The New Orleans Saints landed their next explosive defensive tackle in Miami’s Justin Scott in Cameron Sheath’s recent 2027 NFL Mock Draft at PFSN. Scott’s combination of size, athleticism, and versatility makes him a premier prospect who will garner first-round consideration in April.
As with all pre-season mocks, these are far too early to be accurate. Plenty will change with both the prospects and the teams throughout the season, making it impossible to predict. Despite this, they are still valuable exercises as they familiarize the fanbase with potential prospects. So, Saints’ fans shouldn’t think of Justin Scott as a prediction for next April, but as someone worth watching during the season who could resurface.
“The New Orleans Saints have issues across their defensive line, but with the top two edge rushers off the board, they take the first defensive tackle of the draft,” Sheath wrote. “The Saints made a splash on offense this offseason, adding Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency before landing wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth pick of the draft.”
Sheath noted the Saints’ heavy investment on offense. As a result, the defense has been ignored and has plenty of weaknesses, particularly at defensive tackle. Additionally, Bryan Bresee suffered a torn ACL at training camp and will miss the entirety of 2026. With this in mind, the interior defensive line is arguably the biggest question mark on the roster and must be fixed. If they do this next April, one enticing prospect is Miami’s Justin Scott.
Scott, the six-foot-four, 303-pound junior, is among the top athletes in the nation. The former five-star recruit has a blazing first step and is a swift mover who’s difficult to keep up with. His agility allows him to consistently split blocks and penetrate the backfield, blowing up plays against both the run and pass.
Scott can play anywhere on the defensive line. He frequently lines up on the A gap, the center’s shoulder, and the B gap, outside of the guard’s shoulder. This gives the defensive coordinator freedom to showcase his creativity with additional personnel, as they can complement Scott with other explosive options and run a variety of stunts.
Because of the aforementioned qualities, Justin Scott is a three-down player in the NFL. He’s not a perfect prospect, as he must clean up his hand usage and anchor, but he will be a highly coveted player during the draft. He could be the Saints’ missing piece on their defensive line.