Re: 2015 draft??
 

+1. There are studs out there .... even up in the Pacific Northwest (Shaq). We need to really scout these guys hard and make a good decision on draft day.

Like I have said many times, the next Luke Kiechly is out there but we (talent evaluators) have to do a better job of finding them.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

If he can't fit in a 3-4 then he should not be drafted. He had some nice explosive plays.

Will Brees really play better if he had a defensive player like that though?

Re: 2015 draft??
 

That's what I was kind of curious about where his fit would be in a 3-4 and the 4-2-5. It sounds like he has to be the weakside ILB.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Really can't agree with anything you said...

First, your trying to convert a LB/RB to a SS... I don't know where to start with that, because we have had such great success developing talent in the past right...

Secondly, there is no need for a true SS because the league is moving away from them all together. Furthermore we have 3 tremendous safeties on the roster already with Byrd, Warren and Bush. Byrd and Warren should start and Bush would be a great backup if one gets hurt; both Byrd and Warren tackle and play the run well so there is no need for a true SS.

Lastly, I really hope we don't take on any hybrid type players. Vaccaro is that type of player and we don't know how to manage them. The Saints organization is extremely poor at developing talent on the defensive side so it's important we are drafting players that have a defined role and can start day one.

I really dislike the prospect of Shaq for our team.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

He appears to be an amazing fit at linebacker in the 4-2-5, covering all that space with his speed, quickness...

And in the 3-4, it'd be shutdown on his side for sure...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

not really he played SS before moving to the OLB/RB role. Plus we need a safety that can plug the lanes big time.

he is a 3 down player all the way. bring in another safety move him down to LB. he wont miss a beat.

He is the type of player like Kenny you can line up all over the place. but instead of a CB?/S you have a S/LB.

I see another Kam Chancellor, in the kid

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Round 1 - LB Shaq Thompson, Washington (Jr); 6' 2", 231lbs

He's got elite athleticism and situational flexibility would have a huge impact; he'd be a no brainer if he's there when we pick; no one wants to tank, but it wouldn't be a bad thing if we had a higher spot in the draft to select him...


Round 2 - NT Malcolm Brown, Texas (Jr); 6' 4", 325lbs

We regressed this season plugging up the middle; not sure John Jenkins was completely healed and Bunkley looked like age and past mileage caught up with him; Brown could be what Nagoti has been for the Ravens...

Round 3 - OG Jarvis Harrison, Texas A & M (Sr); 6' 3", 325 lbs

The only reason he falls this far is because he'll need some coaching up; he's flashed special brillance at times and just needs the right leadership and coaching to put it together...

Round 4 - DE Lynden Trail, Norfolk State (Sr); 6' 7", 260 lbs

Big plans fell through when Urban Meyer bailed on Florida; it set this freakish athelete back; and though he's played at a small school to recover his football career, he's continued to get bigger and could be what Cam Jordan was suppose to be for the Saints...

Round 5 - LB Jake Ryan, Michigan (Sr); 6' 3", 235 lb

Haven't had this smart a linebacker since Scott Fujita left; he's got great size and his 'football IQ and acumen' is exactly what the doctor ordered to lead the linebacking corps...

Round 6 - OL Ben Beckwith, Mississippi St (Sr); 6' 3", 305 lbs

Flexible interior linemen; started at Center for State in a spot start - and got named SEC offensive lineman of the week no less; at the least, adds much needed quality depth to the offensive line, but he'll start by end of his rookie year...

Round 7 - OL Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney, (Sr); 6' 5", 304 lbs

Another small school diamond in the rough; scouts keep noting two stand out qualities; first, he's very athletic as he plays fullback in a special power punch package for his team; second, he's got a nasty disposition of laying out the pain; Sold!

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Like your picks Jeanpierre.. don`t see it happening tough. Will draft at least one WR and one DB. Maybe even draft a kicker!

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Jank, with respect to picking a DB we will have the following under contract going into next season - Byrd, Vaccaro, Bush, Lewis, White, Stanley Jean-Baptiste and they'll probably claim rights to Warren - so CB is a strong possiblity, but I suspect they'll go FA for that solution...

With WR, we'll have Colston, Cooks, Stills, Toon, Saunders, S Jones under contract and B Coleman is getting a debut in the season finale...

Quite frankly, when you factor the TEs and the RBs, there are only so many touches and common sense and Parcells philosophy has to set in that you've got to win the first battle, the line of scrimmage, before all these talented skill players can make plays for you...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

I have reached a level of acceptance with the saints. if everyone stays on the coaching the coaching staff i say offense all the way. defense will never be top at anything. once Rob was figured out it was down hill for a season and half. at best i say go with his track record top 25 and be happy. lets get Drew what he needs early and often

CB is still the area i think the saints can make the biggest impact on the defense with just one pick. two man cover on the wings and let the rest of the defense worry about the middle of the field.

if the saints draft a player like Shaq Thompson i will be shocked. he would stop this silly 3 and 4 safety look.

but after that it has to be offense.

