NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis and president Dennis Lauscha react as former owner Tom Benson is inducted into the Ring of Honor during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) Getty
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Labryan Ray #93 of the Carolina Panthers is congratulated by his teammates after blocking a field goal attempts against the Carolina Panthers during the second half in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Getty
As the New Orleans Saints currently sit at 2-5 in last place of the NFC South, analysts project them taking defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam from the University of Tennessee. While the division currently is wide open with no clear best team, the Saints have one of the worst defenses in the NFL so far this season. By expected points added per play, they are 26th overall. Looking exclusively at the run defense, they are dead last in the league.
Clearly, strengthening the defensive line is a priority for this New Orleans Saints team. Thankfully, Gilliam looks like a for sure bet at defensive tackle. This NFL draft class seems incredibly deep across the board regardless of how the quarterback position looks. Gilliam so far has six sacks, 28 pressures, 18 hurries, and 16 run stops this season.
The Saints have several needs throughout their roster, so they can go many different directions. The Athletic also mentions wide receiver as a specific need, which is interesting given that the Saints already have Chris Olave and just took Jordyn Tyson 8th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the depth at receiver has been lackluster this season, the Saints probably have more pressing issues.
Will general manager Mickey Loomis survive long enough to make this selection for New Orleans?
Gilliam has been a fast riser this season given his production at the University of Tennesee. Prior to the season, Gilliam was not on the NFL Draft radar, so the evaluations around him are still developing. From 2024 to 2025, he played at Penn State in a supplemental role, but he has become a star with the Vols.
NFL Mock Draft Database currently places Gilliam as the 25th consensus ranked prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft. The latest consensus mock draft has him going at 12th overall to the New York Jets . Taking him at seventh overall seems like a reach given this information, but his fast rising status could make him a top 10 selection especially if he has a stellar combine.
The Saints have several interior defensive lineman struggling so far this season.
Looking at the New Orleans Saints depth chart, the defensive interior is full of red flags currently. Starters Nathan Shepherd (126th out of 128) and Davon Godchaux (117th) rank towards the bottom of PFF's defensive interior rankings. Beyond them, Christen Miller, Khristian Boyd, and John Ridgeway own average grades albeit in limited roles. Perhaps the Saints need to see what they have with their depth players this season moving forward.
Regardless, this is a unit in need of a another interior pass rush presence. On the edge, the Saints have done well retaining Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Anfernee Jennings and Tyree Wilson have done well in their supporting roles as well as pash rushers. That being said, a defense that cannot stop the run will fail to give their pass rushers enough opportunities to be impactful.
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