A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

(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

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Really? This is our biggest need?

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

I'm still against it... too deep and too talented. We can wait til the end of the second and land a first round prospect at WR.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

This^^^

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

He said it was one of our top priorities, not our biggest need.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

I think you may still find value in the 3rd round with this bunch of college studs.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

That dude must be reading my posts...

I still can't believe that anyone things the draft is based on needs. You fill your wholes with FA's. Then you draft and hope your draft picks are able to make the roster. The very worse situation is to have to rely on a draft pick that shouldn't be on the roster... that you have to start him.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Very true. I cringe when I hear someone suggest we cut a capable starter and just simply draft his replacement.

It rarely works that way.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Take away Jimmy Graham and we need a new very talented receiver.

See New England game.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

If we go WR than Morgan's knee must not be healing right. We already have a burner.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Morgan has missed playing time for knee x2, and chest.

Morgan knee = Ivory hamstring.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Except with a place kicker! We have more need of a PK than a WR.

Ha! Just scored a double cringe on Danno!

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

This was also evident in the playoff loss to Seattle. They doubled Jimmy, man pressed Colston and dared someone else to beat them. Take OBJ in 1st round then Jarvis in the 3rd.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Definite need for WRs . I don't think that we will be picking a WR in Rd.1 It however is not impossible . Need and value both come into play. I have a feeling that we will go for a OT,CB,S,OLB with our pick. Free agency will have a great deal to determine who we ultimately draft. The saints received some unexpected help by the cap taking a 4 million upswing. This team has a
plan, it will be fun seeing how this develops. Expect us to make some more moves with cuts, paycuts,restructuring etc...

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

I would like to get Matthews but not in the 1st two rounds. Colston 2.0 but faster. Maybe a WR in the 3rd, it is a very deep draft on them.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Need never comes into it.

You take care of the needs in FA!!! You look for rockstars in the draft that you don't count on adding to the team.

The draft is a GAMBLE. You can't count on anyone stepping in and filling a whole from the draft.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Or a very stong run game, just sayin'?

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

That effects Safety's and LBs, minimal if any on Corners.

I would argue WRs not being able to release leaves CBs close enough to jamb up the screen, and gives the defense to more warm bodies at the line of scrimmage to shut down the edge run, letting DTS and LBs focus on the inside run.

No?

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Well if Mike Evans or Brandin Cooks falls then I wouldn't be too upset to grab one. Maybe even Benjamin but I haven't seen enough of him.

BPA, even if it is a WR.

If we don't pick a WR in the 1st then let's watch closely for Moncrief. I still don't understand why that guy isn't getting more attention.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

O.K. point well taken, now on the flip side of that a run power run game( which is a piece or 2 away) makes the D load the box or play tighter to the box which in return opens up the pass, now with that said our WR and TE need to do their job and get off the line for their routes, and this is also the strength of a traditional TE to put a hurt on LB.'s in the run game and passing game. The WR and at least 1 TE we have are more finess than fight so do we replace them all and go with different players or beef up the line and make the run game open things up? I have no problem with a reciever or TE in the draft as long as they fight.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Evans looks like he has all of the tools to become a stud WR. If you watch some of college tape at TAM, he uses that big body to out physical defenders. He is already getting the Vincent Jackson type of comparison.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Benjamin had some drop issues.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

How awesome would it be to have an Evans or Benjamin (after fixing the dropsies) running to a corner in the endzone while Graham heads to the other corner? That would make even Richard Sherman quit talking.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Davante Adams please. He's not as tall as Evans or Benjamin but he's still a redzone threat. Guy has some serious hops.

http://usatq.files.wordpress.com/201...si_7587531.jpg

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

No doubt, serious hops on Adams ...#17 in blue/gold appears as if his feet are glued shut to the turf (lol)!

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Tevin Reese says "dat man can't jump". Actually, Reese had a 41" vertical and Adams a 39.5". #1 and #2 (tied with Bruce Ellington). They can all jump!

http://cdn.unathleticmag.com/wp-cont...ng-500x372.jpg

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

No need to replace, PFF ranked Ben Watson in the top 10 for run blocking TEs last season.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

Maybe Morgan just isn't that good. Saints dont need a decent wr, they need a number 1 or 2 and Morgan isnt even close.

I dont know why all the love for Morgan as a receiver. I do like him returning kicks though, but thats it.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

i do think we need to but i can not see SP not going with the WOW factor.

Re: A receiver for Saints in Round 1?
 

This is partially true. But before any player becomes a free agent he is first a rookie. Sometimes there are no answers in free agency, and you do have to rely on the draft. It's not a sure thing, but it's sometimes the only thing.

And if we didn't need receivers then there would be no reason to draft a receiver. You draft for need, not because it's a guaranteed fix, but because you gotta get talented players in at positions of need and try to develop them.

In this years' case, I can see the Saints drafting just about any position, so it won't surprise me if they take a receiver. It's a not a glaring need, but we could use a legitimate number 1, and there are a ton of guys who have that potential in this class.