I think the the #1 goal for the saints is to trade out unless something falls into their lap. after a year like this the saints have to realize they need to add more than the usual few pieces here and there. be aggressive in round two or three for the love of god. not all your answers are found in round 1

Re: 2015 draft??
 

^That is who I want in the first round. High motor, no quit, versatile. This is what our defense needs.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

BOOM!

Re: 2015 draft??
 

There's no question we need to fix several areas - all along the offensive line and the front seven on defense should be replaceable with the exception of Armstead, maybe a healthy Jenkins...

But we've got to take those high picks when they come because those are your difference makers to championships...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

i know just think the state of this team is worse than i have seen in years. besides the saints never add picks in the top half of the draft. we always subtract

Re: 2015 draft??
 

and that's caught up to us...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

What was his plays against Oregon and USC?

Re: 2015 draft??
 

NO NO and NO...

He has bust written all over him. His play on defense is average at best. Most of his notable performances come from running through house sized holes as a RB and picking up fumbles.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Here's my scenario

Round 1
Plan A-Shane Ray, OLB
Plan B-Vic Beasley, OLB
Plan C-La'el Collins, OT
Plan D-Bernardrick MicKinnley, ILB

Round 2
Plan A-Erreck Flowers, OT
Plan B-Dorial Green-Beckham(if Flowers is gone), WR
Plan C-OLB available(i forgot who I named from MSU)
Plan D-OLB available

Round 3
Plan A-Ragman or Frost, ILB
Plan B-Ragman or Frost, ILB
Plan C-Ragman or Frost, ILB
Plan D-Corey Robinson, OT

Round 4
Plan A-Devin Funchess, WR
Plan B-Corey Robinson, OT
Plan C-Devin Funchess, WR
Plan D-Devin Funchess, WR

If we have to draft a RB in case Ingram leaves, hopefully Mike Davis is available in the fourth. We need to start drafting some gamecocks.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Listen, heres the thing. Im all for Shane Ray & Vic Beasley as football players. But i cant see us finding a fit for Shane Ray on this team CURRENTLY. What will he play? OLB? junior has that role & we're paying him a hell of alot of money to rush the passer. Thats what shane ray does, he's not yet ready to take on much more than that as he still has to develop & learn to defend the run better, Forget about pass coverage. DE? Undersized for that position(6'3, 240)...not the type of guy the saints or teams usually look at for a 3-4 DE(Cam 6'4 287, Akiem 6'5,324) ..same issue ppl tried to label on michael sam last year but he had about 20 more pounds on him at around 261. Shane ray is a different monster & ALOT more talented though. Replace Haralson? Sure i can see that but then that leaves us with a bigger issue in pass coverage than this year, as haralson was our best passing down option imo. So its just hard to find a spot for him.

Vic Beasley has got to put on some weight!(6'2, 235 at best) But i do like him. As i did last year. His only option is an OLB, which still leaves us in the same predicament as shane ray. & i dont exactly believe in Joe Vitt to coach either of them up.

I would not be upset with either of these guys though

The Saints WILL NOT draft a guy like Dorial Green-Beckham. Even though he is a rare talent(6'6 & can run like a deer.) id personally love to see what he can do, but we wont see that with this organization. They dont usually draft these kind of problems. Too many off the field issues.

Last but not least, Devin Funchess will not fall past the 2nd round. Theres no way.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

For anyone that watched us this year we were defeated upfront all year long. Please get Drew the help he needs. Oline, fix the oline. that will do a lot more than our defense, which until we find a way to get pressure IDC who you stick in the back is't going to matter

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Not a bad pick. Drafting an RB could definitely happen.

I like the idea of an RB in the middle rounds if Ingram isnt signed. Ameer Abdullah, Jay Ajayi, David Cobb to name a few. Draft is deep at RB so im sure we can find someone i'll like.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Gamecocks?!?

They are, what did Ralphie's Dad say...They're F-R-A-G-I-L-E'; that's it, they must be Italian...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

I don't get why LSU fans hate SC? They don't play every year and now once every 6 now and are in two different divisions. Really usually what SC does has no bearing on LSU unless they beat a division rival, only until, if it happens, the two meet in the coveted SEC title game.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Ray and Beasly play the same position as Shaq.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Yeah which is why I hope Collins is there when we pick. It's all about mentality more than talent. The teams from the SEC have serious coaches and competition that the players just have to be mentally sharp. I just don't know if we can get that from Scherff immediately. I thought we needed help at OLB. It always helps to have good backups.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Latest mock with us having the 13th pick


R1P13. VIC BEASLEY - OLB - CLEMSON
-Beast! And we need a solid 3-4 OLB who can get after the QB

R2P12 - T.J. CLEMMINGS - OT - PITTSBURGH
- Strief is getting old, though he still plays well. Clemmings would be a good replacement and give us two solid bookends

R3P11. RASHAD GREENE - WR - FLORIDA STATE
- solid all around WR who just makes plays. Cooks, Stills and Greene, with big guys Coleman and Jones with Colston as a vet on the team would be great

