pakowitz

Sometimes things just don't work out.

The New Orleans Saints had watched as each of the players they coveted was picked off by the time their No. 18 pick arrived on the draft's first day.

"We felt good about a certain group of corners, and it just so happened when we picked, the value wasn't at corner for us," said Rick Mueller, the Saints' director of player personnel. "When we got around to value, those guys were gone."

Still, New Orleans oftentimes took advantage of its opportunities - making solid selections at wide receiver, linebacker, defensive tackle and fullback later in the draft.

So, it's hard to argue with most of the team's picks. But, I will, anyway - because in the end, there was no corner. Again.

*

No. 18: DE Will Smith, Ohio State

Grade: A, considering.

The Saints didn't need a defensive end but did well not to reach after CBs DeAngelo Hall and Dunta Robinson were taken. They also avoided any temptation to move up at the expense of the rest the draft.

Smith was clearly the best player left on the board - a versatile performer who has great character.

"He played right and left end - and was a linebacker in the 3-4," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "They moved him around. He spied quarterbacks; he rushed from the outside and rushed from the inside. He's kind of multi-purpose and they used him everywhere."

His agility and speed also give New Orleans great flexibility on critical third-down plays.

"I don't think you can have enough good defensive linemen, evidenced by Carolina and New England - the two teams in the Super Bowl," Haslett said. "They had a good rotation of linemen. This gives us a lot of first-round picks on the defensive line.

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