tiggerpolice

I'll be the first to admit I don't know a lot about the thinking that goes into making a selection in the NFL Draft. But that might just be an advantage when it comes to the New Orleans Saints.

Maybe they should call me before they head up to the podium and I'll tell them who to take and that, in effect, will be that.

OK, so that's not going to happen. Here's Plan B: The Saints front office folks should stop over-thinking and simply turn the process into a masters-of-the-obvious approach.

One would think Reggie Bush, whose versatility, talent and speed make him a great selection, will be the player picked by the Houston Texans No. 1 overall.

That means the Saints, with the No. 2 pick, have every other player available. And while that seems a daunting task -- it is often easier to make the sixth-round pick because by then most of the preferred options are gone and a team is merely selecting players to fill roster needs -- it should actually be quite simple.

The checklist should like this: (1) What is the team's greatest need? (2) Who is the best player at that position?

Of course, that's not how it works, or at least we're always told the process is not that easy. First, the Saints have more needs than an 8-year-old has items on his Christmas list. There are so many positions that need attention, the Saints could consider having a blind draw and that player would have an excellent chance of fitting into one of the problem areas.

Yet as we head into next week's draft, there would appear to be several players under consideration. Some make sense, others do not.

The latest possibility mentioned is USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who any other time would be considered a fine choice. He would bring a star quality to a team desperately in need of that intangible.

But with the Saints having signed former San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, it seems silly to cast any attention to Leinart now.

The Saints' greatest needs would appear to be the offensive line and defense. So even though the Saints won't ask what I think they should do, here's what I think they should do:

1. If the Texans lose their minds and select someone other than Bush, the Saints should run to the podium to select him.

2. If Bush is the Texans' pick, they should select either offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson to protect the newly acquired Brees or defensive end Mario Williams. Either would be an outstanding choice.

3. Trade the pick. This would allow the Saints to keep a first-round pick as well as gain other draft picks or players in the deal. When considering all the Saints' needs, this avenue would seem the best decision for the franchise.

See, it's not that tough a decision really.

http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregis...920.xml&coll=3

zachsaints52

Since when did DE become a ""great need"???

spkb25

trade down would be ok with me. we will still end up withn a very good player and some added picks. added picks would help

saintswhodi

Exactly.

JKool

I entirely on board with you guys on this one: DE is too much of a luxury pick with all the holes we have on our current roster. Besides Smith and Grant are more than able DEs.

hagan714

Williams is bait for trading down i hope. I think you gotta throw out best value of the pick in accordance to postion. This is simply the stupidest thing they ever came up with. Pass up a better player because dollar/draft position you go for player of no real need because he plays a differant position. Sorry AJ is better than Williams at this point in time. I do not want to discuss the "what ifs" of potential in the future. Time is the only way to tell. So if we take Williams I see our FO has taken a step back wards.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

Euphoria

I am all for tradeing down a few spots with this deep draft and get picks to get as many as we can or even to use to trade up in a round or two later in the draft. We almost need an overhaul... so get these young guys to come in and help us for years to come. We can get Brick a couple of picks down some... but if we can't find any takers we are going to be forced to take him at 2 which is ok by me...

xan

Nobody's going to trade up because no one believes that we'll take Lienart, and the concept of drafting Williams is repulsive (even if you do like his "talent") as that's a wasted opportunity. The only way any team below the Saints will trade "up" is to actually wait to see if the Saints draft Lienart to make a move, because if they do, either the Saints will shoot themselves in the foot and draft ANYONE else and the other teams will get the player of their choice. It's a no lose situation for them.

pakowitz

well they might not believe that we will take leinert but maybe thats Y the titans are saying they will take young.... so no one will trade up to get leinert so they can take him....

Savant

I'd like A.J. Hawk or D-Brick. Anything else I think I'd be mad.