National Football League

Saints take Clemson linebacker Anthony at No. 31 overall

Published Apr. 30, 2015 11:32 p.m. ET

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METAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Saints have selected Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony with their second of two first-round picks in Thursday night's NFL draft.

The Saints acquired the pick, 31st overall when they traded star tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle, which also sent center Max Unger to New Orleans

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Anthony joins a Saints defense that ranked second-to-last in the NFL with 384 yards allowed per game. The Saints' defense also ranked 23rd in sacks per pass attempt, and could have used another edge pass rusher, but Anthony has been an inside linebacker in college.

Last season, he led Clemson was 90 tackles, and was named first-team All-ACC.

With their first pick in the draft, at No. 13 overall, the Saints selected Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat.

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