SaintFanInATLHELL

I don't complain much here, but today I just feel the need.

I keep seeing posts about drafting Treadwell at 12. It feels like fantasy football thinking on at least a couple of levels. The first is simply the fact that there is no way the guy is going to be available in that slot.

But the second simply is that even if Treadwell were the next Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, or Calvin Johnson and he were available at 12, would that pick actually make any sense?

The Saints once again are at the top of every offensive statistical category including #1 in passing, #2 in total offense, and #8 in scoring. And once again the defense is at or near the bottom of absolutely everything. So unless Treadwell is going to rush the passer, cover tight ends, or going to be a pick magnet at safety, then what exactly is the sense in such a pick?

I understand the logic of "once in a generation" picks. But honestly, that position has been filled for the Saints by Drew Brees for the past 10 years. A perfect example of how Brees makes offensive skill players into superstars can be seen in the tight end position. Graham here: all world. Graham elsewhere: meh. Watson remaining: career year.

So I just want to understand why is not the discussion focused on identifying the once in a generation draft pick on the defensive side of the ball instead of pining for a player that both is unavailable and in the grand scheme is unneeded in the Saints current makeup? JJ Watt was drafted 11th. Luck Kuechly 9th. Von Miller pretty much won the SuperBowl by himself.

So who are the draftable players that can redefine a defense this year? And why are we not talking about them instead of Treadwell?

OK. Enough whining. Please discuss...

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

Danno

You draft for the future, not the present.
Brees has 2 or 3 years left.
Without Brees we'll need a lot more weapons than we currently have.
He could be a much higher rated prospect than any of the defenders left at 12.
This draft is deep with D-linemen. We can still draft some talented defenders from the 2nd round on.

Oh, and numerous folks are talking defense. DE's DT's OLB's, CB's. Its not like defense isn't being discussed.

Danno

Oh, and we still have promising young players coming up the ranks in Kikaha, Anthony, Tull, Williams, Davison, Richardson, Jenkins, Sunseri etc.

|Mitch|

I disagree; We are in win now mode with Drew only having a couple of seasons left. Build a defense so we can win now and will still take a lot of the pressure off a new QB in the future...

Danno

There are other ways to build a defense. It doesn't strictly depend on a 1st round pick.

If all the top guys are gone and LT slips, I can see drafting him.

And for the record I desperately want one of the top defenders as well, I'm just stating why it wouldn't be dumb to pick LT at 12.

There are probably 7 or 8 defenders I'd rather have than Treadwell.

SaintFanInATLHELL

Brees as a once in a generation type guy deserves the opportunity to go out on top. It's clear that a defense is needed to accomplish that.


There is no guarantee that Treadwell, or any other offensive skill player, can carry an offense without an elite QB.
He certainly would. But does that really justify making a BPA pick, especially with the marked disparity between the offensive and defensive production of this team?
Talented is one thing. Impactful or elite is another. That's why I'm asking are there elite defensive players in this draft that should be the focus of discussion?
And yet thread after thread has pictures of #1 from Ole Miss with the caption "We need to get this guy."

Really? Do we?

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

Euphoria

You do know this is the NFL right???

IT IS ALWAYS WIN NOW OR LOSE YOUR JOB.

SmashMouth

Premature e....err..... something or the other.

Danno

I'm not really seeing that. I saw a couple, but its not like every other thread has a Treadwell pic.

But I don't think its gonna be an issue. Like you said, he probably won't be there at 12, and even if he is there will probably still be a couple elite defenders left. It would take a near perfect storm for him to be the pick at 12.

RaginCajun83

I'm in the draft defense 2 of 3 first rounds and find a WR either in free agency or late in the daft. I'd break the TV if with this Swiss cheese defense the Saints went and drafted a WR in the first round

Danno, I get the drafting for the futrue but who knows about this team in 5 years RIGHT NOW we have Brees and he's getting to that point where the defense needs to start pulling its weight and then some because that game he had against the Giants last season won't be happening on a regular basis anymore