Why Germie Bernard could be perfect fit for NFC team

With the Super Bowl being played on Sunday, and the Senior Bowl being played over a week ago now, attention is turning to the NFL Draft. With multiple early picks in the draft, the New Orleans Saints could make a perfect pick by selecting Germie Bernard.

The former Alabama wide receiver could make an immediate impact in New Orleans and provide the wide receiver room, which is full of forgettable names, aside from Chris Olave, with various skills that the Saints have been lacking.

The wide receiver room in New Orleans currently consists of Olave, Devaugn Vele, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means and some others, but none of them, except Olave, have made a truly meaningful impact.

New Orleans did get the privilege to have now-Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed in action, but the team traded him early in the season, which has left Olave to be the go-to guy and really the only reliable playmaker for the Saints.

But that could change if the Saints were to draft Bernard, who’s had a great college career. He started his career with Michigan State before transferring to Washington for a season, and then following his head coach to Tuscaloosa.

Through Bernard’s two seasons, he’s been the receiver with the most reliable hands, catching 114 total passes for 1,656 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s been a star in the making and is now ready to contribute in the NFL.

The Saints, who have shown their commitment to building a younger, talented offense with the additions of offensive tackle Kelvin Banks and quarterback Tyler Shough through last year’s draft, could build off that with the addition of Bernard.

Shough ended up earning the starting job nine weeks into the season and continuously improved, making a case and finishing as a finalist for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year while working with a mediocre receiving corps.

Olave, a strong route runner with good hands, supported Shough throughout the season, but after losing a ton of speed with Shaheed’s trade, Shough was pretty limited on where and who he could consistently throw the ball to.

But that’s where Bernard could come in. At 204 pounds and standing at 6-foot-1, Bernard was a receiver who could do it all for the Tide; creating separation downfield, making contested catches and showcasing great hands with a crisp route-running ability.

He has a very pro-style approach to the position, and it’s something the Saints could easily take advantage of by drafting him. And with the skill he possesses and the limited depth New Orleans has, it would make sense for him to make an impact early.