2015 NFL Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints Select DE/OLB Shane Ray at No. 13

With the No. 13 pick in the DBN 2015 NFL Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select...

Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri

The selection and write-up were made by TuckJob:

With the 13th pick, the Saints are proud to select Shane Ray, joining former standouts Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson and Kony Ealy. Let alone that those names listed above could form the core of a ferocious defense, now you can add yet another to the list. The 14.5 sacks he amassed in 2014 are a school single-season record and ranked third nationally. His 22.5 tackles for loss also ranked third nationally.

Ferocious is the exact word I'd use to describe Ray. He's not the tallest, longest, largest, fastest edge guy in this draft but he consistently made plays and hurried QBs with his good rushing technique  and a never ending motor that seems to run at supernova. He's easily the BPA in the draft at this point which makes this pick an easy one for me.

Ray does have his shortcomings though. On tape you can see him get swallowed up at times by athletic guards/tackles with good balance and if his first step is matched he can be contained. He can also be eaten up on occasion in the run game nod his bull rush leave a lot to be desired. Usually though, when you thought he was disappearing and fading from the game his motor would take over and he's outwork a tackle and create a big play either for him or another front four of Missouri.

For the Saints this makes sense. He's BPA, he will help out a defense that wasn't all that great last year. With five picks in the top 3 rounds the Saints have a golden opportunity to acquire multiple players at various positions that can help contribute now and in the future. I struggled with drafting Oline for a while, but found the value just wasn't there to draft an interior lineman this high. So Shane given all these reasons made the most sense to me.

The Saints have taken a different approach this offseason, trading away a few core assets in the passing game to acquire some players who can help them run the ball. They also need another culture change on defense, and getting a solid pass rusher is a good start.

The Miami Dolphins are up next, led by Brocolis154033.

2015 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)