Cruize

-Rankins is penciled in as a starter. We'll see. What worries me is all the "buzz" about the guy was from Senior Bowl drills and combine drills. Not about his actual play on the field.

-Thomas has the size and skills to translate well in the NFL. With a real QB like Brees, he could have a special year.

-Bell will contribute in coverage, which is much needed, and will be given a chance to be the everyday starter in the future. He's not very big and doesn't tackle especially well though.

-Onyemata is a big, strong, athlete. His limited experience in the game and lack of competition against equally talented guys is very concerning. The Saints took a flyer on defense in the 4th. With guys like DT's Billings and Reader, OG's Westerman and Drango, CB Hall, RB's Dixon and Booker, and QB Jones going afterwards, I think they could have done better.

-Lasco is very talented and fits the Saints scheme. But, if he sees the field this year, it will be because he was a steal or a lot of bad things happened to the RB corps. If offense was the direction, WR's Peake or Lawler were better choices in my opinion.

UDFA - There's lots of potential here. Allen and Turner are almost locks to make the team. I personally like Pettway, Elston, Harris, Houma, Dillon, Mathews, Tovell and Young.

Danno

Good stuff but I disagree a tad on a couple of things. Over the last 2 years Rankins graded out better than every NCAA DT except for Aaron Donald. He didn't just show up on the radar after the Senior Bowl.

Oneyamata is a great risk/reward pick in the 4th. We desperately need front 7 help. Its possible that everyone else left at that point graded no better than what we already have at DE/DT. He may not be ready right away, but the payoff is worth the wait if he continues to develop as expected. We didn't just send scouts his pro-day. We sent our D-line coach, who stayed afterwards working with him, giving him tips, and getting to know what type of person he is.

And Lasco, from what I've read, can be a great special teams contributor as well as a weapon at back-up RB. He may be an upgrade to Murphy and might push Spiller for playing time.