Colin Simmons should be a target for the Saints next offseason.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo released his latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft on Monday, August 10, where the New Orleans Saints added a dynamic edge rusher in Texas’ Colin Simmons. The immensely talented junior is arguably the top defender in college football and is an appealing target for the Saints.
First off, it’s vital to put these offseason mock drafts in perspective. They aren’t intended to predict the NFL draft; it’s far too early for anything to be accurate. Countless things will change with both the prospects and the teams, but that doesn’t make these exercises unimportant. They are a valuable resource for fans to help identify talented players who could be options next April. So, Saints fans shouldn’t consider Colin Simmons their prediction but rather an enticing target to watch throughout the year.
With that in mind, Simmons’ superb athleticism, three-down impact, and proven production make him a premier prospect in the nation. Melo highlights this in his article and includes why he’s an intriguing fit for the Saints.
“The New Orleans Saints recently re-signed Cameron Jordan, but they should begin thinking about a succession plan,” Melo wrote. “The battle for EDGE1 between Stewart and Colin Simmons will be fun all season long. Simmons is currently the more effective run defender, and he registered 21 combined sacks as a freshman and sophomore.”
The six-foot-three, 245-pound defender pairs an amazing first step with staggering power and agility, making him a threat on every down. He consistently reaches the quarterback as a pass rusher, thanks to his overwhelming athleticism and arsenal of pass-rush moves. Additionally, he’s disruptive as a run defender and can seamlessly shed blocks with his violent hand usage to blow up plays.
Beyond this, Simmons has a high motor and is relentless, oftentimes playing through the whistle. He’s ultra-competitive and seeks to destroy his competition on each play. As a result, he’s a culture builder and a future team captain. He’s well worthy of first-round consideration and can change a defense.
As Melo mentioned, the Saints must find Cameron Jordan’s successor. Chase Young is a budding superstar, but they lack another dynamic option besides him. Carl Granderson has flashed talent, but can’t stay consistent. As a result, injecting youth into the position and investing significant draft capital would be wise. If they do, Simmons is a potential prospect who could be a day-one starter.
Obviously, the Saints' current outlook is completely different from what it will be in April. Still, it’s important to start identifying talented prospects who could resurface during the offseason. Colin Simmons is one of these players and will undoubtedly be brought up after the year. His athleticism, three-down impact, and proven production make him a future franchise cornerstone that the Saints must consider.
