Saints Draft
 

Not to shift the focus from the playoffs, but it's never too early to start discussing the draft...

In fact, going into the playoffs, we have some depth issues that weren't addressed in the draft/FA and it's starting to present...challenges

So this is a good time to get thoughts at this point of the season so when we are in April, we'll have a thread to refer...

So, what are the most glaring needs?

Round 1: Cameron Hayward DE
Round 2: Marvin Austin DT
Round 3: Mark Herzlich OLB

Haven't gotten the rest figured out yet. Since 2006 I'm three for how ever many picks we've had. Bush, Jenkins, and Graham.

Defensive tackle or end but this is the way most mocks on Walter Football have it:

New Orleans Saints: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The Saints don't have many holes on their roster, but they could certainly use some upgrades on their defensive front, particularly at defensive tackle next to Sedrick Ellis.

Stephen Paea projects as a nice complement; he's a 310-pound tackle who had 11 TFL and seven sacks on the year.

or

27. New Orleans Saints–DT Drake Nevis, LSU

The Saints have talent on the defensive line with DE Will Smith and DT Sedrick Ellis. They could use another end or a tackle to throw into the mix. At 27th overall, Nevis provides the best value and would be a very good value pick here to improve against the run.

We'll never know until draft day comes, but don't it get you excited. I think I may even do my own mock again this year. My early pick would be Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama if he falls that far. Walter has him going to the Packers and the really need him but there RB will return next year and they have alot of backups already.

I love when this topic - and the fact that it's coming up later each year. Remember when we used to talk "draft" in like October? Ha!

DE - we need an edge rusher with speed who can force QB's into Vilma.
DT - we can never have enough depth here. Still not convinced that anyone not named Ellis is a true starter.
RB - big, bruiser, who's hard to bring down (turner, jones-drew type). We sorely miss Deuce's ability to do that in the 4th quarter (just think back to the Philly playoff game and that 8 min drive to win it)
WR - happy w who we have if they can stay on the field. Can we clone Lance Moore?
LT - upgrade over bushrod. would love to see more of brown from USC.

ST has been a disappointment this season as well.

DL and LB. With that said, BPA has always been fine with me.

The special team quality of players at DT and OLB needs to be upgraded.

Round 3: Mark Herzlich OLB

I'd love to have him. Talk about a character guy!

I'd like to see some speed on the outside at OLB but...

But here is what I really don't like this thread.

IF you haven't noticed the Saints DO NOT draft by needs! They Draft by character. Pick up Sean Payton's book and hear it first hand on the on what he told the scouts to look for.

It doesn't matter who is there and what our needs are... when the Saints pick it is going to be a talented or potential talent good character guy all the way around. Avoid players who get in trouble!

Lets just leave the drafting until after the SB and up to Sean Payton.

I like that Ingram and Clay are already coming out. Trickle down effect for quality RB is definitely there

True, and they usually do address needs in free-agency, which allows them to draft BPA.

With that said, I'm hoping the off-season brings us a two shiny new OLB's, a DE, DT, RB (or two), TE, and a younger multi-purpose FB ( a younger version of Evans would do nicely).

Oh, and re-sign all our key FA's too.

Probably gonna draft Nevis in the first round.

Second round should have a lot of quality LBs: Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant, Mason Foster, and Greg Jones

Wonder if we can get tomba hali from the chiefs in the offseason, don't know how long his deal is with them but that guy can fly off the ball and get sacks.

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.POST PLAYOFF DEBACLE:

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Maybe an upgrade or two at offensive line!!???

After watching this one, it may be indeed the OT spot(s). Of course the defense left a lot to be desired, horrible game...

add a safety in the mix; need to replace Harper...

we drafted brown last year, he should be closer to being able to step in at LT. stinch has played poorly though and we could use help there. our guards are fine.

also we should drop any thoughts of trading up, we have a whopping 4 picks next year and shouldnt give any of them up.

1. Our own pick

2. Our own pick

3. Our own pick

3b. Pick from the Redskins for Jammal Brown

4. traded to Jaguars last year to move up and select OC Matt Tenant

5. traded to Washington to complete the Jammal Brown trade

6. traded to the Patriots for TE David Thomas

7. Our own pick

5 picks I believe

Ingram would look great in Black and Gold ... Can we trade Reggie for Suh? lol....

you are correct sir, i forgot about our 7th. should never discount that pick with this group.

