Beastmode

Prepared to eat crow, but we are moving up. That will become evident when the Bucs pass on Winston. We are going to get the best defender we can get. I don't know who that is at this point but the tea leaves to me say it would be stupid not to do this. We will do whatever it takes to grab as high as we can.

Lenny100

I could go for the LB in the #13 spot, as well.

Thanks for weighing in.

Lenny100

Nothing surprises me with Loomis. I believe he's traded up unnecessarily for Ingram and Cooks when both very likely would've still been available where the Saints' selections spots were.

The rule of thumb is when you have a deep draft (like this one) and not a great spread of talent between #16 and #50 (for example) you trade DOWN and not UP. Of course, Loomis leaves a lot to be desired (imo).

Lenny100

Gracias. I can see you are a person of good journalistic taste.

Lenny100

Thank you.

saintsfan1976

We don't need drastic moves in the draft to be in the playoffs again.

Rugby Saint II

No. We need talent on the roster. Smart drafting not semi-smart gambles is what we need.

Marlboro Man

I can tell you put a lot of thought, research and effort into this post, and you make some very interesting points for your arguments. That being said, I get VERY NERVOUS when the Saints make trades. They invariably give up too much and don't demand enough in return for what they ask. Just look at the trade with Seattle as an example. We should NEVER have given up our 4th round pick in that deal. Seeing your examples of how we can replace certain players that we would trade, I don't necessarily agree with the players you picked us to draft. I can see Leonard Williams, but then I'd want Scherff in that same round if possible, as well as some other players that I feel are better at their positions than some listed. I'd like to see what you could come up with such as multiple trades, ie at least 2, with two different teams in the first round that could make the above happen. Otherwise a good post and a good read. Thanks

Lenny100

Marlboro Man:

Thank you very much...and I like your way of thinking, too.

Tedi Bruschi said today that Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson is 'worth more than the #1 overall pick this year' when commenting on ESPN. If that's the case, what are Jordan's and Gallette's respective values on the open market if they were "available" as Wilkerson appears to be?

Bear in mind, Wilkerson is under the same $7M fifth-year option compensation clause Cameron Jordan is. What could the Saints get for either Jordan or Gallette based on Bruschi's valuation conjecture/opinion?

I think it's wise for the Saints to explore DE values this year given the two contracts in place for Gallette and Jordan and the deep draft in DL.

I also think Dallas could become a trade partner with #27 overall and a need for DE, SS, and LB...the parts mentioned in this hypothetical offering for discussion and retorts.

Lenny100

Of course, the "goal" is not merely to be in the playoffs again. The goal is, if I'm not mistaken, to field one highly competitive and championship-caliber NFL team each and every season using all possible means necessary.

Personnel changes, financial prudence, and thinking outside the box with calculated risks/rewards are all parts of the equation in my estimation.