Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

You are correct. That is why I wanted us to take Bud Dupree from Kentucky last year. Dude was big enough to play on the Line across from Cam Jordan.

Guys remember the last time we made the playoffs we had 49 sacks, the 4th Ranked Defense and the 2nd best Pass Defense in Football. It all starts with Pressure. As Great as Cam Jordan has been, just think how much better he can be with someone else who can apply pressure. The First Pick has to be another edge rusher. If not there is no way we win more than 7 games for a third straight year.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

The Saints don't need to stock up on Offense. We need defense. Even Coach Payton knows this. We can't keep thinking an undrafted free agent DE can provide pressure. That draft list is not going to happen.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

almost forgot the a complete list of beauty shows prior to the grand mother of them all the NFL combine

2016 TROPIC BOWL ROSTER
January 17, 2016
North Miami Stadium
ROSTER | http://tropicbowl.org/

2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
DATE: Saturday, January 23, 2016
TIME: 6 p.m. ET kickoff
2016 Player Commitments - NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2016

The 2016 East-West Shrine Game,
Date: Saturday, January 23, 2016
Time: Kick-off 4 p.m. EST (Gates open at 2 p.m.)
Television: NFL Network 4 p.m. EST
Radio: Broadcast internationally on the EWSG Radio Network
*A link to listen live to the online radio broadcast will be available on this webpage on game day starting at 3:15 p.m. EST.
http://www.shrinegame.com/en/Teams

The 2016 Senior Bowl week (January 25-30)
DATE: Saturday, January 30, 2016
TIME: 1:30pm CT
TELEVISION: NFL Network
http://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2016.php

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

So you're going to roll out Jahri Evans and Tim Lelito again to protect your 20 million dollar quarterback?!?

We must get younger and affordable guards...

Marques Colston is one of my second-all-time Saint to Archie Manning, but his body is giving out on him...

Who's going to be the No. 1?!? Cooks?!? Great talent, Great Attitude, but he's too small to body up and keep the chains moving...

It's still early, but to argue that "x" receiver and offensive guards are not priority needs is bewildering...

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

sound logic so i agree BUT as Drew goes so do the saints. Defense in the draft and FA has been this teams main focus for the past few years and well as JP pointed out, some of the old guard is, well just getting old.

I look at this draft as the last draft prior to a huge cap spending spree on FA in 2017. I am expecting more than a few new faces on the teams in 2017. I would expect the saints to draft solid on defense but this should be a year of BPA over need is more than ever. 2017 veteran FA will plug the huge needs

On the bright side this is a solid year for 43 DL players so that should be addressed without a doubt. It will be hard to miss them no matter what round we are picking in. Starters up for grabs through round 3? good chance and excellent depth prospects from there on out.

So I think we have a chance to all be happy if the FO listens to us for a change ;)

I am also not canceling out one solid if not semi big move in FA regarding either postilion

OG Marshal Yanda, Alex Boone, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Wendell, Ramon Foster, Todd Herremans, Amini Silatolu, J.R. Sweezy, Richie Incognito, Stefen Wisniewski.

DE: Jason Pierre-Paul, Cam Heyward, Muhammad Wilkerson, Corey Liuget, Phil Taylor, Chandler Jones, William Hayes, Robert Ayers, Olivier Vernon, Malik Jackson.

Not a bad list of options after the top dogs come off the board. I have not updated my list with any new contracts or stuff for a while

I am watching Malik Jackson DE Denver closely. up and coming young gun. solid against the run and shows great improvement as a pass rusher. Von Miller signing may mean he slips away from the Broncos. He is one of the upside players still that is just starting to prove he can play in the NFL so buy now because next time around he may not come this cheap. 5th year player showing his worth in 2015 as a full time starter. We might get away with one here

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Hagan...

Take Yanda off your list...

Source: Marshal Yanda, Ravens agree on 4-year, $32M deal - NFL.com

Wanted to draft Wilkerson out of Temple, but he broke his leg in the last game of the season and I don't think we need more Byrd-types...

