Is the nation's current leading sack artist an option for the Saints in April?
One of college football’s biggest stories has been the emergence of LSU edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen. He’s skyrocketing up draft boards with his elite speed, arsenal of pass-rush moves, and high motor, and is potentially a first-round prospect for the New Orleans Saints in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Umanmielen, the six-foot-four, 256-pound senior, spent his first two years at Nebraska before transferring to Ole Miss in 2025. There, he had a productive season with nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss. After that campaign, he followed head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU and has broken out onto the national scene, already racking up five sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in two games.
Umanmielen’s A-list trait is his elite athleticism and blazing speed off the edge. He has an elite first step and threatens the outside shoulder. Then, his superb flexibility and ankle flexion are evident, allowing him to turn the corner and reach the passer.
Umanmeielen’s speed is dynamic, but it’s not his only weapon. He’s a technically refined pass rusher with violent hand usage and a full repertoire of pass rush moves. He keeps the opposing lineman guessing, as he frequently varies his plan. This is necessary for someone of his caliber, and defensive coordinators will heavily value it come April.
Beyond this, Umanmielen is relentless and excels in pursuit. It doesn’t matter if he’s chasing a running back or closing in on an escaping quarterback; he doesn’t cease until after the whistle. He never gives up on a play and constantly puts himself in an impactful position.
Umanmielen's biggest flaw is his inconsistency as a run defender. Currently, he’s a designated pass rusher at the next level and will struggle on early downs. He’s not strong enough to battle bigger offensive linemen and can get eliminated from plays. Proving scouts wrong and showcasing his improvements against the run is crucial to establishing himself as a first-round prospect.
Regardless of his run defense, Umanmielen is an enticing target for the Saints. Brandon Staley’s defense needs another explosive pass rusher, as Chase Young is their only consistent weapon at edge rusher. Cameron Jordan is still impactful but is aging, and Carl Granderson isn’t reliable enough. As a result, it’s a questionable unit that could use improvements next offseason.
If Kellen Moore addresses the NFL Draft, then Princewill Umanmielen will be an intriguing option. His blazing speed, refinement, and motor make him a high-upside prospect who could be a dangerous pass rusher at the next level.
