It's Mock Draft Monday, so where do the New Orleans Saints turn after slipping out of the top 10 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft? Using the PFSN mock draft simulator, we simulated seven rounds of selections to make our picks for the Saints. Remember, free agency comes first. We're working with the assumption that New Orleans addresses their highest-priority team need by signing a veteran edge rusher like Tuli Tuipulotu (who their defensive coordinator Brandon Staley drafted with the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2023) or Uchenna Nwosu (who also played for Staley in 2021). But you never know. Staley may not be on the coaching staff by the time the offseason gets here. Neither could Kellen Moore.

But let's not get too deep into the weeds for a weekly mock draft. Here's how we did:

Round 1, Pick 12: CB Ashton Hampton, Clemson

This was an easy choice. Hampton was the best available defender, with the other players on top of the board being Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, Florida running back Jadan Baugh, and Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson. Hampton has NFL size and speed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, with four interceptions and 23 passes defensed in 33 career games. Pro Football Focus charting has him with 11 forced incompletions this year, leading the nation. The Saints wanted Mansoor Delane in 2026 but getting Hampton in 2027 would be an excellent consolation prize. Kool-Aid McKinstry will be playing in a contract year next season.

Round 2, Pick 42: DL Tavion Gadson, Kentucky

This was tough because some of the best talent on the board fell on the offensive line, like Indiana left tackle Carter Smith and Ohio State right tackle Austin Siereveld (who has started games everywhere but center for the Buckeyes). Gadson missed most of the 2024 season with a knee injury but returned to play at a high level in 2025 and 2026. He was already one of Kentucky's best players last season before breaking out with four tackles for loss, three sacks and 13 quarterback pressures in just six games this year. Nathan Shepherd, Davon Godchaux, and Colby Wooden are all free agents and Bryan Bresee is returning from a season-ending knee injury of his own to play in a contract year.

Round 3, Pick 73: OL Melvin Siani, Texas

There just wasn't an edge rusher or running back I was comfortable taking here. Siani's in-state rival, Texas A&M edge rusher Anto Saka, was available but he hasn't been productive enough to warrant a top-100 pick. Here's your upgrade at swing tackle over Asim Richards. Siani started full seasons at left tackle (for Temple) and right tackle (at Wake Forest) before transferring to Texas, where he has manned the right tackle spot. Taliese Fuaga has regressed under Kellen Moore and his coaching staff so Siani could develop into a replacement if that trend continues. Ideally Fuaga recovers and plays well with Siani coming in off the bench as the sixth man on game days.

Round 4, Pick 109: RB Isaac Brown, Louisville

A couple of quarterbacks were on top of the board here (LaNorris Sellers, Jayden Maiava, and Brendan Sorsby), but it really came down to two running backs: Georgia Tech's Justice Haynes and Louisville's Isaac Brown. Brown is an easy comparison for De'Von Achane as an undersized, fleet-footed rusher at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds who averages 7.5 yards per carry. He has a rush for at least 70 yards in each of his three college seasons. That's a big-play element the Saints offense has lacked for a long time. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are both free agents in 2027.

Round 5, Pick 143: S Amare Ferrell, Indiana

There were several safeties to choose from at this spot; Tao Johnson (UCLA), Marcus Neal Jr. (Penn State), and Keon Sabb (Alabama) among them. But Ferrell had the strongest resume as a three-year starter with 10 career interceptions, and he'll only be a 21-year old rookie. Those ballhawking skills are welcome in a Saints defense with just one interceptions through their first five games (at least until the New York Giants gave up three of them on Sunday). Ferrell has some problems with missed tackles but he's only been penalized twice in 2,000 career defensive snaps. He's also experienced on special teams with more than 330 reps in the kicking game.

Round 6, Pick 182: EDGE Wendell Gregory, Kansas State

Gregory may not declare in 2027, but he's an intriguing prospect if he does enter the draft. We went with him for his high-upside traits rather than a more productive choice like Boise State edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan. Here's the pitch from our staff writer Arye Pulli: "Gregory earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors at Oklahoma State in 2025 after recording 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Despite highly lucrative offers in the transfer portal, Gregory chose Kansas State, betting on an opportunity to put the nation on notice, and has delivered through six games. His production behind the line of scrimmage makes him a prospect worth watching for the Saints as they consider potential successors to Cameron Jordan."

This was the pick the Saints got from the Los Angeles Chargers in last season's Trevor Penning trade. They do not own their initial sixth rounder or seventh-round choices after trading for wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Devaughn Vele, respectively.