And you probably have more access in New England (geez do you guys have sports information access) re: Chandler Jones and his drug debacle (is it me or is the NFL drug screening used just to get rid of bad contracts and bad players?)...

Take Pierre-Paul off the list, don't won't a guy that can't give his teammates a high five, especially because of their own stupidity...

Still say we should sign NT Damon Harrison and run the 3-4 as we've got the personnel under contract to do it; and just draft for depth, development behind those starters; paired up with Malik Jackson and Cam Jordan on the other side - that wouldn't be too shabby...

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Muhammad Wilkerson gets the franchise tag? Harrison could slip through the cracks.

But that might fall into a huge FA signing if the saints did pull it off. There is no doubt about when it comes to Harrison, the dude does not come off the field. for a man that size it is simple amazing. I would be ecstatic with his signing.

Chandler Jones the pats will get to the bottom of it and suspend him in a heart beat. Wes could not escape Bills wrath so neither will Jones, playoffs or no playoffs. So i will keep him on the list as a player that may come cheap due to off the field issues and you can sign him to a prove it short term contract. So lets see what happens.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I got news for you Lelito will probably be starting again. As far as Jahari, his problems are in pass protection not run blocking. we will draft another Guard but we drafted Evans in the 5th Round so we can find a Guard later. We still need to be able to rush the passer.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Both Coach Payton and Mickey have stated no more wild spending in free agency. We will be building through the draft. You build through the draft, get younger cheaper, deeper. DE, LB, G, TE, WR, NT.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

And you can always find a 1000 recyd X-receiver in the 7th round...

Again, you really want to protect an aged quarterback with that salary cap committment with Evans and Lelito...

You can get by with a high-effort Lelito, but not both...

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I agree that a Guard needs to be drafted but not before a DE or LB. The Offense for all its early season struggles was still top 5 in The League. The defense was 31st. Case closed.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

that is why i am looking at young guns in FA that should be mid level FA. ok some pipe dreaming is in there

I agree draft is a huge key and failures we had in the past few years have hurt this team big time. I am a firm believer in the draft as the #1 way to build an entire team not just starters. I also believe the draft is the best tool in controlling ones cap figures. Also an area the bad drafts have killed us.

My top 2015 FA shopping list was a run stuffing space eater

Dan Williams (Signed 4-year, $25M deal with OAK)
Vs
Brandon Browner (Signed 3-year, $15M deal with NO)
C.J. Spiller (Signed 4-year, $16M deal with NO)

Solid YOUNG mid priced talent in the trenches can be had but you need to be willing to roll dice a bit. Dump the glamor positions ie CB RB from your shopping list. Glamor potions are better filled in the draft than FA IMO. Especially when your dealing a cap issue.

Unless your seriously in the running for a super bowl by pass the glamor positions in FA. The saints have not had a true shot at the super bowl since the day they signed Rob Ryan. Year 1 he almost got me to eat crow. But he proved me right in Seattle and lost the game for the saints, After that it was pointless. It honestly was pointless after the Pats game that year.

Neither Browner nor Spiller were on my radar and neither signing got me excited. To much dough for two players with issues. Heck i would have bypassed Byrd in heartbeat when i heard the contract amount.

A single player in my opinion would have been and was a safer and wiser move financially.

So if a solid YOUNG DL or OL player can be had at a fair price in FA you gotta go with it if you can.

Manage your cap through the draft as you said is huge. But now we need to get the most out the wasted dollars already spent. Either FA or the draft, you gotta maximize those investments.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Can't keep throwing money at a problem. To fix a problem you must eliminate the problem. That is why we got rid of the players we got rid of last year. That is also why we will be using the draft more wisely in the next 2 years. I even expect to see us trading positions to accumulate more picks to increase depth and overall talent level.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

And for everyone predicting another CB to be drafted. We are getting PJ Williams back. He is a draft pick in itself. We will not be going corner unless its a steal in the 4th round and below.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I like Williams but he hasn't seen the field yet, might, might not? I hope he does well!!

