Saints complete draft by signing undrafted rookie free agents
By: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor
The New Orleans Saints completed their 2016 draft with a mix of offensive and defensive help in the final four rounds.
After taking defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (12th overall) in the first round on Thursday, wide receiver Michael Thomas (47th) and safety Vonn Bell (61st) in the third round Friday, the Saints continued their defensive theme by selecting defensive tackle David Onyemata (120th) in the fourth round on Saturday.
Oneyemata, originally from Nigeria, learned to play football after following his sisters to Canada to attend college in Manitoba.
New Orleans then picked running back Daniel Lasco (237th) out of the University of Cal in the seventh.
The Saints also signed a number of undrafted free agents to bring into camp this upcoming season.
Those 19 players are: Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Dominique Tovell, Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Allen, Wisconsin defensive back Mike Caputo, Texas A&M offensive lineman Joseph CheekColorado defensive back Ken Crawley, Western Kentucky wide receiver Jared Dangerfield, Ole Miss defensive back Trae Elston, Texas A&M defensive back De’Vante Harris, Boise State offensive lineman Marcus Henry, Michigan running back Sione Houma, Alabama linebacker Dillon Lee, Northern Illinois wide receiver Tommy Lewis, Arkansas defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen, BYU offensive lineman Ryker Mathews, Alabama defensive lineman D.J. Pettway, North Carolina linebacker Jeff Schoettmer, North Carolina offensive lineman Landon Turner, Ball State wide receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert and Auburn offensive lineman Avery Young.
LSU had five players drafted this year. Leading the Tiger draft class was Deion Jones (52nd) who was selected in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons.
Offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins (123rd) went to the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive back Rashard Robinson (123rd) was selected by the San Francisco 49ers (133rd), both in fourth round.
Defensive back Jalen Mills (233rd) and offensive lineman Vadal Alexander (234th) went to the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the seventh round.