2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting What Could Happen in the First Round
11. Saints: Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback
Top Needs: TE, ILB, OLB, CB
The New Orleans Saints had yet another horrendous ranking in opponent-adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play, third-worst in the league this year. They’ll finally address that problem area when they select possibly the best cornerback in the draft, another defensive back out of Ohio State: Marshon Lattimore.
Lattimore has rocketed up draft boards recently. He has elite size and speed, plays man and zone, can play press or off-man, is a sure tackler and an excellent ball tracker. Despite just one year of starting experience, Lattimore will become the clear top cornerback the Saints need.
According to PFF, quarterbacks targeting Lattimore had a passer rating of just 30.2 when targeting him last year -- fourth-lowest among cornerbacks targeted at least 40 times. He racked up 41 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9 passes defended in 13 games last year. He’s an out-and-out lockdown star in the making.