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I'm a little worried about Lewis. Wonder what his recovery time is? Swann with 3 concusions, If I were him I would retire, seriously, no need to get hurt.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

But the fact is, he was good enough to have made the team and was actually slated to be the nickel corner and back up to Keenan before he went down. With Aaron Glenn now our Secondary Coach, look for our CB's to play more bump and run and be better at making plays on the ball.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Not so fast my friend...

There's more to it than passing up and down the field...you've got to score...

Marques Colston, my favorite active Saints, has not been Colston for the past two years (I've opined age<arthritis); and then there's that other kid who's on Seattle milk cartons...

If you want to look at the statistics, then let's do that...

We're tied with Seattle at eighth in points per game; still among the top nine, but that also includes an anomaly with the Giants game in the dome, drop that game, we're barely middle of the pack...

Source: https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game

Then there's time of possession, still good, but only seventh, and if we'd had 2:00 (two minutes) less in total possession, we'd fallen out of the top twelve in avg time of possession...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...sion-net-of-ot

Now we were first in 3rd down conversions, we were fortunate that there were many third and shorts; this is where sending Cooks downfield and Snead or Hill underneath worked in the passing game and Mark Ingram's improved play; but not in 3rd in long where Colston, a big x-receiver that can body up and convert is missed...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...conversion-pct

But now we get to the real problem, the red zone...

Despite moving up and down the field, we were only ninth (9th) in red zone TD scoring...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...ne-scoring-pct

And when teams held us to a field goal, even when we made 'em, we lost games...

And Drew was actually behind the team in the red zone; missing that big go-to receiver...

2015 Red Zone Passing Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com

So despite being no. 2 in total offense, which is tempered by a +2 turnover margin...We lacked that scoring threat...

That is why I make the case that Drew's better days were tied to a true threat at the x-receiver (Colston) and could be rejuvenated (Treadwell) and giving him pocket protection that he once had (All-Pro Evans and Nicks) by improving what he had at guard (Old, Broke-down Evans and Improving Lelito)...

By drafting these positions, you can score putting pressure on the opposition and making 'em one-dimensioal...

And the purpose of the safeties is to address the allowance of the big downfield plays that Byrd and Vaccaro have been incapable of snuffing out...

With regards to the pass rush, I've b*tched as much as anybody here about it being neglected; but there's new linebacking coaches, new linebackers and new defensive linemen; Hell, we had five rookie starters on defense at one point and we finally picked a defensive coordinator, let's let that begin to work and not paint it as dire as last offseason...

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Me too as it relates to KL. He hasn't been completely healthy in quite a while.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Swann is done, and Browner is awful...

Re-sign Wilson, keeping Dixon, and PJ Williams returns...

With Westbank's health a question mark, may need another cornerback...

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Definitely need another CB. Lewis will be 30 and coming off three hip surgeries. Who knows if he'll ever be the player he was before. Swann is another concussion away from being a vegetable. P.J. Williams will essentially be a rookie next season and a lot of people projected him to be more of a free safety.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Brandin Cooks: 5'10" 189 lbs
Antonio Brown: 5'10" 181 lbs

It's not the size that defines a #1 receiver.

SFIAH

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

If a corner is drafted it wont be before the 4th Round.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

In 2015 The Saints were #1 in Total Offense at 408.3 yards per game. #1 in Passing Offense at 310.6 yards per game. The offense is fine. We need a competent defense to be able to bend but don't break.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

WE can change coaches all we want, we still need talented players.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

True enough but to date Cook is no Brown.

I have not given up on the kid that's for sure. But this brings me back the need to address OG play.

