With the second pick of the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, the Saints pick a Cornerback to beef up the defensive secondary. 

With the loss of key players including Center Jeff Faine, the New Orleans Saints decided to beef up their defensive secondary by picking  Cornerback Tracy Porter from Indiana.

New Orleans Saints traded with New England to move up to the 7th pick overall in the NFL draft.

{sidebar id=1}They turn around and pick Cedric Ellis, Defensive Tackle From USC.

With that seventh pick, the Saints got one of their men, choosing USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. With their other five draft picks, New Orleans chose Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, defensive tackle DeMario Pressley of North Carolina State, tackle Carl Nicks of Nebraska, kicker Taylor Mehlhaff of Wisconsin, and wide receiver Adrian Arrington of Michigan.

In the second round, the Saints selected cornerback Tracy Porter 40th overall. Coming out of Port Allen High School in Port Allen, Porter was originally ignored by LSU and committed to Indiana. Nick Saban got in late to make an offer but Porter kept his commitment to the Hoosiers. Clearly, Porter's strength lies in his speed. He has decent but not preferred size at 5'11, 185 but he runs a sub 4.4 forty yard dash. His cover ability is good and he should be a third corner pretty quickly for the Saints. The only question mark for the Louisiana native, who has always been a Saints fan, is his tackling ability.With the 164th pick in round five, the Saints chose tackle Carl Nicks, a mammoth 6'5 341 mauler who hasn't played much football, serving as a starter at left tackle for Nebraska for just one season. He is aggressive by nature and has a long wing span but needs work on his footwork and pass blocking. Still, his physical size and strength make him an interesting project. In round seven with choice number 237, New Orleans was able to trade to get a targeted player, wide receiver Adrian Arrington of Michigan.

Overshadowed by teammate Mario Manningham, Arrington is an intriguing choice, a player who has great size (6'3 203). The Saints are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time with a tall receiver in the seventh round. Arrington has many of the qualities of Marques Colston, the sensational seventh round choice of two years ago. Like Colston, Arrington has great size and good hands. He was very productive at an elite program. He suffered a significant ankle injury in 2005 and had an off-field problem in 2006 as he was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge from a fight with his girlfriend. He was also suspended in 2007 for disciplinary reasons. That is why Arrington lasted as late as he did. Basically, the Saints were willing to take a chance on a player with questionable character in this spot. The talent is there. Hopefully, the maturity will follow.

Ellis is a quintessential run stopper. At 6'1, 305, he has the size to hold his ground. He is very strong, has good instincts, and plays with a high motor. He has enough quickness to generate pass rush from his inside position. He comes from a great program and a pro coach in Pete Carroll. He was recruited to USC by current Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. The familiarity was helpful in the process and will help Ellis in his adjustment period to the NFL. His draft board rating was an eyelash behind Dorsey and all observers feel he will be a very productive NFL player. I liked the trade, giving up a third round pick to obtain Ellis.

Pressley could be a true value pick in the fifth round at number 144. At 6'3, 301 pounds, Pressley follows in the footsteps of recent North Carolina State first round picks Mario Williams and Manny Lawson. Pressley has the package, including athleticism, speed, quickness, explosion off the ball, and upside. So why does a guy like this last until the 144th pick in the draft? Quite simply, injuries. First, a wrist injury set him back and in his senior season, he missed half of the season with a knee injury, curtailing his playing time and productivity. He is a classic "three technique" tackle and will give the Saints another solid inside player, along with Ellis.

In round six, the Saints did the unconventional, drafting place kicker Taylor Mehlhaff out of Wisconsin with the 178th overall pick. At 5'10, 185 Mehlhaff is not very big and while he has a pretty strong leg, he is not a long-distance field goal kicker. His strengths lie in his accuracy from 45 yards and in and his ability to kickoff. He kicked in northern conditions outdoors in the Big Ten and being indoors in New Orleans should benefit him. He is the first kicker drafted by the Saints since another Big Ten star, Morten Andersen of Michigan State back in 1982. We can only hope this one turns out nearly as well. Like Andersen, Mehlhaff is a left-footed kicker, though he actually throws right-handed. Clearly, he will be given a shot to win the job from Martin Grammatica, who was impressive in a short stint, allowing the Saints to let Olindo Mare go.

{sidebar id=1}

In round four, first-team All-American Craig Steltz of LSU and Archbishop Rummel High School went to the Bears. In round five, USC quarterback John David Booty of Shreveport and Evangel was chosen by Minnesota. In the sixth round, Nicholls State defensive back Kareem Moore was picked by Washington, and in the seventh round, Matt Flynn, who quarterbacked LSU to a national championship, was chosen by Green Bay, tackle Demetrius Bell of Northwestern State went to Buffalo, LSU tight end Keith Zinger was picked by Atlanta, and UCLA safety Chris Horton of De La Salle High School in New Orleans was chosen by the Redskins. The most notable name not drafted was LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith, whose post-season workouts clearly hurt his stock. 

