are similar talents from similar programs in the same conference, but the Buckeye will go before the Hawkeye: As Rang noted, “concerns about Clayborn’s decline in production in 2010 and a medical condition called Erb’s Palsy which Clayborn suffered when being born are given as reasons why this former Hawkeye could slip on draft day.” 

Heyward will go first and should fit nicely into the Saints plans. His Sugar Bowl performance should have thoroughly impress Gregg Williams.