OG play the past two years has gone down hill dramatically. If Drew is to remain the QB the saints have little choice but start looking for youth up front via the draft or FA. Litto can run block but he still can not handle a stunt to save his life. It appears Evens is on his final legs. I see no choice. The saints FINALLY made the move to add an OT so why hold off a glaring need at OG? We have a long list of upgrades that consist of a single piece and not upgrades that address a unit. Saints need to be in overhaul mode on the OL and pray non of the 2017 FA money will be spent up front. as Drew goes so do the saints.

Drew's height dictates the need for a good front 3. Drew needs a pocket to pass from like any QB but he must be able to step up into the pocket and move around to get away.

Big Ben gets away with a so so line because he is, well big. That is a huge factor in Browns success. Short and mid range throws are all down hill. Huge advantage.

Cook has never played with the saints when the front 3 OL were dominate and helped maximize Drew skill set. If he gets that chance he may just become a Brown and #1. Till then we will never know.

FA or draft, OG must be upgraded. There are upgrades out there that do not break the bank in FA. Litto as a developing back up and dumping the dead wood on the depth chart would be solid move. Draft will present some solid options also.

All of this will keep Drew up right and allow Cook the chance to thrive.

Once again a year late at the bargain basement FA shopping. My two favs from last year bin are not going to come near as cheap

G Evan Mathis, Denver Broncos - might because of age. He is solid and steady and not that much tread wear despite his age. 5+ years as a back up

G Richie Incognito, Buffalo Bills - blew this one completely. model citizen and buffalo and blew the doors of the NFL

Draft I still like the two coke machines from Arkansas. it still early yet

so we need to look deeper or to the draft to help Drew get the most out of Cook

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Incognito would have looked good in a Saints uniform, tough guy. I like the G from Arkansas also but like the T from LSU , Alexander also , to move to G. Either 3 would be good enough to man that position for years. I'm really hoping Peat works out at RT and Lelito could be a swing man at C and G in a pinch. I believe Lelito is better as a C than a G but he want beat Unger out. Even if we sign a FA I still draft one of those 3. TE will need to be adressed also. Watson has been a more than solid pick-up and I hope we get good results this season but youth will be needed sooner than later.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

After watching both games yesterday, one thing that was constant ... solid tackling, slowing down the run & getting to the QB. Hopefully we continue to build on what was started last draft and continue to develop a strong front 7.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Exactly!! We need to be able to control the trenches from both sides. I honestly wouldn't be upset if we spent two picks on DE's of our first three picks.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I would personally like to see these picks:
1st Round: DE Emmanuel Ogbah
2nd Round: OLB Jaylon Smith
3rd Round: DE Kevin Dodd
4th Round: DT Vernon Butler
5th Round: OG Aaron Morris
6th Round: no pick
7th Round: TE Ben Braunecker.

Now as I've stated previously I wouldn't be surprised to see us make several trades including our #1 pick number 12 to a team looking to move up and accumulate more picks in the later rounds.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

So i have not been with ut this year as i was sick. We dont have a 6th rounder. Remind me why

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I think we traded it to the Redskins to move up for Damiann Swann last year.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Give me Andrew Billings :bng:

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Yes yes yes! Can't like this post enough! It's gotta be Billings.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Hell why we're at it; let's get Billings and Oakman back together:

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Andrew Billings and Tyeler Davison would make an awesome 1-2 punch at that 1-technique spot on the D-Line. However, we'd still be missing a 3-technique.

Edit: Nevermind... I realize now that Billings would be best used as a 3-technique. So rotating Jenkins and Davison at the 1 with Billings at the 3 would be awesome!

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Righto
Thanks

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

Oakman looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. Give me more consistent production from a DT/NT.

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

I wouldn't play him at tackle; He'd be in a rotation as a defensive end...

Billings/Jenkins would be my tackles if I had my way, with Tyeler Davison and whoever else in rotation

Stick Oakman on the end in definite passing situations and get him to jump when the ball is thrown to his side, I'm sure we would see more batted balls than we do now. He is 6'9" after all

Re: 2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............
 

*Rosters come out Friday...

Really wish they'd bring back the Blue- Gray game; the Lions have been unable to find a sponsor...