I think we need to get someone on the Oline and kick Stinchcomb to the freakin curb!

we never show that kind of speed around the ends. is it our tackle's that make them look good?

I'm torn between DE and OLB. We need a good pass rusher on the corner in the QB's face. We also need some speed to give Vilma some relief on the edges. Today's performance tells me we also need to retire some elderly deep center. The coin just happened to fall DE.There will be people we WON"T see again next season. Oh the foolishness of youth...

CountDown to Draft begins now.
 

Looking forward to seeing some offseason moves. Be ready for some heads to roll.

I believe in the BPA philosophy, but when you have glaring needs you can get equal value moving up or down and drafting in that new slot the BPA now at your need...

I usually don't like to get down on a player; Shanle gets alot of grief here but personally, I like him, his effort, and his actually pretty solid...

Now, I've been critical of Roman Harper; I still have visions of his pass coverage/pass interference in Chicago; then there was this year when he was "gassed" and got caught from behind by the Rams Rookie Bradford; on his Wikipedia page he has a picture of him swinging for the green rather than play football...he should get use to this...

We had some of our best defensive football this season when Sharper and Jenkins were teamed at the Safeties...

With Sharper's age, and Harper's inability, Safety is now a definite need for the draft...

Also, we haven't had many draft picks pan-out nearly as much as the league average and this is starting to concern me; I've been critical of the Saints FO and this is why...

Our no. 1 picks in the current regime are:

2006 Reggie Bush - I still like the pick; but has the returns yield a No. 2 overall pick? Grade - B

2007 Robert Meachem - Clearly a bust; came in out of shape - as a rookie; his play has showed only moderate improvement and he seems to regress two games at a time after a one game wonder... Grade - D

2008 Sedrick Ellis - another bust when you consider moving up to get 'em and the returns received and the BS of his holdout; he's definitely a guy like a Warren Sapp who's only able to put up numbers when he's teamed with a larger dominant DT who can occupy blockers...Grade - D

2009 Malcolm Jenkins - I wanted Clay Matthews (even changed my avatar at the time because of my man-crush for the USC linebacker); but I didn't believe Jenkins would be this good; aside from passing on Matthews, this pick was a good one and he was definitely missed for the Seahawks playoff game...Grade - A-

2010 Patrick Robinson - really wanted to geaux need, thought there were worthy DL and RB picks at that position, but we'll allow another season for this guy to develop...Grade B

...Thing is, when you draft No. 1's they should be ready to start...

...but looking at the names, it's a rather disappointing group...

If Ellis and Meachem are busts, then Reggie is the biggest bust of all time. I say this and I'm a fan of Reggie Bush.

i agree with this, plus how do you give the robinson pick a better grade than the ellis pick?

I just voted on every category except WR.

pass rushing DE.... LB.... RB....

once again... defense, defense, defense. thats what i would like to see.

Cameron Hayward DE

how bout a high end d.back like osomugas from oakland.

So when do we pick in the draft ? 26

THIS!!!

He can play DT/DE and was beastly in the Ohio St bowl game...

Sign asmosdfsdfssah from oakland and and draft MARK INGRAM or heyward

Mark Ingram is a Top 10 pick more than likely, we'd have to trade up to get him

I just don't see that happening. If anything, I'd bet he'll go somewhere towards the tail end of the first round.

It's been a really long time sinsce I visited the site, but I am glad to be back. Last year, we were really handcuffed by the final 4 rule in free agency but I expect us to be somewhat active. It's hard to talk about the draft this early with so many lingering free agents and high dollar contracts up. Running back is our biggest question of the off-season with all of our guys questionable. I love Ivory to death but he has to stay healthy and same goes with PT but his contract is up. Can't look at Bush as a running back even if he is back. You can get backs later in the draft or even UFA as we proved with our two best.

I like the core of this team and if we can plug some holes in free agency or get some upgrades, then I am sure it will be BPA again. One quick note, Our ST was horrible in the return game this year and I believe we need a true returner. So many questions as of now and I can't wait to hear opinions of everyone in the months to come. Keep your heads hight, Who Dat Nation, but this is the making of a dynasty.