2017 NFL Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints Select DT Jonathan Allen at No. 11

With the 11th pick in the 2017 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select...

Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama

The selection and write-up were made by makeaplay59:

This would be a great pick for the Saints, as long as the medicals check out. From what I have been able to find, his shoulders should not be a problem in the near future, and the potential risk is worth the reward at pick 11.

This pick fits both Best Player Available and need. The Saints are a top five offense, but their bottom 5 defense keeps them from making the playoffs consistently.

Allen would improve the Saints' d-line rotation of Cameron Jordan, Nick Fairley, and Sheldon Rankins (although another edge rusher would help too). He can play inside and out, and is outstanding both against the run as well as an interior pass rusher. His great motor and consistent play would help the struggling Saints defense tremendously.

Pokorny: There was a point when Allen was a toss-up for the No. 1 pick between he and Myles Garrett. Then, it seemed likely he’d go Top-2. Then it became Top-5. Now we’re seeing whether he can even make the Top 10. Hardly any mock drafts have him going to the Saints, but that seems like more of a byproduct that they don’t quite think he’ll fall this far. If he does, it’s a good addition for a Saints defense that hasn’t been able to master the game of defense for a long time.

The Cleveland Browns are up next, led by mrwhitman.