Who would you take at #9 in this scenario

[Shotgunred]

I watched a mock draft podcast on youtube with this result:

1. Titans QB Cam Ward
2. Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
3. Giants Edge Abdul Carter
4. Patriots CB Travis Hunter
5. Jaguars DT Mason Graham
6. Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
7. Jets TE Tyler Warren
8. Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

They had the Saints selecting Will Campbell in this scenario. I personally would hate for the draft to fall like this, but I can see it as a real possibility. What would you select in this case?

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

He’s elite in run defense and rushing, above average in coverage. 117 tackles, 5 sacks and 12 TFLs in 2024. He has the quickness to defend athletic QBs and explosive RBs. He’d upgrade LB2 and become Davis’ LB1 heir in 2026 when Davis is a FA/likely retires. Second level of the front 7 remains strong with an experienced ILB there, which helps the uncertainty of the DL.

 

[Nightshade]

I watched a mock draft podcast on youtube with this result:

1. Titans QB Cam Ward
2. Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
3. Giants Edge Abdul Carter
4. Patriots CB Travis Hunter
5. Jaguars DT Mason Graham
6. Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
7. Jets TE Tyler Warren
8. Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

They had the Saints selecting Will Campbell in this scenario. I personally would hate for the draft to fall like this, but I can see it as a real possibility. What would you select in this case?

Campbell's arms are too short for OT and 9 is way to high i would go Membou at OT or Mikel Williams edge or Jalon Walker.

 

[MG3n2K5]

Edge Rusher OLB out of Georgia Jalon Walker. Looking at both Chase Young & Carl Granderson as OLB's seem more like a 5-2 defense rather than a 3-4 but I see no other starter level OLB's on the team. Like what Walker would add to the mix. I do think Panthers would take him over Tet though, in that case I go Membou.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Edge Rusher OLB out of Georgia Jalon Walker. Looking at both Chase Young & Carl Granderson as OLB's seem more like a 5-2 defense rather than a 3-4 but I see no other starter level OLB's on the team. Like what Walker would add to the mix. I do think Panthers would take him over Tet though, in that case I go Membou.

Seconded.

 

[Tulsa Saint]

I doubt the jets take Warren over an OL and there will almost certainly be a surprise pick in the top 8.

 

[nolastyle]

Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

He’s elite in run defense and rushing, above average in coverage. 117 tackles, 5 sacks and 12 TFLs in 2024. He has the quickness to defend athletic QBs and explosive RBs. He’d upgrade LB2 and become Davis’ LB1 heir in 2026 when Davis is a FA/likely retires. Second level of the front 7 remains strong with Campbell there, which helps the uncertainty of the DL.

I love Campbell, but he just had major shoulder surgery after the combine to repair a torn labrum. #9 might be too high for him and his health risk. Recurrence rates for that specific injury can be as much as 50%, and LBs are impacting with their shoulders a ton during games obviously.

In this scenario, I want Jalon Walker first, Johnson/Barron (whoever the Saints have rated higher) second, or Mike Green third if his character concerns check out.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Edge that high seems redundant now after re-signing Chase to 17M/yr. There’s two Edge rushers making over 13M+ a year. They’re 26 and 28 and both signed through 2028. They were top 10 in hurries & top 20 in pressures in 2024. Foskey will also get decent snaps in a better rush scheme for him while he’s still developing as a recent draft pick.

You can never have too many good Edge rushers. But #9 seems really high for a rotational 3rdA/3rdB edge rusher. In comparison, ILB has a 36 year old former All-Pro who has 1 year remaining and a mostly average LB2 who has steady play but 3rd LB level if there’s another bonafide starting LB.

 

[AdamWest]

Would be SHOCKED if Carolina went Tet.

 

[nolastyle]

Edge seems redundant now after re-signing Chase to 17M/yr. There’s two Edges making over 13M+ a year. They’re 26 and 28 and both signed through 2028. Foskey will get decent snaps while he’s still developing as a recent draft pick.

You can never have too many good Edge rushers. But #9 is high for a rotational 3rd edge rusher. In comparison, ILB has a 36 year old former All-Pro who has 1 year remaining and a mostly average LB2.

Walker can play edge or off-ball. He can learn from DD his rookie year while playing spot duty off-ball and at edge, and take over off-ball once Davis is no longer on the team.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Absolutely not
Will Campbell
Mykel Williams

Meh
Jalen Walker

 

[soggymoss84]

Jalon Walker

He can play all 4 linebacker positions in a 3-4. Triplett brought up a good point with him though, being 6-1 240 Ireland won’t have a good grade on him as he prefers bigger linebackers.

I would absolutely try to trade down though for someone wanting a tackle.

 

[Shotgunred]

I would be looking to trade down if this is how it shakes out. Will Johnson makes a lot of sense if I had to make the pick

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Walker can play edge or off-ball. He can learn from DD his rookie year while playing spot duty off-ball and at edge, and take over off-ball once Davis is no longer on the team.

Walker has off ball potential. Lack of Mike experience is very concerning though, maybe boom or bust. He shows hesitation in diagnosing plays to be a firm starting ILB right now. He would have the time to develop inside across 2 offseasons since Davis is still here in ‘25. But at #9 he feels like a punted selection to take someone who’ll take time to develop and not immediately contribute anywhere in significant snaps. I’d want a day 1 experienced starter with a top 10 pick after coming off of a 5-12 season.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Really shocked to see so much love for Walker. His tape is nowhere near top 10 level. He's good at both off ball and edge but far from great at either.

Jihaad and Schwasinger are both far better off ball linebackers and Walker is not even a top 5 edge in the class. Give me someone who is great at one position over goodish at two.