With The 24th Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The New Orleans Saints Select...

Adrian Clayborn - DE, Iowa

Pick made by chad72:

Adrian Clayborn is a versatile player who could play defensive end in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, or defensive tackle in the 4-3, his versatility will be coveted by Saints DC Greg Williams. He dropped off during his senior year after a phenomenal junior year, so there is some concern as to what he can do once he gets into the NFL. He will be primarily a pass-rush threat in the NFL, but has the frame and strength to become a quality run stopper on the defensive front. If he can continue to improve on his strength and play with more technique and better fundamentals, he could become one of the better defensive ends to come out of this talented 2011 draft class.

The Saints cannot believe that Adrian Clayborn, once a potential top 10 pick, has fallen so far, and is still available. A high pick could also be used at DE since Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson, though solid, haven't been a big upgrade in terms of pass rush for the Saints. Adrian Clayborn's ability to get pressure on the quarterback is what makes Clayborn a potential first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Strong pass rusher, able to rip off blocks with violent hands to get the corner. Good closing speed to the quarterback, even after absorbing a big punch from offensive tackles off the snap. Able to break down in space to get his hands on ballcarriers. Tight ends and fullbacks have little chance to handle his strength and strong punch on the edge. Will pause his pass rush to knock a running back off his route into the flat and continue on his path to the quarterback. Pass rush comes from strength and hustle, not an explosive first step that allows him to turn the corner. Played both linebacker and tight end in high school. He was also a four-year letterman on his high school basketball team as a power forward.

Adrian Clayborn should be able to get into the DE rotation of the Saints pretty quickly and make an impact in his first year. He should be able to play opposite Will Smith and make enough contributions in the rotation and if he shows the same motivation that he had in his junior year, he could start opposite Will Smith as DE in that front making the Saints pass rush much better.

If Clayborn is taken 24th overall, it'll be the first time since 2004 the Saints have taken a DE in the first round (Will Smith). Also, he'd be the first DL taken from Iowa in the first round since 1958, when Alex Karras was taken by the Lions.

Adrian Clayborn Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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