no_cloning

D+ so far.
When the question \"Who is the worst player the saints could pick?\" was asked here, I answered \"Will Smith\". Look who they took.
So I\'m not happy with that pick, no wait, I\'m pissed. And you can all point out how he may be used and that he was BAP, until I see him do something in a game I will not be happy with the pick.

However, what went wrong in the first round?
Some say \"We had a huge need at CB and they didn\'t address that\". Well, how could they? Atlanta threw us a mean curveball when they selected Hall. From then on it was rather unlikely Robinson would fall to us. So, do you now trade up to get him? Jacksonville and Houston both would have asked for more than one of our second round picks. Anything more would be overpaying for Robinson. Houston took him at #10, so that was that. Taking Gamble at #18 would have been a HUGE reach. Ask yourself if he is better than Thomas or Craft. I don\'t think so. He may be eventually, but not this season. I\'m glad we didn\'t take him. Or any other CB after Hall and Robinson (at least in the first round).
What about LBs? Vilma to the Jets was a gimme, Williams to the Broncos was possible, but with Wilfork still on the board they could have gone that way too. Should the Saints have tried to trade up to get Williams? In hindsight, the answer is yes. After those 2 were gone, no LB was worthy of the #18.
Now the Saints pick and surprisingly Udeze, Smith and Wilfork are still there. They cannot pick Udeze because apparently the shoulder injury is apparently more serious - but the Saints wouldn\'t know as they brought in NOONE for a medical examination so their plans wouldn\'t be too obvious (stupid, stupid, stupid, noone cares about your plans at #18). So you take Wilfork as a true 2 gap DT and leave Sullivan at the 3 technique spot together with Young. This would help out your crappy linebacker corps. But you don\'t do that when you are the New Orleans Saints.
Second pick.
It comes down to the evaluation of what you have. Haslett/Loomis: \"Our linebackers aren\'t that bad.\" Me: \"Oh yes, they are.\"
Henderson isn\'t a bad pick, especially if he can take over as the primary kick/punt returner. He\'s the + in D+.

Third pick.
Honestly, don\'t know much about the guy. Consensus seems to be that he is a reach. Doesn\'t bump up the grade any higher.

Trading the 3rd rounder.
The Saints got fair value, nothing more. Loomis said there was noone on the board they loved, so when Washington called they made the deal. Okay with me.

Biggest problem I have with this draft: How will it make us more competitive this year? Yes, it will make it less likely that we slip to 4-12 in 2005, but it just feels wrong. It feels like a team and FO that doesn\'t want to take any risks, picks up role players at a good price and is never really good or really bad.