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New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis uttered the ultimate draft cliché last week when he said the Saints would take the best athlete available rather than focusing on a specific position in the first round.

In this case, he’s right. Although the Super Bowl champion Saints could use a linebacker to replace Scott Fujita and another defensive end to bolster a depth-shy position, they don’t have a glaring weakness that cries out for immediate attention.

In the Examiner.com Mock Draft, Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews was the best player available at the end of the first round.

Mathews averaged a nation’s best 150.7 yards as a junior at Fresno State, rushing 276 times for 1,808 yards (6.6 average) and 19 touchdowns. If he had played for a higher-profile program, he would have been a Heisman Trophy contender.

Boise State’s defense learned how special Mathews was in September. Two weeks after the Broncos limited Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount to minus-5 yards on eight carries, Matthews blew through them for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 19 attempts.

He did not stop there. Fresno State faced three BCS conference teams last year, and he surpassed 100 yards against all of them, gaining 107 against Wisconsin, 145 against Cincinnati and 173 against Illinois.

With the departure of Mike Bell to the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans has an opening on its depth chart. Bell led the Saints in rushing attempts (172) and yards per game (50.3) during the regular season, so the opportunity will be there despite the presence of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.

Mathews has a similar style to Bell. He probably won’t break any long touchdown runs in the NFL, but he is physical north-south runner who should be effective immediately in short-yardage situations. That’s not Thomas’ or Bush’s specialty.

Although he needs to improve as a pass catcher, Mathews is a sure-handed runner. He fumbled three times in 535 career carries at Fresno State.

With primary Saints targets TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes and Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon already having been taken, Mathews is a sensible pick.
FOR MORE INFO: Go to BlackandGold.com

2010 Examiner.com NFL Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints take Ryan Mathews

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D_it_up

I guess I could see this. Matthews ran all over the WAC, but then again, there aren't many great defenses in that conference. I pay pretty close attention to the WAC since Louisiana Tech is in it, and Matthews was a stud last year. Ran for over 230 yards against Boise St. and they are no slouch. Ran for over 100 against Wisconsin. He is an intriguing pick.

CantonLegend

a running back doesnt help us at all......regardless of whether he is the bpa or not

and there is no way we take a QB, WR, or RB in the first round......too many holes on the team to really believe BPA is even close to an option

D_it_up

Why wouldn't a RB help us? Take a look at Reggie's contract. In 2011, he is due to make over 11 million, and that isn't incentive-based. That was after restructuring. If he doesn't have a Pro Bowl-type season, then that will leave the Saints with PT and Lynell Hamilton. The Saints carried four backs last year, and there is a good probability that they do so again this year. Say what you will about P.J. Hill or Herb Donaldson or Joe Schmoe, but a RB could be a need after this season, so why wait until next year when there is talent out there this year? You said yourself in another thread that the Saints have signed players that rarely saw the field (i.e. Meachem, Jenkins). That's because they are rookies. You should know as well as anyone that, unless a rookie is a complete stud, he's going to go through the learning process and won't see the field that much. Are there other needs on the team? Of course there are. But to think that any team actually drafts players in every round for every position of need is asinine.

CantonLegend

of course teams pick players for developmental purposes.....that really wasnt what i was trying to say

but there are holes that need to be filled..not next year.....this year

why try and fill a hole that may not even exist when there is a need at another position immediately

i understand the idea of drafting a player to develop down the road but you even said it, we have several running backs on the roster even without reggie....and there is a certain running back coming out next year from WVU that is better than reggie IMO

i like ryan matthews and im sure he would see the field.....but why? why use a pick on a player that doesnt help us immediately like a DT, LB or DE would

"deal with it or you can go play the saints and get trounced by 30 and you won't have to worry about it."-colin cowherd

Pete

Move the pile baby,move the pile .... Touchdown!!!

D_it_up

I have asked myself that question every year about certain players that the Saints have drafted, but picking at #32 is always tough. Yeah, there are probably going to be some good quality players available at the positions of need at #32, but it's bad when teams reach for a player at a position that could be found later in the draft. That's why IMHO the Saints should trade out of the first round and pick up a couple of 2nd rounders. New England would be a great trade partner since they have the 12th, 15th, and 21st picks in the 2nd round. They are carrying 12 total draft picks this year, as well. Kansas City has the 4th and 18th. Tampa has the 3rd and 10th. This draft is deep enough that there will be players available in those need positions.