2013 NFL Draft - Saints Big Board

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by papz

The New Orleans Saints sent four scouts to watch Southern Miss LB Jamie Collins at the school's pro day.

The team is moving to a 3-4 defense this off-season under newly hired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and will be looking to add edge-rushers. The National Football Post's Russ Lande recently stated that teams are fine with Collins as a 3-4 defender but are struggling to figure out where he plays in a 4-3 defense. The Saints wouldn't appear to have this issue if they draft him.

Source: Daily Leader

Saw mock draft this morning that has him going 17 to Pittsburgh; he'd be a reach pick, but his size/speed combo has some teams - intrigued...

[Danno]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Saw mock draft this morning that has him going 17 to Pittsburgh; he'd be a reach pick, but his size/speed combo has some teams - intrigued...

I read a great thread on this kid. He looks like a great fit for what we do. He's projected late 2nd, early 3rd

Maybe we could swing a trade down and still pick him?

Here's a write-up on him (sorry, I didn't look thru 78 pages to see if its been posted yet...

Analysis
STRENGTHS: Muscular, athletic-looking frame with powerful hands and long arms. Accelerates well in a straight line, and exhibits good flexibility, both coming off the edge as a rusher, as well as when changing direction in space. Displays a knack for getting to the quarterback off the edge, with impressive natural power on contact, and ability to disengage when he uses his hands effectively. Flashes a strong, sudden closing burst in space. Appears natural and comfortable in his lower half when asked to drop into zone coverage. When he gets his arms extended at the point of attack, can really manhandle his blocker. Doesn't possess a ton of short-area burst when breaking down to make tackles in space, but uses length nicely to compensate.

WEAKNESSES: Motor appears to waffle at times. Explosiveness and fluidity appear to be there for brief moments, but other times he looks heavy-footed and sloppy in space. First step isn't elite. Is much more athletic than instinctive at this point. Isn't a high-intensity, fly-to-the-football defender, despite possessing some dynamic physical tools that indicate he's capable of covering more ground. Tends to tackle with his shoulder too frequently rather than wrapping up, and will take on blockers with his chest or shoulders far too often. Will reduce speed and exhibits loose legs when flipping his hips from a backpedal in man-coverage. Awareness in zone coverage waivers, as he tends to freeze in space and lose track of what's going on behind him.


COMPARES TO: K.J. Wright, OLB, Seattle Seahawks - Like Wright, Collins possesses a unique combination of speed, fluidity and flexibility for his size. However, when Wright came out of Mississippi State, he displayed better all-around instincts and motor than what we've seen out of Collins, who is probably the more gifted athlete. Right now, Collins looks like a developmental project with starting-caliber potential if the fundamentals and instincts can improve.

Good prospect, typical pros and cons

[FinSaint]

Originally Posted by Danno

Good prospect, typical pros and cons

Still, they need an impact player with the 1st rounder, and Collins more than likely isn't available to the Saints later on in the draft.

[hagan714]

i agree fin. saints will have to reach if they do not trade out. if we reach i am leaning o CB. but taking an OG for trade bait is still an option. with the titian sign an OG yesterday i think the odds just got better one of the top 2 OG will be there

[FinSaint]

Originally Posted by hagan714

i agree fin. saints will have to reach if they do not trade out. if we reach i am leaning o CB. but taking an OG for trade bait is still an option. with the titian sign an OG yesterday i think the odds just got better one of the top 2 OG will be there

Do you really think they'd gamble on signing an OG purely for a trade bait purpose?

I mean, that would certainly be interesting, but there's naturally a risk it would backfire on the FO.

[hagan714]

Ok he has my attention.

2013 NFL Draft Prospect Meetings: [Saints]
By Walter Cherepinsky - @walterfootball
March 7, 2013
New Orleans Saints:
Brendan Melanophy, DB, Fordham (PRO)

UDFA

Brendan Melanophy Fordham SS/FS

Height: 6006
Weight: 209
Arm Length:
Hand Size:
40 time: 4.44
20 yd: 4.28
3 Cone: 7.34
Vert: 38
Broad: 10-6
Bench: 19

Brendan Melanophy aka "White Lightning" - YouTube

Brendan Melanophy aka "White Lightning" - YouTube

Brendan Melanophy's Highlight Tape - YouTube

Brendan Melanophy's Highlight Tape - YouTube

Fordham Pro Day: L-Cone Drill - YouTube

Fordham Pro Day: L-Cone Drill - YouTube

The dude is a beast.

[SaintnDE]

I like what I see on that kid.

[hagan714]

6th round pick? trade back into the 7th? roll the dice and wait for UDFA signings? there aint much out there on him but i bet he would be a great special teams player out of the gate

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by Danno

I read a great thread on this kid. He looks like a great fit for what we do. He's projected late 2nd, early 3rd

Maybe we could swing a trade down and still pick him?

Here's a write-up on him (sorry, I didn't look thru 78 pages to see if its been posted yet...



Good prospect, typical pros and cons

He sounds like an ideal SAM Backer in a 3-4...

[hagan714]

Peter Lalich, QB Cal U?

already went through his checked pass

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

Cal U features over a dozen reps at Pro Day

CALIFORNIA (March 11) – The California University of Pennsylvania football program welcomed representatives from more than a dozen NFL teams to Adamson Stadium on Monday morning, as 13 players from Pennsylvania schools participated in Pro Day.

The Vulcans had nine players participate at their annual Pro Day: linebacker Brett Diamond (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca), defensive lineman Jason Kates (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt), offensive lineman Eric Kush (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley), quarterback Peter Lalich (Springfield, Va./West Springfield), defensive back Rontez Miles (Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills), tight end Morrell Presley (Carson, Calif./Carson), running back Lamont Smith (Penn Hills, Pa./Central Catholic), wide receiver Mario Washington (Boiling Springs, N.C./Crest) and tight end Blake Williamson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston).

Cal U also welcomed four additional players from across Pennsylvania to Adamson Stadium on Monday: Kyle Fisher (Bloomsburg), offensive lineman Aaron McGlynn (Kutztown), offensive lineman Nolan Nearhoff (Robert Morris) and tight end Ryan Zarnich (Saint Francis).


The players were tested in a variety of drills conducted at the NFL Combine, such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and three-cone drill, and also participated in position work.

The following team attended Pro Day at Adamson Stadium: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.

California University of Pennsylvania Athletics - Cal U features over a dozen reps at Pro Day