When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

A defensive scheme change and the possibility of losing six-year starting defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis to free agency make it a high probability the New Orleans Saints will be searching throughout this offseason for at least one new defensive tackle.

Luckily for the Saints, the defensive tackle position is "flat-out loaded," according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. Former NFL scout and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah didn't disagree with Kiper's sentiments, saying there's a ton of talent at that spot, as well.

Kiper said a team like the Saints could find quality defensive linemen in this year's draft anywhere from Rounds 1-4 with players who can play the nose, three technique or five technique.


New Orleans Saints can find defensive tackle help in April's NFL draft, experts say | NOLA.com

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I think a lot will depend on how these guys (DTs) perform in the combine, because those results will go a long way in to determining who'll be available for the Saints at a given time regardless of where they are on the Saints' board.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

A lot will also depend on free agency. If we sign two competent 3-4 NT's I could see us not drafting one at all.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

DL are what this draft is full of load up. Its like a tomcat make enough calls and you get kittens!!!

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

True, and we likely will draft one, but we could also use a stud OT, CB (or two), OLB (or two), FS, SS, DE and even WR.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I'd almost rather see us wait until round 3 for a DT/DE and go OL with our first pick otherwise BPA with pick #1...

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I think depending on the RFA offer he receives we might spend a draft pick to take a flier on Steelers Steve Mclendon. If his tender is low enough he might be worth grabbing as he knows the 3-4 NT position and shows some promise.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I want to see us draft mingo as an OLB or rush end...based on us already having hicks and bunkley

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

We trade our one for a high two and a three, pick up Brandon Williams in the second and sign a very good LB out of FA.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

You beat me to the Brandon Williams idea! I was going to say use our 1st round pick on the 3-4 outside linebacker and hope that Brandon Williams is there for our 3rd round pick. I think we could still keep our 1st round pick and trade up in the 3rd round if he's still available after the 2nd round for just a later pick or two. Might be worth it.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I would like to see either one of those Georgia boys at DT in a Saints uniform!!

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

This has to be the quote of the day!:lolup:

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

all depends on LOT when were and the $$$

serviceable NT will be all the saints can go for if Bunkley is on the roster. His money is too high.

Saints would be better served with a DT/DE pick in my book it starts up front.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

don't think we have to draft a DT HICKS, man he will breakout and be a force on the cheap. we need a starting olb or a OT. Let paytons scouts find jewels in later rounds to help at WR or a blocking TE. AND ALSO a fat nose to slop up the middle to bust plays and let a backer come and bash in a QBs shouder blade. its been to long not having a speedee defense. those who remember the dome patrol know exactly what i'm talkin bout.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

They also said Ellis and Dorsey were monsters. Get a DT in the 3rd or 4th round and I'm willing to bet he will be just as good as anyone in the 1st. The odds are heavily in my favor.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Who said we are drafting a DT?

I'd say OLB is a bigger need at the moment, a therefore should be addressed first

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I'd probably still rank OLB at number 2. Granted Wilson and Galette are far from a sure thing, at least they have potential to play the rush OLB.

All we have at NT is Bunkley. He's a shade light to play NT 60/16. He'll be great in a rotation, but we got no rotate-ees.

I suspect by draft time we'll already have a legitimate DT and OLB signed.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Without a good NT, the 3-4 will basically be a 4-3 anyway. The nose is the foundation, heart and soul of that D. This is a situation where we can bring in one player and that one player alone (along with a DC that can actually establish a scheme and some tackling) could take us to the middle of the pack as far as defenses go. For those of you who have forgotten last year already -middle of the pack should get Rob the DC of the year award. The NT is not a position we can afford to shop the bargain basement for. We've gotta go all out for the best we can get. We can find a very good OLB in the FA market, but a Nose? Who would that be? This looks like the year of the NT in the draft. I'm still thinking Brandon Williams is that man... at least that man who is still available by the time we get a shot.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

I agree, I don't think its its the heart and soul of the defense, but it damn sure is important. A bad player at the nose can make everyone else look really bad. But the two DE positions are just as important. The Ravens moved the best NT in the NFL to RDE this year.

I'd have no problem spending the majority of the money we'll have at the nose 1st, then that rush OLB.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Yeah, it'll always be the front seven, but to me the NT is the anchor. If he plays badly, you have to put a second tackle in there to take up the slack. So much for the 3-4. I'm thinkin' we've got a pretty good core of 3-4 style DE's already. In fact, I'm really thinking that we could get rid of Ellis, bring in that really good NT and move to the middle of the pack with the talent we currently have. An excellent rush OLB would be some really good icing on a pretty good cake. (Did somebody say Kruger?)

We could move even further up by replacing Patrick... Just sayin'

It's being said over and over here and I'm believing it, we don't need a top ten D to be thinking about playing in a blizzard in New Jersey next February.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Not having a second rd Pick really hurts us The players at #46 include good value @S, DT, CB OT. Curse you Commish

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Cheap risk with possible high rewards once again i post
Terrance Knighton 6'3' / 336 / 26 - NT - Jags

I see Hicks as a 34 DE/NT

Draft i still think a OT is going to be priority #1 we need to solve this issue before the draft. I hope.

Look at 4th round for depth. OLB will be hard to find that late but there are some nice projects there.

This is going to be a fun off season and when the saints draft a CB or Wr in round 1 it will be even more fun

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

We have a good NT on the roster... Bunkley anyone...?

He was rated out as the best run stopping NT when he played for DEN. He will be going back to his roots. We do need depth behind him but you dont draft for depth in the 1st 2nd or even 3rd rounds. We need a OLB opposite of Wilson that can be an impact player on day one.

For our first round pick I would love to see Dion Jordan 6'6 245...

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Just heard Freeney was on the market

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

http://www.beresta.by/wp-content/upl...012/12/461.jpg

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

Hahaha! I was just about to argue with you about drafting a maybe NT instead of buying one when I read your last sentence. Throw in a first round OL and I think you've nailed it.

Re: When the Saints Go "DT" Who Will It Be?
 

The Saints are actually looking pretty good at defensive tackle. Now that the base scheme has changed to a 3-4 the personell here looks a lot better. Brodrick Bunkley excelled at the nose position in Denver while they were running a 3-4. He is the prototypical nose tackle; will take up space, and clear out double teams leaving a man free. He is also only 6'2, at least that's what he is listed as. He will be able to get under many offensive linemen, making him harder to block.


Another guy that can fill in for this spot is Hicks. He is a massive guy, well over 300 pounds. His height would be an issue for me however, because for nose you want a guy with a lower center of gravity. He fits more as a 4-3 defensive tackles, but would do just fine as a filler at nose. His true potential is a plus for this defense, and that is playing Defensive End for the 3-4. Defensive ends in a 3-4 are normally much larger.

The idea of having a starting line consisting of Cam Jordan, Brodrick Bunkley and Akeim Hicks sounds great to me.