2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............

[brees84]

Thank you, Los Angeles Rams!

[lee909]

Walter Football thoughts?

New Orleans Saints: Jack Conklin, OT/G, Michigan State
Many expect the Saints to go defense here, and they very well could. However, it shouldn't stun anyone if New Orleans selects an offensive lineman like Jack Conklin. The team has a major whole in the inside of the blocking unit, which is problematic because the Saints greatly value interior blocking. Keeping Drew Brees healthy in the final few years of his career is extremely important if the team wants to have any sort of Super Bowl aspirations.

And yes, Conklin over Ronnie Stanley. I have a feeling that's going to happen, as some teams have New Orleans Saints: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
We all know how bad New Orleans' secondary is, but part of the problem is that the team hasn't gotten any sort of push up front. It's especially dire at defensive tackle, where 80-year-old Kevin Williams was the team's best player last year. Something absolutely needs to be done about that. Nick Fairley was signed, but that was just to a 1-year deal, so I don't think he'll affect this choice. shared a growing concern with Stanley and his lack of passion for football. I don't think he'll fall that far, but Conklin could be chosen before him.



New Orleans Saints: Jason Fanaika, DE, Utah
The Saints can continue to upgrade their horrible defensive line, as they really don't have any edge rushers of note after Cameron Jordan. In a division comprised of Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston, New Orleans will have to improve its ability to get to the quarterback.


New Orleans Saints: Deiondre' Hall, CB, Northern Iowa
The Saints have to bolster their secondary. Knowing Brandon Browner, he'll still be penalized even though he's not on the team



New Orleans Saints: Connor Wujciak, DT, Boston College
It shouldn't be surprising if the Saints double up at defensive tackle in the 2016 NFL Draft, considering their dire need at the position.



Charlie Walter Football

New Orleans Saints: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Saints cut Junior Galette and still need a replacement. Lawson could form a dangerous pass rush with Cam Jordan and Hau'Oli Kikaha.

While teams have told me they gave Lawson a second-day grade, in speaking with a variety of teams they think that Lawson could be a mid- to late first-rounder. I think the team that likes him enough to take him will probably do so in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Lawson played really well in 2015 with 60 tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder has speed and strength on the edge. Lawson looked good with his power and speed, giving Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley a lot of issues.


Rd. 1, Pk. 12 Shaq Lawson, DE/3-4OLB, Clemson
The Saints cut Junior Galette and still need a replacement. Lawson could form a dangerous pass rush with Cam Jordan and Hau'Oli Kikaha.

While teams have told me they gave Lawson a second-day grade, in speaking with a variety of teams they think that Lawson could be a mid- to late first-rounder. I think the team that likes him enough to take him will probably do so in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Lawson played really well in 2015 with 60 tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder has speed and strength on the edge. Lawson looked good with his power and speed, giving Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley a lot of issues.

Lawson is a smooth pass-rusher, but lacks explosion and is not twitchy. In 2014, he was a backup and totaled 34 tackles with 11 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Given his body type, he could fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Rd. 2, Pk. 16 Austin Johnson, DT/3-4DE/NT, Penn State
The Saints signed Nick Fairley, but they could use more talent on the inside of their defensive line. Plus, Fairley only signed a 1-year deal.

The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder produced a quality season for Penn State in 2015. Johnson was a tough defender at the point of attack with 78 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. At the Senior Bowl, Johnson had a quality week, though he wasn't overly impressive.

Johnson had one sack as a sophomore and freshman. The jump was in part due to quarterbacks stepping up to avoid Carl Nassib in 2015. Johnson projects as a nose tackle for a 3-4 or 4-3 defense in the NFL.

Pick change; previously Vadal Alexander, OL
Rd. 3, Pk. 15 Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
New Orleans traded Ben Grubbs last offseason and cut Jahri Evans this year. Adding some young guard talent is necessary.

Whitehair (6-3, 300) played left tackle for the Wildcats, but he should move to guard in the NFL. Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah illustrated that. Whitehair also could use more power for the next level, but he is a good technician who is a reliable blocker.

Pick change; previously Sebastian Tretola, G
Rd. 4, Pk. 14 Joe Dahl, G/OT, Washington State
The Saints could draft multiple guards.

Dahl broke into the lineup as a sophomore starter at guard, but he played left tackle for Washington State in his final two seasons. In the Cougars' offense, Dahl got a lot of preparation for blocking in pass protection on the edge.

The 6-foot-3, 299-pounder is undersized and really

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by K Major

From listening to the locals up in Bean town, most were quite shocked. The Pats didn't even attempt to trade for him (D Easley). Good defensive player but maybe there were some type of internal differences within the organization, no?

Gotta be more to this one. Head scratcha.

Patriots just don't let go of good players and take a cap hit...

[jeanpierre]

Agree that Walter Cherepinsky's difference comparison between Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin is dead on...

...Lack of passion for the game...and it's the same concern I have about Garnett...

Though I'd say there's better value at pick No. 12...

Discussing committing a Top 12 pick of the NFL draft - Do you really want to make that selection on a two-down defensive linemen?!?

Get the importance of a Nose Tackle, in fact, I belabored the point ad nauseum on the Free Agency Thread since the end of last season...

But if we're spending a Top 12 pick, it should be on a guy who's going to get a maximum amount of snaps on the field...

Could see Conklin before I could see A'shawn, who I consider a second round talent anyways...

[brees84]

Twitter

[ChrisXVI]

Originally Posted by brees84

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/st...88532725960704

We've invested a lot of time in this dude. Is it possible they will shock us all and take him at 12? Two weeks from tonight we'll know!

[hagan714]

ok this page in the thread has me pretty well sick to my stomach


Ronnie Stanley vs Jack Conklin -

Stanley can pull that swing duty LT to RT and miss without missing a beat. One of the better pulling OT in the past couple of years to come out. excels at the second level hitting moving targets. Needs training against bull rushes I will admit.

Conklin might be the nastiest and one of the smarter OL in the draft but he does have range limitation.

This is were I start stating my case that the OL depth in this class with Conklin as becoming scattered and sort of hit or miss by rounds. some rounds will be solid values others will be filled with reaches.

Conklin is power - OT Stanley is zone

This is a no brain-er in my book

Draft Stanely and the Saints would have two of the better athletic OT in the NFL.

Peat goes to LOG.

[K Major]

Originally Posted by hagan714

ok this page in the thread has me pretty well sick to my stomach

Because of Spence?

[WillSaints81]

I don't think our first round pick will be sexy.

[Mr.Riaton]

Originally Posted by WillSaints81

I don't think our first round pick will be sexy.

Well,with all that money he'll be getting,he can go buy some high heels and lip stick...