ProMallNinja

If we consider it an absolute that the Saints are targeting pass rush help in the first round of this year's draft, then would Butler, an unproven, four year back-up, change those plans? I'm a little skeptical. To put my opinion in perspective, I will say that, at this point, I view Galette as situational pass rusher only and see Wilson as the only chance of a full time starting OLB currently on our roster. With that being said, I don't put a lot of stock in any of them as being "guaranteed productive starters"....yet. Like I said, I'm a skeptic, and I want one of them to step up and prove me wrong before I buy into them and get disappointed. So, the main thing I'm wondering is do unproven commodities like Galette, Wilson, and/or Butler make us feel comfortable enough at that position to let the priority of more help slide a few rounds? I would give a resounding "NO!" as an answer to my own question, but I want to hear some opinions on it. I keep hearing guys requesting a LT in the first round, & I battle with this in my mind, as well. Part of me says, "We rarely target OL early on.", but another part of me says, "Yeah, but we find diamonds late at the interior positions. It's a lot harder to do that with a bookend." I am finding myself experiencing a lot of turmoil over the thought of Jones or Harris protecting our $100M backside. Chime in, gents!

Danno

I thnk our goal is to be able to select the BPA in the draft or be in a good position to trade down if there are multiple BPA's at 15.

We still need a LT and DT depth, but the draft is still 5 weeks away.

ProMallNinja

Yeah. I am still holding out hope that we take a look at Alan Branch at NT. I think the combination of him, Bunkley, and Hicks in that rotation saves us a pick this year. I know that Loomis and Payton have a plan. I'm just passing some time and relieving some anxiety by speculating.

FinSaint

Placing Hicks into the NT rotation would IMO be a waste of his ability and skill set, and I'd much rather see him opposite Jordan as the other DE.

ProMallNinja

I agree with that assessment, Fin, but I do look at him as a guy that could potentially play all over the place on that line. His size and athleticism make him very versatile. I do agree that the best end result for him is DE in Ryan's 3-4. I just feel like in the first year of this system with our cap/draft situation there has to be some places where guys get moved around a bit to kind of "make the best out of what we have" until we can continue to fill in the blanks and add competition next offseason.

hagan714

no it would not. if OLB is there you gotta take him if he is the BPA in your book. it is better to have to many than not enough. then again i was screaming how many mlb does a club need. lol.

but till we see how the team works in this new 34

Remeber you are trying to sign Butler who served in a mostly reserve role in his four seasons in Dallas. Butler has 11 sacks. Last season, Butler recorded 25 tackles, three sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

you are gambling on whether or not Butler is ready to step into a starting role. IMO it is a low risk move. If he does the Saints have a solid steal in free agency. It does depend on the contract of course.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

saintsfan403

I like adding Butler cause it adds depth, but I still think we go for an OLB in the draft.

Leighton B

WE TARGET: CB or Safety depending on the rest of FA
Rd 1. Either position of need with the best available taken!
You can target LT if other teams fill there LT in FA and a 1st rounder falls to 15 but I don't see it happening. Now you go back to Defense in the next couple rounds maybe a Safety, NT, CB, or OLB with B.P.A RUNNING YOUR BOARD! #WHODAT I LOVE THERE FA MOVES SO FAR!
Now The season maker will be trading or cutting Roman Harper he's an outcast in an aggressive 3-4! He needs to be in an aggressive style 4-3 where you don't have extra LBs there to blitz! He can't cover in a man situation! #useless to us but very effective in a system like Greg Williams or Jeff Fisher!

lee909

Harper won't be getting traded to the Titans.They have signed Pollard.Cant seeing teams touching Harper with his cap number.

nycsaintfan

I agree with this. This organization has gone with best player available for years. Although we have tons of needs on the defensive side of the ball, pending upon how the next few weeks go in free agency I could see them doing what they always do...

Also, I know most of us would like to see Harper gone. But, I really don't see that happening.