saintsfan1976

From my Insider account. Likable scenarios here gang....

Gotta believe our pass rush was impacted by the lack of CB play. That's why you're seeing the D line be restructured and CB's being trucked into New Orleans daily!

I'm fine with CB at #13 and of course, my man Eli Harold at #31....

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New Orleans Saints' draft options following Jimmy Graham trade - 2015 NFL draft - ESPN

In what has been one the wildest starts to free agency in NFL history, the New Orleans Saints sent star tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks. In exchange, the Saints acquired center Max Unger while swapping their fourth-round pick for the Seahawks' first-round pick (No. 31 overall).


Losing Graham, who is the most dynamic pass-catching TE in the league, is certainly a big blow. However, a big factor in the Saints' 7-9 record last season was a lack of toughness in the trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage. By acquiring Unger, they fill a need and immediately upgrade the interior offensive line.

Tight end has now moved near the top in terms of team needs, but first, the Saints must address the defensive side of the ball. This is a unit that took a huge step back in 2014, ranking near the bottom in all major categories, including scoring (28th), total yards (31st), rushing yards (29th), and passing yards (25th). With New Orleans now having two first-round picks, expect them to use at least one of them on defense, targeting either the defensive line (for pass-rushing help) or the cornerback position.

Here are a few players the Saints could target with the No. 13 and 31 picks:


Pick No. 13
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Cornerback Keenan Lewis had a strong year, but former 2010 first-round pick Patrick Robinson is likely gone, and the need for a second or third option is there. Waynes is a logical fit here. He has good size, excellent top-end speed and adequate ball skills. While he has some tightness -- particularly in off-man coverage -- he is able to mask these issues with quality balance and strong technique. Waynes has the ability to develop into an effective press corner opposite Lewis, which would allow defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to be aggressive in dialing up blitzes in an effort to manufacture pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The Saints could certainly use a dominant edge pass-rusher like Vic Beasley.
New Orleans' sack production dropped from near the top of the league in 2013 with 49 sacks (fourth) to near the bottom in 2014, with just 34 (25th). The good news for the Saints is they can find help from a deep crop of edge-rushers in this year's class. Beasley has an elite trait with his first-step quickness and flexibility turning the corner, while also showing an effective inside changeup and explosive closing burst.

He helped his stock with an outstanding combine showing last month. He tested extremely well, but most importantly added 26 pounds since last spring, checking in at 246 while throwing up the most bench press reps (35) of any defensive lineman there. These factors help ease concerns about his size and ability to hold up against the run.

Others: New Orleans could also continue to address the offensive line with the 13th pick. Stanford OT Andrus Peat needs work with technique and playing with more balance, but has the highest ceiling in terms of size and athleticism in the class. Iowa OT Brandon Scherff has questions about whether he could hold up at right tackle, but has the chance to be an outstanding guard if bumped inside. He plays with the nasty demeanor that the Saints need along the front line.

Pick No. 31
Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia

This may be a little early for Harold, but with edge-rushers such as Beasley, Nebraska's Randy Gregory, Florida's Dante Fowler and Missouri's Shane Ray all likely off the board, he is next in line. He has the developmental upside as a rusher that makes him worthy of taking a chance on in the late first round. While he needs to continue to get stronger, Harold has a lot of natural tools as an edge-rusher. He displays above-average first-step quickness and good torso flexibility bending the edge and flashes some savvy abilities both in working his opponents and maneuvering his pads to get skinny and slip through tight creases.

Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Johnson has the cleanest pure movement skills of any cornerback in the class. He is loose in the hips and shows excellent flexibility in his lower half that provides him with quality mirror capabilities in man coverage. In addition, Johnson displays strong field awareness, recognizing route concepts, and flashes the anticipation skills to manufacture big plays. At 6-foot and 188 pounds, he has a lean frame and needs to continue to add bulk. However, he is willing to step up in run support, and plays with the type of confident edge you like to see at the position.

Others: It should be noted that if Washington CB Marcus Peters is still on the board, he would be a steal at this point. On tape, Peters is the most gifted cornerback in this class, but comes with a lot of character concerns that will likely cause him to fall into the late first round. If the Saints feel comfortable with Peters taking the necessary steps in terms of maturity moving forward, he would be worth the risk, as they would be getting a top-15-caliber player based on pure talent.

Lastly, if the Saints do look to try to fill the void left by Graham at the tight end position, Minnesota TE Maxx Williams would be the only viable option late in the first. He isn't nearly as athletic as Graham, but is the most complete tight end in the class, with good size and body control and strong hands. In addition, he would provide an upgrade over Graham as an inline blocker if New Orleans is looking to bolster its ground game. Williams holds a second-round grade, but might get pushed up into the late first due to the thin overall class; Miami TE Clive Walford is the next-highest-rated tight end after Williams, and has a fringe second-round grade.

stickman

I like that there are 3 CB's considered first round talent. I'd be happy with one, but, what if we got two of them? Wow, Rob Ryan would cry.

rezburna

I want Vic Beasley at 13 and either Bernardrick McKinney or Senquez Gholson at 31. Gholson is from my neck of the woods. I think he'll be a star.

|Mitch|

O-Line or Defense and I'm happy!

VegasSaint9

I want one of those pass rushers at 13 they're the cream of the crop for this draft. waynes will be gone by 13. One of the OLbs/DEs will fall to us. We basically get the player that slips out of the first round looking at it right now. I want both 1st round picks to be LBs. If Perrymans there in the 2nd i hope we snag him.

lee909

One of Kendricks,Perryman,McKinney,Anthony or Dawson will be there at R2

lee909

I will throw my tv through the window if that happens. He is rated as a 3-4 rounder. He is 5'8 in a division of giants

Boutte

No good Lb prospects?

saintsfan1976

Besides Beasley and Harold?

lee909

Id be happy to take any of Kendricks,McKinney,Perryman and possibly Anthony with the 31st