I’d still nominate Davenport because he cost 2 first rounders.

I've always though this view was skewed on a couple of fronts. Since the Saints got a 1st round pick, at #14 in return, at best the cost was an extra 1st round pick. But since that pick was a year later, typically it's devalued by a round. So a #1 pick next year is worth a #2 pick now.

OK fine. The Saints stay put. Who do they pick at #27 in 2018 and #30 in 2019 as replacements?

Just like Mark Ingram, there's this flawed thinking that trading multiple draft picks means that the player has to exceed both of the original slots that were traded to get that pick. It's not a one to one mapping. A #14 pick isn't necessarily going to pan out as an all-Pro. For example Malcolm Jenkins is a #14 pick. Sometimes you get lucky, like Ramczyk, where a player exceeds their draft pick during their career.

If Davenport was really as good as many think he ought to be, he would have been a top 10 pick in the draft and out of reach. With the trade, the Saints got the player they wanted, and got that player that year, instead of a player they didn't want as much that year and another player the next.

Davenport's biggest problem has been availability. When he plays, he makes a difference on the defense. Just like a #14 pick should.

SFIAH

Fair enough. I understand and respect your opinion. I just disagree. I don’t care what reasons are given, his production has simply not lived up to his cost so far. He has been outperformed by a player in Hendrickson that came at a significantly less cost of draft capital. That’s how I see it and ain’t nothing gonna change my mind. I hope he proves me wrong this year.

Davenport isn't the only drafted Saint in a similar predicament. He has at least produced when healthy, unlike many previous busts. Maybe he turns it around this year as Armstead seemingly has the past couple of years.