Prediction Thread: Round 1, Pick 24.
 

So who will the Saints select for their first round draft choice with the 24th overall pick? Last season, they surprised some people by choosing Patrick Robinson. This time around, the Saints are quite a bit higher in the first round than last time (due to their lackluster playoff performance). There is a multitude of great defensive players available in the first round and I definitely believe the Saints will take one of many strong defensive ends, defensive tackles or linebackers who should still be around when pick 24 rolls around.

Here is a list of possibilities that the Saints could explore:

Adrian Clayborn - DL - Iowa
Akeem Ayers - LB - UCLA
Muhammad Wilkerson - DT - Temple
Mark Ingram - RB - Alabama
Corey Liuget - DT - Illinois
Cam Heyward - DT - Ohio St.
Justin Houston - LB - Georgia
Aldon Smith - DE - Missouri
Phil Taylor - DL - Baylor
Jimmy Smith - CB - Colorado
Marvin Austin - DL - North Carolina

Other possibilities who probably won't be available are:

Ryan Kerrigan - LB/DE - Purdue, Da'Quan Bowers - DE - Clemson, Nick Fairley - DT - Auburn, J.J. Watt - DE - Wisconsin, Cam Jordan - DE - California.

Granted, I think if any players out of this group are available, they will be snapped up by the Saints, but I strongly feel that none of them will be. I also think Aldon Smith will be gone by the time the Saints get to choose.

Of the remaining possibilities, Mark Ingram is an intriguing choice. But I believe that either the Patriots or the Colts will have taken him before we have a shot. Phil Taylor and Marvin Austin are a bit lower on most of the mock drafts of the so-called "experts." Also Marvin Austin missed his entire senior year due to rules infractions. Supposedly, Jimmy Smith has off-field issues and I don't believe that the Saints will pick a defensive back in the first round for the third straight year.

Corey Liuget will likely be unavailable to the Saints, but you never know. That leaves Adrian Clayborn, Akeem Ayers, Muhammad Wilkerson, Justin Houston, and Cameron Heyward. These are all excellent choices, but I hope that the Saints will take Cameron Heyward as the 24th overall draft choice. I recognize that many experts have him a bit farther down the board than 24th, but Cameron Heyward offers the Saints several things: he is versatile, having played in both a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive scheme, he is big and strong (6'5", 294 pounds), and he is a solid pass rusher having accumulated a total of 162 tackles, 1 interception, and 15 sacks in his college career.

Now having said all this about Cam Heyward, he didn't have a pre-draft visit with the Saints - and yet Muhammad Wilkerson, Mark Ingram, and Phil Taylor all did. Then again I do not believe Patrick Robinson had a pre-draft visit with the Saints last year, so maybe this is irrelevant.

In any case I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Cam Heyward is the guy. If it's not him then, I'll predict Muhammad Wilkerson, Mark Ingram, Adrian Clayborn, or Justin Houston, in that order.

I would like to see a trade down if a team is looking to sneak back into the first round to grab a QB. If Justin Houston is still available, then he would be a good selection early in the 2nd round as a situational pass rusher early in his career while developing into an every down LB.

my guess Corey Liuget - DT - Illinois

Now that I've read a little more about Adrian Clayborn, I'm warming up to the idea of drafting him. Not only is he very effective as a player, he seems like a very nice guy. And he's had to overcome adversity, which makes me admire him even more.

after further review myself i can see a olb ayers in our sight.

That's a good point. Ayers would be an excellent choice as well.

He punched a cab driver for honking at him. He had to EXIT his OWN VEHICLE then WALK OVER TO THE CAB in order to punch the driver.

Me? I don't give a crap - I like his aggressive style and ability to bend the pocket.

Heyward is good too.
Wilkerson I could see in the late 2nd round to early 3rd.

Ingram? Sure, why not.

Anyone for trading back???

Wow, I hadn't heard that one.

I'm sticking with Ingram, RB

Please let it be Muhammad Wilkerson.

Not that Jenkins was bad, but I wanted Clay Matthews III; remember even changing my avatar to his combine press release photo...

If we get Wilkerson, it will change the look of the defense completely!

Wilkerson I like, not love. Seems like a raw 3-4 guy who can flourish in 3 years.

Again, fellas - we need a guy who can close the pocket and eventually replace will smith.

Muhammad is not that guy.

'76, you're my Bro' ; and you're completely wrong...

This guy can move up and down the 4-3 line at either the "3" or "5" position; he's a massive end or a big "3" that can also disrupt passing lanes...

Truth be told, I'll be surprised if we are still picking at 24 and he's still available...

I predict Wilkerson will be available when the Saints choose. But we shall see.... I also think Mark Ingram could be free. Intriguing possibilities. Can't wait!

He's talented, but RAW. Speedy, yes, but does get lost against stronger competition and ultimately that's why I don't like us to pick him in round 1.

Another team may have the luxury of picking him early, but the SAINTS need a guy who is more suited to start as a speedy edge-rushing DE. Think Adrian Clayborne.

You like some juniah, eh? I thought Matthews was not coming out this year and staying put at Oregon.

Claiborne has some nerve damage down one side of his body; can't see a R1 pick with that issue glaring.

It's true he has Erb's Palsy, but it really hasn't affected his performance that much. In fact, he was quite the sack machine in college - although not quite as much in his senior year.

Thanks to double-teams.

Clayborn to me is a relentless DE who is speedier on the edge than Heyward who seems slower and more of a bull-rush DE/DT.

I wouldn't be mad about either pick but our defensive line doesn't have one of Gregg Williams' most coveted tools - a "Javon Kearse" type DE.

I've been watching alot highlights and the combined of Marvin Austin. If the Saints traded out of the first round for a early second round pick don't be surprise if we look to get this guy. He would have been a top ten pick if he wouldn't have took the money from a agent in college.

I like him a lot too. He made a mistake, but I've read where he has convinced everyone that he knows it and is truly embarrassed and remorseful of the situation.

He sounds like a really good kid who made a dumb mistake.

I'd be very happy with that choice too Luda

I like Austin from nortn c. now. I just hope we stay up front on the d-line.

If M.I. is there..... he becomes a Saint.

You might get your wish .... !

I can't remember a draft where there were as many players I loved available when we pick.

There are probably 10-15 players I'd be very happy with. I can't say that about most years.

Danno convinced me ...... we are drafting Ingram ... we were 28th in rushing ... we can pick up another DE in the second ... and we can trade Bush!

Mark Ingram here we go ... Welcome to New Orleans!!! Or Bowers if we have nerves with ICE running through them ...

Damn I was at least 1/2 right. Where's the love. I guess everyone's surprised even me that we traded to get Ingram and from the sounds of the tweets being put out by Reggie sounds like he thinks he's gone. Ingram is the next Emmit. I LOVE THE BALLS to go up and get him