TheOak

(Mike Triplett)

The highly-touted wide receiver class lived up the hype this weekend at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. With so many prospects expected to be worthy of first-round grades this year, I could absolutely see the Saints taking a receiver in Round 1 of this year's draft.

As I write every year, I don't think the Saints will lock themselves into any one positional need in the draft -- especially not all the way down at pick No. 27. But I do think the receiver position will rank among their top draft priorities. I think they could use more of a dynamic speed element in the short term. And they'll need to restock the position in the future with longtime veterans like Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem getting older.

That's why I think the draft makes even more sense than free agency for the Saints when it comes to the receiver position.

Even before the combine workouts began, many analysts were talking about this being a deep draft class for wide receiver talent. Then the buzz only grew louder once the prospects went through their drills -- as you can read here in these breakdowns from ESPN's NFL Insider John Clayton and ESPN.com's Jets reporter Rich Cmini.

LSU's Odell Beckham Jr. and Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews were two prospects, in particular, who reportedly strengthened their case to be drafted in Round 1 with impressive 40-yard dash times, among other drills. If they're too impressive, they might wind up being taken even before the Saints get a crack at them. Nevertheless, the overall depth at a need position is a good thing.

Beckham is a particularly intriguing prospect in New Orleans since he brings that dynamic speed element -- and because Saints fans are so familiar with his work from just down the road in Baton Rouge. Beckham ran the 40 in 4.43 seconds.

LSU's other top receiver prospect Jarvis Landry didn't fare as well this weekend after reportedly pulling a hamstring. The Times-Picayune's Jim Kleinpeter broke down their performances.
A receiver for Saints in Round 1? - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

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