The New Orleans Saints made it official by signing their 2019 rookie draft class to their first NFL contracts.
New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has signed their 2019 draft class to four-year contracts; center Erik McCoy, defensive backs Chauncey Gardner-Johnsonand Saquan Hampton, tight end Alizé Mack*,* and linebacker Kaden Elliss.
McCoy was the Saint's second round draft choice (48th overall) out of Texas A&M and the club' first pick overall. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Lufkin, Tex. native started all 39 games he appeared in during his three seasons (37 starts at center, two at guard). Blocking for the Southeastern Conference's leading rusher in 2018 and for an offense that rushed for over 2,000 yards each of the last three seasons, McCoy declared for the NFL Draft following his redshirt junior season after graduating.
Gardner-Johnson was the Saints' fourth round draft choice (105th overall) out of Florida. The 6-foot-0, 208-pound Cocoa, Fla. Native moved into the starting lineup for Florida as a freshman in 2016 and played a key role in the club's resurgent defense in 2018. Opening all 13 games with 12 starts, he posted 71 tackles, four interceptions (two returned for a touchdown), two passes defensed, nine tackles-for-loss and three sacks for a unit that helped the Gators lead the nation in fourth quarter passing efficiency and second in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage. He finished his career with 161 tackles (91 solo), 17 passes defensed, nine interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), and four sacks.
Hampton was the Saints' sixth round draft choice (177th overall) out of Rutgers, the first Scarlet Knights player ever selected by the Black and Gold. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Hamilton, N.J. native was a four-year letterman (2015-18) and three-year starter for the Scarlet Knights, where he played in 39 games and made 27 starts. Hampton was voted a team captain in 2018 and earned the Homer Hazel Award as Rutgers' Most Valuable Player and All-Big Ten honorable mention (media and coaches) after a breakout season, recording 65 tackles, three for loss, three interceptions, 16 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He departed with career totals of 177 tackles (120 solo), seven stops behind the line of scrimmage, five interceptions, 24 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Mack was the first of New Orleans' two seventh-round picks (231st overall) and a three-year starter at Notre Dame, where he played in 35 career games with 23 starts. The 6-foot-5, 247-pound Las Vegas, Nev. native had a breakout season in 2018 after posting 36 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. In his career, he hauled in 68 passes for 716 yards (10.5 avg.) and four TDs.
Elliss, 6-3, 240, was the second of New Orleans' two seventh-round picks (244th overall) and a four-year contributor at Idaho, where he appeared in 47 games. A first team All-Big Sky selection in 2018, Elliss recorded 60 tackles, led the Vandals with 16 stops for loss and seven sacks and added three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The son of former Detroit Lions standout Luther Elliss, he finished his career with 288 stops, 47 tackles for loss and 17 sacks, finishing 13th in Vandals history for stops and fifth in stops for loss.
With the 177th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton
Rutgers's Saquan Hampton breaks up a pass intended for Wisconsin's A.J. Taylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton poses for a headshot during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton after running the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A detail view of Bose headphones worn by Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton at the bench press drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs the 40-yard dash during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
A detail view of Bose headphones worn by Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs the 40-yard dash during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell, top, tries to leap over the tackle of Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Michigan State's LJ Scott, left, rushes against Rutgers' Saquan Hampton during the second quarter of an NCAA college footballl game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan tight end Zach Gentry, left, makes a catch as Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas running back Pooka Williams Jr. (1) is pulled down by Rutgers defensive back Saquan Hampton (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI on Saturday November 3, 2018. (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
With the 231st pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Notre Dame tight end Alizé Mack
Notre Dame's Alize Mack (86) runs after a catch against Wake Forest in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack makes a reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86) tries to avoid Florida State defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. (26) after a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame's Alize Mack (86) reaches for a pass as Notre Dame's Drue Tranquill (23) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack, right, is tackled by Vanderbilt linebacker Jordan Griffin during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86) celebrates his touchdown catch against Florida State in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86) salutes the fans after his 35-yard reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack smiles as he crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Syracuse linebacker Ryan Guthrie (41) tackles Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86)during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Howard Simmons)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86) tries to avoid Florida State defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. (26) after a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame's Alize Mack (86) runs after a catch against Wake Forest in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack (86) runs after a catch against Florida State in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
