Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Both Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd enter the New Orleans Saints' offseason program with no physical ailments between them. It's the first time since the team paired the safeties together that this shouldn't be an issue.

Obviously, the Saints need both players to shine in 2016 to help a mentally battered defense of the past two seasons. Vaccaro and Byrd will be the starters without question this season.

None of anything I just wrote means the Saints will stay away from safety in next week's NFL draft. It's more of a priority than some may realize for multiple reasons.

http://image.nola.com/home/nola-medi...102-mmmain.jpg

There's an immediate need to replace Rafael Bush. He inked a deal with Detroit in free agency with the possibility of becoming a full-time starter. Bush wouldn't become that in New Orleans unless an injury occurred.

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Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Been saying this since we drafted Kenny and said it again when we signed Byrd. So finally the rose color glasses are coming off.

great year for S/CB hybrids. I want 2 this year. That's 4 positions filled with two stones.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Which two?

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Do we have room for it? With DT, DE, LB, G being bigger needs.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

William Jackson III come on down.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

And I got jabbed when I listed two safeties in my early mock drafts...

Neaux, we fix the defensive front and we limit the backfield exposure...

Geaux for a true cornerback (Kalan Reed) and give Swann a look at safety...

Swann was projected at one point by scouts for that position...

Westbank has been breaking down, wrong side of thirty...

While we definitely need to get someone behind Byrd...

We're set at strong safety for now with Vaccaro, Harris, Sanford, Sunseri...

In fact, Sanford or Vaccaro can always slide in at FS when Byrd goes down...

The Harris signing is going to be very, very good for us...

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

That's who I want.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Agreed. DT, DE, OLB, OG, WR and even CB are bigger needs than a back-up safety.

However... if by some miracle Jalen Ramsey is freakishly there at 12, I'm pushing people out of the way to get that pick in.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

P.J. Williams was scouted as a better S than pure CB so, there is that.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

This would be a great pick. CB/S would be covered for a while. But, could you imagine the trade offers that would be coming in? Someone would be willing to throw a ton of picks to move up and get him. I'm still calling for a surprise pick in the 1st. My shocker is Jack Conklin OT/OG Michigan St. With the depth in the draft at D-line and CB I feel he will be swooped up quick. He can play everything on the O-line if needed.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

I hadn't mentioned Jalen Ramsey much because I don't expect him to slip past pick #5. Nice try though.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Don't think OG would be a complete shocker... at least not to me.

DE is a must though, we have no talent at the position that can play every down opposite of Cam Jordan. There are only 3 43 DEs in the draft whom could start day 1.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Armstead - Lelito - Unger - Conklin - Strief/Peat

Looks like a pretty decent line, with a strong interior(where Drew needs it the most); on paper at least.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Still need another guard. Hopefully Ireland and co address this next week.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Safety is not a need in a weak draft group, while there's lots of good D talent elsewhere, which is a need.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

wet dream
Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State, 6005, 209 4.41

Starter talent and smarts out side of round 1?

As FS/SS/CB R2/3
Sean Davis DB Maryland 6011 201 4.46

For a SS/FS/CB R4/5
Justin Simmons DB Boston College 6025 201 4.53

these two later in the draft are solid options.
Juston Burris FS/SS/CB /NC STATE 6002 212 4.54
Mike Jordan, CB/FS, Missouri Western 6006 200 4.50

these 4 really stick out to me because of football IQ, sound fundamentals, played and produced all over the secondary for their teams.

there are a few more but need some coaching
LeShaun Sims CB/FS Southern Utah 6004 203
James Bradberry CB/FS Samford 6006 211


Then there are these hybrid types. a little less flexible
Darian Thompson FS/SS Boise St 6017 208 4.56
Clayton Fejedelem S Illinios 6000 205 4.51
Miles Killebrew SS/LB Southern Utah 6017 217 4.51
Jayron Kearse SS/OLB Clemson 6040 216 4.62

I disagree 100% with the national media scouts. This is a great year for hybrid safeties that can fill multiple roles from day 1. IMO the nation media has not evolved in dealing with pass happy NFL in the secondary when talking about safeties. they are still scouting safeties old school style. That is why i was beating a drum for the saints to stay at 24 in 2014 and take Deon Buchanan. He was the hydride FS/SS/LB we needed.

Actually it may turn out to be the year of the safeties and not the DL. I have not mentioned some of the talent that are strictly a FS or SS for the most part. There are more than a few really good starter potential players out there this year. check back in 3 years to see who is right.

There is no reason not only to upgrade the DL but the secondary as well in this draft. no excuses.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Let's not get another tweener. Let's get a sure fire corner or a sure fire safety(preferably a free safety). Let's get someone who excels at one position or the other.

It's not the same as having a guard who can play center or tackle though.imo

Now, in rugby we play multiple positions but it is a different sport where we play both offense and defense.

Re: Safety a bigger Saints priority than you might think in NFL draft
 

Football IQ is not necassary for rookies who don't understand anything about the pro scheme. They just need to know their role until they are ready to take on a bigger role.