This is what happens when you know what you want and have a plan. The Saints traded for center Max Unger and drafted tackle Andrus Peat in the first round. They're going to have one of the biggest, most talented lines in the NFL in 2015, all the better to protect an aging Drew Brees—and his possible successor, Grayson.

The first of the non-blue-chip quarterbacks off the board, Grayson will have at least a year to develop under Payton and Brees. If he can assume the throne when Brees steps down (or perhaps poison the King of New Orleans' wine), Grayson will be incredible value here.

The rest of the draft was dedicated to getting defensive coordinator Rob Ryan talented, hard-nosed football players, and for good reason. The soft Saints defense couldn't do anything right last season; the reinforcements to the run defense, pass rush and pass coverage were desperately needed.

Kikaha is a tremendous pass-rusher. He didn't post tremendous test numbers but tremendous production.



Grade: A-

Defense wins championships, and the best way to build a championship defense is through the draft.

The New Orleans front office seemed to take this strategy to heart in this year's draft, stockpiling six defensive players during the three-day event.

Of the Saints' defensive picks, one common trait shared by all of them, no matter the position, is that of a fiery, intense style of play. Stephone Anthony, Hau'oli Kikaha, P.J. Wiliams, Davis Tull, Tyeler Davison and Damian Swann are all players who give maximum effort on every snap, and they're all relentless competitors.

Along the way, the Saints also selected what appears to be the team's left tackle of the future, and they brought in a young quarterback who could one day take the reins to the offense.

Although New Orleans' 2015 draft was difficult to predict and sometimes surprising, nearly every move made sense.

Grade: A-