In an exclusive interview with BlackandGold.com, North Carolina State Defensive Line coach, Keith Willis, provides a unique perspective why DeMario Pressley may be yet another New Orleans Saints’ draft day “steal.” 

In an exclusive interview with BlackandGold.com, North Carolina State Defensive Line coach, Keith Willis, provides a unique perspective why DeMario Pressley may be yet another New Orleans Saints’ draft day “steal.”

B&G.com:  Coach Willis, we realize that this is a very busy time of the year for you and the Wolfpack coaching staff.  So we are especially thankful that you have taken the time to provide this interview.

Coach Willis:  Not a problem; glad to talk with you.

B&G.com:  Coach, do you have any direct or indirect connection with someone who is or was once with the Saints?

Coach Willis:  Yes, I played pro for twelve years.  My first ten years were with the Steelers, and Saints former head coach Jim Haslett was my Defensive Coordinator in Pittsburgh.

B&G.com:  When DeMario came out of high school ( Greensboro, NC), he was one of the most heavily rated and recruited high school players in the nation.  Why did his stock fall so far from then until this year’s draft?

Coach Willis:  Well, as you know, injuries are a part of the game of football.  DeMario is a very intense player, and unfortunately, his high motor led to injuries on the practice field.  If I recall correctly, he’s had injuries to his knee, elbow, wrist, foot and ankle.  I’m not 100% sure, so I’ll have to check. But let’s say that it’s hard to perform at your best when you’re banged up.

B&G.com:  Was he injured in any major game?

Coach Willis:  Actually, it’s funny that you ask.  Oddly enough, DeMario received all of his injuries this year (his senior year) on the practice field.  He was not injured at all in any game; or let’s say …he didn’t let on to any of the staff that he was. 

B&G.com:  How much playing time did he get this past season, and how well did he perform while in there?

Coach Willis:  DeMario played in about five games last season.  Again, he was injured and always wanted to get into the game.  He never took himself out, so we took our time to make sure he was healthy before putting him back in.  Now to give you an idea of what type of player the Saints have in DeMario, consider this:  Even though he played in only five games, he made such an impact that he received enough votes to make Second Team, All-ACC.  To me, that says a lot!

B&G.com:  Was any other Wolfpack player taken in the NFL draft this year?

Coach Willis:  Yes, DaJuan Morgan (Safety) was taken by the Chiefs in the third round.  He and DeMario were the only two from NC State taken in this year’s draft.

B&G.com:  Did DeMario participate in any pre-draft exhibitions?

Coach Willis:  Yes, he participated in Pro Day/NFL combine, and also played in the Senior Bowl.  As far as I recall, he had a respectable showing for all of that.

B&G.com:  Coach, I know that you believe your guy is good, and ready for the NFL.  But if you had to point out area where he could improve the most, what would it be?

Coach Willis:  As I mentioned before, DeMario is high energy, and he leaves it all on the field each game.  I guess he may want to develop more of a MEAN streak. By that I mean he’s a little too nice.  Not that he’s a pushover or anything, because he can more than hold his own on the field.  I’m not saying that he has to talk smack or anything like that.  But it all has to do with your attitude, and based on your level of consistent play, coming across to everyone in the trenches that you’re nobody anyone wants to mess with. 

B&G.com:  Do you believe DeMario is ready to assert himself in the NFL?

Coach Willis:  As you know, NC State has a proud tradition of putting out quality defensive players.  The most notable recently was of course, Mario Williams (taken by the Texans in ’06).  Yes, DeMario has a great upside.  He definitely has the ability to take his game to the next level. But he will have to be hungry enough to go for it. 

B&G.com:  What’s the most memorable performance from DeMario this past season?

Coach Willis:  I believe it was the game vs. the Tarheels.  He pretty much dominated his man all day long.  He had a lot of QB hurries, sacks and QB knockdowns.  He also pushed the pile well, and got a few tackles for losses behind the line of scrimmage. 

B&G.com:  Where do you figure the Saints to finish in the NFC South (in ’08)?

Coach Willis:  On paper, and with the free agents and draft the Saints just received, they’re one of the best teams right now in the NFL… but that’s on paper.  You don’t win games on paper (moderate chuckle from both).  I’ll say this:  If the Saints come together as a team, you can bank on the fact that they’ll definitely be in the mix for the division championship …and beyond.

B&G.com:  Coach Willis, on behalf of BlackAndGold.com and Saints fans everywhere, thanks once again for taking the time to share your unique perspective on DeMario Pressley.  All the best to the Wolfpack in the Fall.

Coach Willis:  You’re welcome; …all the best to the Saints this year.  Take care.