QBREES9

10. New Orleans Saints

Don’t be surprised to see the Saints make a strong move to trade up in Round 1 to go after Ellis. If the trade does not happen, the Saints draft pool will consist of Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, USC outside linebacker Keith Rivers and Illinois halfback Rashard Mendenhall.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would seem to solidify the Saints cornerback spot, if he is the pick. With second-year cornerback Usama Young back in the hunt for a starting spot, former Patriots nickel-dime cornerback Randall Gay in the fold and hopefully a healthy Mike McKenzie back in the lineup, the Saints would be set at cornerback for quite a few seasons.

In the NFL, the third cornerback plays about 40 percent of the time, and you need at least three good cornerbacks in this league. Rookie cornerbacks, even ones selected high in the draft, go through a learning curve, but see considerable time in nickel and dime sets.

In Keith Rivers the Saints could land a playmaker at the weakside linebacker spot they desperately need. Rivers is athletic, smart, instinctive and someone who may never be a great football player, but he will be good for many seasons.

Like Ellis, Rivers was recruited by Orgeron, and he knows his football makeup very well.

The wildcard at the 10th spot is Mendenhall. He is a tough inside runner, who has excellent foot speed to the outside and is a good receiver coming out of the backfield.

With Deuce McAllister still rehabbing his surgically repaired knee and some uncertainty about just how to utilize Reggie Bush as a runner and a slot receiver, don’t totally rule out Mendenhall.

Mendenhall may also attract some considerable trade attention by teams like Carolina, Chicago and even Arizona, who are looking for a big-time versatile halfback.

The 10th selection -- either to the Saints or Patriots -- is Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

TheDeuce

Good find, I really like how he gave a number (40%) to how much nickel and dime cornerbacks see the field; it really is a position that needs to be filled with a competent player, not a backup.

I personally am all for trading up to get Ellis. I think he could be the building block for a great defense. Add to that a young Jon Vilma and we have a heckuva core in the middle. I also like it because I think we could land a very productive cornerback in the second round (my mind keeps going back to Brandon Flowers).

lsutigerfan

What do you think we would have to give up to move up 4 spots with the pats? I wouldn't do it if it includes our second round pick.

pakowitz

New England

1st round pick 7 - 1,500 points

New Orleans

pick 10 - 1,300 points + pick 78 - 200 points


1,500 = 1,500

works out evenly... hmmmmmmmmmmm

saints1234

i would like it if we take Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but i just think it would be better to take Rivers with the 10th pick. i would not even think about takeing Rashard Mendenhall i like him a lot and hes a really good RB but we dont need another RB. we need Defence and lots of it are offence is fine.

FireVenturi

Yea it looks good on paper, but I would either stay put or trade back. The draft is very deep and you could get just as good of player at 10 as 7 without having to pay pick seven money. Just my two cents(probably what its worth)

hagan714

HMM no 4 and then no 3? differ the 3 for next year and maybe

Nemesis

I think the Pats would like to trade down with the Saints. NE will still get a top 3 CB, along with pretty good looking LB crop to sift through in the 2nd & 3RD. I'm not really hyped about trading up for Ellis, though. I'd like McKelvin in the 1st