R4P13. ARIE KOUANDJIO - OG - ALABAMA
-we all know how our guard play was this year, and its safe to think one of our guards may be released this coming season. We need new blood and Kouandjio could step right in

R5P12. STEVEN NELSON - CB - OREGON STATE
- he won't have all the "measurables" at the combine, but he plays aggressively, challenges at the line of scrimmage and plays like he's the biggest and baddest mofo on the field. Also great in the run game. We need some toughness out there with Lewis

R6P11. DAVID JOHNSON - RB - NORTHERN IOWA
- all he did last season was rush for 1553 yards (and 17 TDs) and catch 38 passes for 536 yards and two more TDs. A power runner who is also great out of the backfield. Seeing that Ingram may find more money elsewhere, a new back may be needed

R7P13. A.J. JOHNSON - ILB - TENNESSEE
- guess his off field issue late in the season has him dropping to the 7th now, which I was more than happy top grab him. Great talent on the field, and only one off field incident I saw. High reward guy at an area we need youth and talent

Re: 2015 draft??
 

No way do I see Arie Kouandjio falling to the 4th round... He's likely to go somewhere in the second round...

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Off field issues

Supplying alcohol to a minor
Resisting arrests

Now investigated for Rape and sexual assault.

No thanks

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Who is this?

Re: 2015 draft??
 

I think that's AJ Johnson's rap sheet.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Sorry yes that's AJ Johnson rap sheet

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Yes, all 3 are labeled "OLB"

Shaq is a 4-3 OLB
Beasley & Ray are 3-4 OLB...big diffrence.

Different skill set & shaq could probably scoot over to a 3-4 ILB.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

I would like to agree with you, but David Yankey and Cyril Richardson didn't go until the 5th last year. Guards can fall. I don't know why.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Yep... A lot of teams will draft tackles and slide them inside to guard before drafting a pure guard. Maybe teams like that versatility.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

more tackles are jumping into the draft also. day 1 and day 2. so you never know. OT is looking pretty darn good this year.

Donovan Smith Penn St and Ereck Flowers Miami

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Exactly.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

With the sacking starting the team needs to hurry up and get me over there.
If i can draft like this online,im guessing doing it in the real thing cant be any harder
Fanspeak

13: R1
OT ANDRUS PEAT
STANFORD

44: R2
OT LA'EL COLLINS
LSU

75: R3
ILB ERIC KENDRICKS
UCLA

109: R4
G ARIE KOUANDJIO
ALABAMA

140: R5
DE OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA
UCLA

171: R6
QB KEVIN HOGAN
STANFORD

205: R7
OLB JAMES VAUGHTERS
STANFORD

I wanted Cole Manhart, OT, Nebraska-Kearney,Lynden Trail, OLB, Norfolk State,Charles Tuaau, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce in the last couple but not on the selection list

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Just been reading some things about some small school guys so posted a few up


Charles Tuaau, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce
Particulars: 6-foot-5, 310 pounds
Buzz: Tuaau, a native of Hawaii, made a huge impact in his first season with the Division II Lions after transferring from a California junior college; he had 12.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss -- staggering numbers for a nose tackle -- in garnering Lone Star Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors last fall. Tuaau signed with Hawaii out of high school but ended up at Pasadena City College in 2011. He played for Riverside community college in 2012 then signed with Oregon State in February 2013. But he didn't meet OSU's academic requirements and ended up at Texas A&M-Commerce (known as East Texas State until 1996), which is located in a town of population 9,000 about an hour northeast of downtown Dallas. His disruptive nature will intrigue NFL scouts.





Xavier Williams, DT, Northern Iowa
Particulars: 6-foot-4, 311 pounds
Buzz: Williams is big, physical and active. The then-junior had 74 tackles last season to go with 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss; he also blocked five kicks in the 2012 season, one of which occurred against Wisconsin. Williams is a former high school wrestler who does a good job with leverage considering his height.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Lynden Trail, OLB, Norfolk State
Particulars: 6-foot-7, 260 pounds
Buzz: Trail is an intriguing prospect because of his size, production (he had 8.5 sacks and 94 tackles last season) and background (he began his college career at Florida and was considered one of the nation's top high school defensive ends at powerhouse Miami Washington). He also had 12.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, 10 quarterback hurries and eight pass breakups last season. He has 14.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in two seasons with the Spartans. Trail has gained more than 40 pounds since graduating from high school. Of note: He didn't play at all at Florida -- he redshirted as a true freshman in 2010 and did not seeing any time in 2011 before deciding to move on. But as he has gained weight, he has made big strides on the field. His size and pass-rush skills are notable.

Re: 2015 draft??
 

Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford
Particulars: 6-foot-1, 218 pounds
Buzz: Tartt has good size and is extremely active in run support; he also runs well for his size (he has been clocked as fast as 4.46 in the 40). He had 98 tackles last season for the Bulldogs -- the year the team won the Southern Conference. He also had one interception, which he returned for a score, and nine pass breakups. Tartt has made 192 tackles and scored three defensive touchdowns in the past two seasons. The safety only played one season of high school football in Mobile, Alabama.