BG12136

The more I read and monitor mock drafts, granted you have to take this all with a grain of salt - were not sitting in the Saints war room after all, it appears to me that the Saints will be doing one of the following three things in the first round.

1) They trade up to take Ellis if he is still available, say with the Pats pick.
2) They stay put and pick who they believe is the best CB.
3) They trade down and still pick a CB.

The reason I believe this is mostly around the battle that will take place between the Bungles and the Saints for draft position. Both are rumored to be talking with the Pats and others, in an attempt to move up and get a coveted DT. A number of drafts perdict Ellis falling to Cincy as is. So they will need to move up - if for no other reason then to pertect themselves from the Saints moving up and stealing their pick.

The scenario thats starting to appear is Cincy trading with NE, selecting Ellis, and then the Patriots select LB - Rivers with the 9th pick. Thus the Saints losing out on both their coveted DT and what is arguably the best LB in the draft (the safe pick). Hence leaving New Orleans with the 10th pick and the entire crop of DBs. So the question then - is one DB hands above the rest. It doesn't really appear so as you read player evaluations. So they could just pick there favorite at 10, or trade down and still select one of the DB crop later in the first round, or possibly selecting their next best player at LB or DT.

If the above scenario actually happens, then you might see New Orleans talking with Philly about Lito Shepard. If you going to fill the CB need, you might as well take a proven starter. Of course this decision needs to take into account the money required. Lito = big $, the 3rd CB to get that in recent years - as opposed to signing a rookie (hopefully with potential) to a five year deal, like New England insists on.

The other topic being discussed is TE Shockey. First you can't lose a first round pick for a TE - whether its the 10th pick or a pick later in the first round. Second, I would rather see New Orleans address another need on defense (DB/LB/DT) with their second round pick then to see them get Shockey. I have nothing against Shockey, I just think the need on defense outways the benefit of having a better TE. Plus I don't think the Giants would settle for just a 2nd round pick for Shockey. To costly, and you have less picks to address other needs.