jeohs1111

We all have been going back and forth the last couple of months with which way we think SP and Loomis will go with the upcoming draft. Will they take CB in the 1st, or will they address the needs of offensive firepower and go with WRs, or sure up the offensive line for the future to protect Drew. I have done hours and hours of analysis and watched countless game tape (hate highlight vids because they don't show true potential) on many players that are in the upcoming draft. From what I have seen, this will be one of the deepest drafts in the past 10 years. Good thing for the Saints---the wide receiver position is deep enough to take a very good wide out mid draft; if not toward the end. Saying all of that, here are my predictions for the draft---breaking down by position who I think that Saints could go with and then by scenario.

Running Back (which is a position that I think if any will get passed on by Saints being that we have 4 on roster) *if we trade back though I think we may gamble on one late round
1. Davonta Freeman
2. Henry Josey
3. Antonio Andrews**similar to Forte---can catch and runs hard
4. Dri Archer
5. Ben Malena **really like this kid

Wide Receiver (position I am the most unsure about, but know that we will take one within the first 3 picks and hopefully another late in draft)
1. Odell Beckham
2. Brandin Cooks
3. Kelvin Benjamin
4. Donte Montecrief
5. Martavis Bryant
6. Cody Latimer
7. Ryan Grant
8. John Brown
9. L'Damian Washington
10. Jalen Saunders

Offensive Tackle (a lot of people are stressing over this position, but I think Armstead played well toward the end of the season--espesically for a rookie---I think the Saints draft someone looking for replacement for Strief and back up for an injury)
1. Antonio Richardson *think will be off board early in 2nd
2. James Hurst
3. Billy Turner
4. Jack Mewhort
5. Charles Leno

Center (this position will be based on if the Saints do not pick up Goodwin or not---Lelito knows the calls and the system---so this may be a back up if the BPA at the position doesn't fall to us mid round like 4 or 5)
1. Travis Swanson
2. Weston Richenburg
3. Tyler Larsen
4. Bryan Stork

Defensive Tackle (again this position I think falls with Running back---if we trade back and get more picks---I think we take one)
1. Daniel McCullers **like this guy (Alabama struggled to block him)
2. Justin Ellis
3. Ryan Carrethers
4. Demonte McAllister **good overshadowed by Jernigan

Cornerback (although signed Bailey---think this is still key position)
1. Darqueze Dennard **most complete; only will get him if we trade up
2. Kyle Fuller
3. Stanley Jean-Baptiste **raw talent with good speed
4. Keith McGill **also raw with height and good ball skills
5. Jaylen Watkins
6. Phillips Gaines **outside of Fuller---my favorite to take mid draft
7. Marcus Roberson **similar to P Rob to me
8. Walt Aikens **if he is there late in draft--no brainer
9. Antone Exum **another fav---a lot of people have him at safety but he is definitely a good corner. If it wasn't for injury would be higher---STEAL

Linebackers--Rushers (I don't see the need for rushers as much as everyone else---we have Jordan, Galette, Butler and Hicks is a beast also)
1. Dee Ford
2. Kyle Von Noy
3. Jeremiah Attaochu
4. Trevor Reilly
5. Morgan Breslin
Non Rushers (this is my key to the defense---Seattle and Carolina success comes from their zone linebackers. Must have linebackers that can run and cover zones
1. Ryan Shazier
2. Telvin Smith
3. Christian Jones
4. Khairi Fortt **STEAL dude is physical and can run
5. Boseko Lokombo **side to side pursuit is excellent
6. Kevin Pierre-Louis

With all that said, here are the scenarios:
1st Rd Odell Beckham/Brandin Cooks
2nd Rd Kyle Von Noy/Jeremiah Attaochu (believe they can drop in zone)
3rd Rd Billy Turner/James Hurst
4th Rd Khairi Fortt/Chrisitan Jones
5th Rd Travis Swanson/Brian Stork
5th Rd Cody Latimer/L'Damian Washington
6th Rd Antone Exum/Walt Aikens

1st Rd Ryan Shazier/Dee Ford
2nd Rd BPA @ wide Receiver
3rd Rd Phillip Gaines/Keith McGill
4th Rd Jack Mewhort/Charles Leno
5th Rd Khairi Fortt/Boseko Lokombo
5th Rd Tyler Larsen/Bryan Stork
6th Rd Ryan Grant/John Brown

Now if we trade back again I can see us getting probably getting a 2nd, 3rd and 5th (best possible; and I am stretching with trade back picks)
So we would have 2 2nd Rds, 2 3rd Rds, a 4th Rd, 3 5th Rd, and a 6th Rd---total of 9 picks and I see us taking two linebackers, a cornerback, a wide receiver, and OL within the first five picks. And in those later picks get role players that can compete for position such as Ben Malena, Walt Aikens, Daniel McClullers, or Colt Lyeria.

What do you guys think?

lsutigerfan

Wow, good job. With all that said, I really think the draft will be almost all offense. I think Shawn told Rob Ryan we will help your defense via FA, but the draft is all mine. I expect one maybe two WR. I expect one maybe two O-linemen. I expect them to look for Sproles replacement, DeAnthony Thomas/Dri Archer. Don't be surprised if they take the best kicker in this draft.

This offense NEED to get younger.

|Mitch|

I think Rob gets a LB in the draft; Ford or Attaochu more specifically...

TheOak

Great post, welcome to blackandGold!

Euphoria

My very bold prediction is that we will draft someone at some point in the draft.

Mr.Riaton

Here's a guy who sounds like he knows what he's talking about!

Rugby Saint II

I'm praying that you are right.

saintfan

A wee bit risky for me.

Danno

Not if we trade up or down though. Staying put is also a viable option achieving the same goal. We can go 3 ways here.

Danno

I am curious tho jeohs1111, why no CJ Mosley in your list?