Everyone knew the Saints were going to get Sheldon Rankins in the first round. He's a dynamic defensive lineman who can cause disruption up front. He's an instant starter for New Orleans. Adding wide receiver Michael Thomas in the second round gives the Saints a big body wide out with good hands. He'll remind Saints fans of Marques Colston. Onyemata was a little bit of an unknown until the East-West Shrine Game. He's a raw player who was picked when several known talents were available at defensive tackle. Seventh-round pick Daniel Lasco raised eyebrows at the combine with some big workout numbers. He can stick on special teams and as a backup running back.
—Dan Kadar, SB Nation
Rankins started all 13 games and finished the season with 13 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks among his 58 tackles, along with a pass breakup, four quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. Rankins' quick burst and active, powerful hands will make him an effective interior pass rusher capable of complementing Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan. Rankins' versatility as a starting five-technique or three-technique makes him a fit in any system, so he'll find a nice home on the Saints defensive line.
While fans may be split on this pick, the Saints do need threats on the outside for Drew Brees to continue to throw to. When watching film, the first thing the jumps out at you is his double-move ability. The stutter-step move in his arsenal can turn a DB inside-out, helping him break away and get into open space. In the past two years, he hauled in 110 catches for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Drafting Bell certainly fills a need in the secondary and gives the Saints much needed depth in the defensive backfield. Bell was predicted to be drafted earlier so the Saints get pretty good value at 61st overall.. But I'm not sure it was worth giving up a 3rd and 4th round pick to get him. The Saints must really like what they see in him.
Onyemata didn't play college football in the United States, and is among the most obscure players to be picked in this draft, and the Saints will likely hope that his 6'4, 300-pound frame and significant raw athleticism can be molded into a player who can get onto the field in their defensive line rotation. Otherwise, this pick may be a waste.
Lasco was projected to be a 4th or 5th round draft pick so he was probably the highest rated player on the Saints draft board when they were on the clock. That's the only reason I can think why the Saints would take a running back, which is far from a position of need.