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NFL Draft Grades 2018: New Orleans Saints select Marcus Davenport at No. 14

By Rebecca Mills

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 13: A New Orleans Saints helmet sits on the turf before the start of the Saints and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 13: A New Orleans Saints helmet sits on the turf before the start of the Saints and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M /
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The New Orleans Saints traded up 13 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. With such a huge jump, the team selected Marcus Davenport out of UTSA.

Last year, proved the New Orleans Saints aren’t messing around in the NFL Draft. This year, they proved it once again. Sitting at 27th overall, the Saints traded with the Green Bay Packers up 13 spots to the 14th overall. With the 14th overall pick, the New Orleans Saints selected Marcus Davenport, defensive end out of UTSA.

Many assumed the Saints would trade up for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson was an obvious and flashy pick, but the Saints are going all in on defense. Who can blame them, though? The Saints went from worst to one of the best defensive units in the league.

In drafting Davenport, the Saints added some security at the defensive end position and hopefully, found their complement to Cameron Jordan. Davenport is known for being a unique player, on and off the field.

For the most part, the Saints got exactly what they wanted. It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows with Davenport, though. At age 21, Davenport still needs to sharpen some of his skills including his quickness, using his weight effectively and learning better body control.

The good news is the Saints won’t need Davenport to step in right away. The team still has Jordan, Sheldon Rankins and Alex Okafor. The Saints and Dennis Allen especially will have time to help Davenport develop. That’s going to be key for the team and their defense’s continued success.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Instant grades, reactions

It’s definitely a head-scratcher as we all anticipated them picking Lamar Jackson. The team did address a defensive need, but nothing on offense. Hopefully, in later rounds, they can address issues at quarterback, tight end and maybe wide receiver.

The Saints are keeping us on our toes, though. Who knows what the future rounds will hold? All we can hope is they don’t trade any more picks away and address some offensive needs.

Draft Grade: C

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