New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

The New Orleans Saints continued to revamp their secondary on Thursday night, selecting Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro in the first round with the 15th overall pick.

New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick | NOLA.com




STRENGTHS NFL starting combo safety material with a very good blend of overall strength and athleticism. Often used as a nickel back despite a thick overall build. Very loose hips and good overall change-of-direction ability. Locks onto slot receivers at the line and has the agility and straight-game speed to stay with them on out routes and downfield. Physical with receivers trying to block him in the run game, has the strength to rip off and make a stop. Solid open-field tackler, uses great effort and his upper-body strength to drag down ball carriers. Strong off the edge as a blitzer, has bend to turn the corner and gets physical with running backs standing in his way. Flashes the hands and body control to catch passes away from his body. Good change of direction ability and shows the range to play the half-field in Cover Two. Attacks downhill against the run well, running the alley aggressively from deep-half coverage.

WEAKNESSES Used extensively in man coverage and around the line, must continue improving as a reliable back-half defender against the pass and last line of defense against long runs. One-speed player who lacks burst. Is not quite agile or fast enough to stick with better NFL receivers, backpedal is high and stiff, can be out-quicked in space, and loses a step running down the seam. Can get caught freelancing and watching the backfield in zone coverage, and will bite on play action. Knee injury ended his senior season in high school after three games. Can fill downhill out of control, losing his leverage on the ball carrier and missing tackles. Doesn’t always take good angles and is prone to running himself too far upfield when he’s the “force” defender.
Kenny Vaccaro Draft Profile

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Great pick. Surprised we didn't take Floyd, but this is a damn good pick.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Im really cool with this pick.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Is this the end of the Harper era?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Dont know what to make of this pick, first thing they said is inconsistent tackler and that's all we need on a team full of shoddy tacklers

I'll obviously support him but from the tape i watched of him I wasnt impressed, slow to the ball, over pursues alot, dives at ball carriers feet (oh god) and read and reacts slow

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

SF gets Reid

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

We have enough safeties who can't catch. Hate this pick. hope he proves me wrong.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Strengths: Prototypical size and build for the position. Possesses a high-cut frame with good overall musculature. Shows very good straight-line speed, agility, balance and hip flexibility. Athleticism for coverage duties are enhanced by Vaccaro's vision and instincts. Quickly locates the ball and shows an understanding of route-progression, rarely getting caught out of position.

Often asked to drop down from his free safety position to cover the slot, demonstrating a smooth backpedal, hip turn and the burst out of his breaks to stay in the hip pocket of his opponent. Hasn't generated the number of interceptions of prior UT defensive backs, but has good ball skills and showed greater willingness to jump routes as a senior.

Highly aggressive run defender. Flies to the line in run support, demonstrating a physical pop and generally reliable open-field tackling skills. Possesses the long, strong arms for the drag-down tackle, as well as good closing speed in pursuit and on the occasional blitz.

Weaknesses: Can get out of control in his aggression toward the line of scrimmage. Will duck his head in his attempt to make the big hit and leave cut-back lanes for patient, explosive runners to take full advantage. Must do a better job of wrapping up, rather than leading with his shoulder.

Hasn't shown the consistency as ballhawk considering his hype, recording only five interceptions in 51 career games. Teams will want to ask Vaccaro about a few run-ins with authorities. He was reportedly arrested following a fight with another Texas student in 2009 and again in 2012 after failing to obey a lawful order, a misdemeanor.

Compares To: Eric Weddle, FS, San Diego Chargers -- Like the highly instinctive and versatile Weddle, Vaccaro has the athleticism and size to line up wherever his NFL team needs him most. Vaccaro hasn't yet shown the same ball skills as the Chargers' Pro Bowler but showed signs of improving in this area as a senior.

--Rob Rang

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

I'm glad we upgraded at safety and Vacarro is an OK pick but his weaknesses scare me a little. Seems like another safety who is prone to getting beat deep.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

I believe this will turn out to be a very solid pick. I have a good feeling about this kid! Lord knows we need a spy in the back field.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Can he cover the TE? Harper can't.:rolleyes:

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Well Vacarro is listed as a FS, but does have some in the box skills too.

Is it the end of Jenkins?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Jenkins to 3 CB?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Harper has been one of the better SS's around covering TE's for several years. Are you thinking of Jenkins?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Gonzales? Wait... is Danno taking up for Harper?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

I think Vac moves to the strong side.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

FS needs to catch the ball and have greater range.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Only when someone posts something false about him.;)

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Watching his highlights, call me crazy but he has a lot Malcolm Jenkins in him. Which can be a good thing or bad thing... depending on which one decides to show up.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

In all fairness, name me one safety tbat can cover Gonzales.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Ed reed

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Gonzo burned our LB's and CB's and Jenkins for most of both games.

It doesn't surprise me in the least that some fans assumed it was Harper.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Vaccaro (6-foot, 214) was a 32-game starter for the Longhorns, leading the team in tackles (107) as a senior and finishing his career with five interceptions to go with four forced fumbles. Despite average long speed (4.63), Vaccaro displays outstanding range and man-coverage skills on tape, in addition to aggressiveness in run support. He jumped 38" vertically at the Combine and showed splendid short-area movement with a 6.78 three-cone drill. Vaccaro has an NFL-ready skill set because he can cover one-on-one and guard the deep half as a single-high safety. The Texas products' specialty is lining up against mismatch targets, whether it be quick slot receivers or larger tight ends. That will certainly help in a division which features Tony Gonzalez and Greg Olsen.

via rotoworld

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

I like the pick, and glad to see it. I wanted Jones, but this still puts a smile on my face

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Odd that he timed slower than Jenkins and Harper in the 40. I didn't know that.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Again name me one.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Super excited about this pick...

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

The honey badger this year??? :saintsfan:

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Harper or Jenkins is gone.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Easy to see on his highlight tape, he's constantly chasing after ball carriers and not in good position to make a tackle
First thing I noticed is very slow to the ball and has attitude problems (pushing after the whistle)
Massively underwhelmed with this pick, lets hope he can prove me wrong

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Yeah, that is what I am thinking also. I would think Harper, only because you need your strong safety to cover more in the 34.

I'm wondering if we will see any trades from this point forward, from the Saints. I've reserved myself to the fact that we will not be picking tomorrow night. But I would like to see a very busy day on Saturday.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

We upgraded our worst position on the team by far. Vaccaro could be great, could be average or could be another Harper. We will wait to see.

My question is who does he replace.. cutting Harper saves 3.5 mil...

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

How so?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Nice sports science vid .... good pick! The Whiners wanted him, methinks.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

My assumption is you will see more blitzing from our linebackers, which is going to match up our safeties more. Again, that is just my assumption.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Another wasted first round pick. With no run defense and no pass rush the DBs are toast.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

How do you know we won't have run defense or a pass rush?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

We needed a safety that can help us cover down field. Taking Vaccaro allows Ryan to not deviate front what he likes to do with our front 7. It's not the sexy pick quite of few of us wanted... but it's a good sound choice. Harper isn't a spring chicken anymore either. Obviously Ryan likes our linebackers more than some of you think. Let's not underestimate what Ryan could do with Wilson, Butler, and Galette.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

Did I miss some quality offseason additions at DL or LB? There isnt a lesser talented front 7 in the NFL.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th pick
 

sorry with the players still on the board i can not back the pick. besides the saints so far have not added anyone to the secondary that can generate turnovers. questionable tackling to boot? i do not get it.