As the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons prepare for their rivalry battle, college football is entering its fifth week.
The headline game this week between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs will feature a multitude of first or second-round prospects. Other headline matchups, including Ole Miss vs. Kentucky and Louisville vs. Notre Dame, will also include a few potential draftees.
Here are four prospects you should watch this Saturday that could be great fits for the New Orleans Saints.
Tre Harris – Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
NFL Draft Buzz Projection – 2nd-Late
Tre Harris is an integral piece of Lane Kiffin’s passing attack and has the physical traits to dominate defensive backs. The Louisiana Tech Transfer had ten touchdowns with the Rebels last season, and he already has 628 yards through four games this year. His 6’3, 215-pound frame could add some physicality alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Watch out for a big game from Harris against the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend.
Malaki Starks – Safety, Georgia
NFL Draft Buzz Projection – 1st – Top Ten
Starks is a pie–in-the-sky prospect that would take a very high position to draft, but a man can dream! The junior safety is both a physical tackler, but also lockdown in coverage. He’s a third-year starter for the Bulldogs and has been dominant in each season. If the Bulldogs want to limit Jalen Milroe and control the pace of the game, Starks will need to have a monster performance. Perhaps Starks would be a great fit on an aging Saints’ defense that failed to sign a big safety prospect last offseason.
Tate Ratledge – Offensive Guard, Georgia
NFL Draft Buzz Projection – 2nd-Mid
The New Orleans offensive line still has many holes to fill, and Ratledge is one of the best prospects in the country. He’s a staggering 6’6, 320-pound guard that is surprisingly agile. This is his third year starting for the Georgia Bulldogs and will be playing in a monumental game against the Crimson Tide this Saturday. Watch out for Ratledge’s protection efforts against a fierce Alabama front line.
Howard Cross III – Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
NFL Draft Buzz Projection – 2nd Round – Late
Perhaps the Saints still need to improve the pass rush. Howard Cross might be an excellent mid-draft prospect with tons of upside in the NFL. He’s one of the smaller, yet quicker and niftier defensive linemen in the draft class. His motor is non-stop and has brought a high-energy culture to the Notre Dame defensive front. Watch out for Cross and the Irish this Saturday as they look for redemption against the Louisville Cardinals.
