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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Barnett. 8. player. 15. . Edge. Tennessee

New Orleans needs some major help in all areas of the defense. The linebackers, defensive line and secondary are all weaknesses, but if Derek Barnett is available with the eighth overall pick, passing on him would be silly.

While I think the biggest need for the Saints is in the secondary, they really can’t go wrong with a selection in the top 10 of any defensive player. Far too often Drew Brees is bailing this team out with 300-plus yard performances and the Saints need to put up 40 points, like they did on Sunday, in order to come out with wins.

Barnett would be an ideal addition to a team in desperate need of an edge rusher. The Saints are rarely getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks which is exposing the secondary even more. Adding Barnett to the mix would create nearly an immediate fix in the edge rusher department, although he can’t do it all on his own.

The Tennessee star is the second-best edge rusher in this class behind Myles Garrett and there are some scouts and draft experts who even believe Barnett is the better prospect. He has 50 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks this season.

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