2016 NFL draft rating
 

New Orleans Saints: B

First pick: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville (No. 12)

Other notable picks: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State (47); Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State (61); Daniel Lasco, RB, Cal (237)​


The Saints needed all kinds of help on defense, and certainly got it on the line with the selection of Sheldon Rankins with the 12th overall pick. Rankins is a pass-rusher with great run strength, and has the talent to define a defensive line for the next half-decade. And third-round safety Vonn Bell from Ohio State has the play potential to replace free-agent bust Jairus Byrd. Moreover, the Saints got one of the best receivers in this class in Ohio State's Michael Thomas; he'll add to Sean Payton's offense as a bigger target for Drew Brees. Manitoba (Canada) defensive tackle David Onyemata is a project, but an interesting athlete. And Cal running back Daniel Lasco could be a seventh-round steal if he can get past the injuries that affected his 2015 season. There’s no outside pass-rusher, but Rankins could cure a lot of ills on that front seven.​ —DF​


2016 NFL draft grades: Winners, losers, team-by-team results

I'll give it A+ for signing undrafted OG Landon Turner & C Jack Allen

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

I've seen grade from B up to A with everything in between

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

How about this bit of stupidity I found:

Grade: D

New Orleans Saints

Analysis: The Saints had just five picks to make, and they didn’t seem to directly address their needs, especially at cornerback or pass rusher. Ohio State WR Michael Thomas should immediately help improve the receiving corps, however.

What pisses me off more about this is before the draft, the same site had this rating for Rankins:

Overall position grade: A+

1. A'Shawn Robinson, 6’4, 312 pounds, DT, Alabama
2. Sheldon Rankins, 6’2, 303 pounds, DT, Louisville

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Someone with that opinion of the Saints draft knows nothing about football and should stick to knitting!

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

I gave us an A-. We could've have Sheldon Day instead of alphabet from Nigeria but other than that I'm very happy.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Only time will tell.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Good draft although we shouldn't have traded our 5ths away:
1) #1 DT in Rankins (counting Buckner as DE)
2) top big WR in Thomas
2) #1 SS in Bell
4) too clever by half Canadian surprise in DT Onyemata when DTs Billings or Reader were right there
7) a RB when when decent OGs were available

However, if I were Loomis with a time-traveling machine:
#1 ROT Tunsil
#2 WR Thomas
#3 DT Day
#4 DT Billings
#5 OG Westerman
#7 Canadian surprise S

And, if I were a time-traveling Payton who had learned to wait:
#1 DT Rankins
#2 WR Thomas
#3 DT Billings
#4 OG Westerman
#5 NT Reader
#7 Canadian delight

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

What is the logic "#7 Canadian delight" would've dropped to the 7th round? For round 2 I was hoping the saints would've traded down and picked WR Thomas and get Sean Davis in the third but you see Sean Davis was picked in the Second and by looking at the trades after the fact no way they would've got Sean Davis and probably would've lost Thomas if they tried.

I think the saints have in mind who they're targeting in the draft and I like their aggressive approach.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Or Billings...
However, Payton went on NFLN after the pick and was talking about using Ony as the 43 DE in base packages.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Exactly. Billings and Day are 2 down run stuffers. Onyemata will end up on specials teams for a few years while they try to turn him into a sub package DE.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

New Orleans Saints | 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Everyone knew the Saints were going to get Sheldon Rankins in the first round. He's a dynamic defensive lineman who can cause disruption up front. He's an instant starter for New Orleans. Adding wide receiver Michael Thomas in the second round gives the Saints a big body wide out with good hands. He'll remind Saints fans of Marques Colston. Onyemata was a little bit of an unknown until the East-West Shrine Game. He's a raw player who was picked when several known talents were available at defensive tackle. Seventh-round pick Daniel Lasco raised eyebrows at the combine with some big workout numbers. He can stick on special teams and as a backup running back.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

Outside of Rankins and Thomas I don't know much about these players other than the post draft discussion. I am cautiously optimistic about this years draft.

Rankins A
Thomas B+
Bell B-
Onyomama C+
Lasco C+ (my early favorite for camp beast)

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

I don't think so.

Onyemata might have the starting gig day 1. Richardson is the only one ahead of him for the base package DE spot, and Richardson was arguably the worst starting DE in the league (he was a UDFA walk on and got the start).

Ony in the base with Kikaha coming in on sub packages would keep everyone fresh.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

If he plays well in TC Payton would give him the nod if he earns it. Throw Kikaha in the rotation and the DE position looks much improved. Richardson, Fairley and Davison are going to push the pocket and let our ends make plays in the back field.

Re: 2016 NFL draft rating
 

C for talent drafted
F cost of talent drafted

So a ho hum draft