Grading the Saints NFL Draft

Danno · 05-07-2016, 01:54 PM

I don't see how anyone can give this 2016 NFL Draft anything but an A or at worst a B-plus

1. Potential (talent) of players selected - A
Very little bust potential and all have high ceilings.

2. Character of players selected - A
All seem to be very high character guys.

3. Work ethic of players selected - A
All seem to be team players and very hard workers. No lazy downside to any of them

4. How well the players fit our scheme? - A

Disruptive DT that can play 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE
WR that replaces Colston (on paper of course)
FS that can also play Nickel and dime CB
A late round DE prospect with 1st round measurables
A 7th round RB that would have been one of the top 3 or 4 3rd down backs in the draft if not for a 2015 injury.

5. Did we reach for anybody? No. not one.

6. Do all the players address a need (holes and depth) ? Yes, absolutely especially if you include the UDFA's.

7. How well did we maneuver during the draft - C
I would have liked to have traded down for more picks in a deep draft, but it appears everyone wanted to trade down and there were very few takers

8. UDFA haul? A-plus. I think our reputation for giving UDFA's a fair shot at a roster spot is exactly why we landed so many top UDFA's, in my opinion. Thats 2 years in a row we aced the UDFA market.

Obviously no one knows for sure until 2 or 3 years down the road, but based on what we all know right now, this draft class is a solid A.

WhoDatFan26 · 05-07-2016, 02:59 PM

I like our draft. Every pick addresses a need. WE needed a DT/NT and we got the Highest Rated one. We needed another Safety and we got a Safety with CB skills. We all could see the team lacked the necessary size in the red zone, now we have a 6'3 receiver who has hands to high point balls.
What is there not to like?

dizzle88 · 05-07-2016, 03:08 PM

The more I watch highlights the more excited I get, especially from Vonn Bell who I truly believe will replace Jairus Byrd.

|Mitch| · 05-07-2016, 03:43 PM

And don't forget Daniel Lasco who was voted one of the five draft bargains along with Bell in the NFC South:

DB Vonn Bell, New Orleans Saints
Drafted: 2nd round (61st overall)
Why he's a bargain: Bell was considered a potential late-first-round pick, though the top of the second round was the more common projection. Instead, he fell to the bottom of the round. Beyond just roaming, reading and helping on pass plays, Bell has the skill set to match up with anyone. In two years as a full-time starter at OSU, he came up with eight interceptions and 15 pass breakups.

RB Daniel Lasco, New Orleans Saints
Drafted: 7th round (237th overall)
Why he's a bargain: Given Lasco's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, one would never suspect he came within 16 picks of going undrafted. He ran the fourth-fastest time among running backs (4.46 seconds) in the 40-yard dash, and had the best vertical and broad jump marks (41 1/2 inches; 11 feet, 3 inches). A hip injury limited his playing time last year, and it limited his effectiveness when he did take the field. With scouts having to go back to 2014 to see his most impressive tape, his draft slide was predictable, but not necessarily warranted.

Five best 2016 NFL Draft bargain picks: NFC South - NFL.com

burningmetal · 05-07-2016, 04:21 PM

The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see.

WillSaints81 · 05-07-2016, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see.

I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy.

If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup.

WhoDatFan26 · 05-08-2016, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by WillSaints81

I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy.

If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup.

Bingo!! This draft is about having enough bodies to replace players that either get hurt or ineffective.

burningmetal · 05-09-2016, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by WillSaints81

I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy.

If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup.

I know what you are saying, but drafting a RB coming off injury, as insurance, is what makes no sense to me. Also, you can do just as well with UDFA's once you've gotten that deep in the draft.

Like I said, not a risky pick considering where they took him, but I just wouldn't have gone that direction.

WhoDatFan26 · 05-08-2016, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see.

Spiller signed a 2 year deal. The best teams don't wait until they need a replacement to find one. With depth at RB, we don't have to worry about it going forward. All of our picks have been towards getting deeper at positions.

burningmetal · 05-09-2016, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by WhoDatFan26

Spiller signed a 2 year deal. The best teams don't wait until they need a replacement to find one. With depth at RB, we don't have to worry about it going forward. All of our picks have been towards getting deeper at positions.

He signed a 4 year deal, buddy. And he's making a lot of money for a backup. You can find insurance in many other ways. We all know this isn't a team that places a premium on the RB, when it comes to play calling, even though they pay these guys like they can't live without them.

Also, I don't agree that this draft was about getting deeper. They just pick who they want on their board. Whether or not I, or anyone agrees with every pick, that's all there is to it. You don't trade up TWICE, including taking a chance on a guy who's only known what a football looks like for 5 years, if you are attempting to get deeper at all positions. Clearly, they had other ideas.

The Saints didn't need to get deeper at RB. You're forgetting about Murphy, who's only reason for not getting touches last year would seem to be a lack of playbook knowledge. Because he certainly has the speed and the moves.

Guard was one of the two most glaring needs and they didn't pick even one. So... That's not getting deeper. They waited to sign rookie free agents instead.

05-07-2016, 01:54 PM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,748	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft I don't see how anyone can give this 2016 NFL Draft anything but an A or at worst a B-plus 1. Potential (talent) of players selected - A Very little bust potential and all have high ceilings. 2. Character of players selected - A All seem to be very high character guys. 3. Work ethic of players selected - A All seem to be team players and very hard workers. No lazy downside to any of them 4. How well the players fit our scheme? - A Disruptive DT that can play 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE WR that replaces Colston (on paper of course) FS that can also play Nickel and dime CB A late round DE prospect with 1st round measurables A 7th round RB that would have been one of the top 3 or 4 3rd down backs in the draft if not for a 2015 injury. 5. Did we reach for anybody? No. not one. 6. Do all the players address a need (holes and depth) ? Yes, absolutely especially if you include the UDFA's. 7. How well did we maneuver during the draft - C I would have liked to have traded down for more picks in a deep draft, but it appears everyone wanted to trade down and there were very few takers 8. UDFA haul? A-plus. I think our reputation for giving UDFA's a fair shot at a roster spot is exactly why we landed so many top UDFA's, in my opinion. Thats 2 years in a row we aced the UDFA market. Obviously no one knows for sure until 2 or 3 years down the road, but based on what we all know right now, this draft class is a solid A. The Dude and WhoDatFan26 like this.

05-07-2016, 02:59 PM	#2
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft I like our draft. Every pick addresses a need. WE needed a DT/NT and we got the Highest Rated one. We needed another Safety and we got a Safety with CB skills. We all could see the team lacked the necessary size in the red zone, now we have a 6'3 receiver who has hands to high point balls. What is there not to like? Danno and dizzle88 like this.
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365

05-07-2016, 03:08 PM	#3
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,518	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft The more I watch highlights the more excited I get, especially from Vonn Bell who I truly believe will replace Jairus Byrd. Danno and WhoDatFan26 like this.

05-07-2016, 03:43 PM	#4
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft And don't forget Daniel Lasco who was voted one of the five draft bargains along with Bell in the NFC South: DB Vonn Bell, New Orleans Saints Drafted: 2nd round (61st overall) Why he's a bargain: Bell was considered a potential late-first-round pick, though the top of the second round was the more common projection. Instead, he fell to the bottom of the round. Beyond just roaming, reading and helping on pass plays, Bell has the skill set to match up with anyone. In two years as a full-time starter at OSU, he came up with eight interceptions and 15 pass breakups. RB Daniel Lasco, New Orleans Saints Drafted: 7th round (237th overall) Why he's a bargain: Given Lasco's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, one would never suspect he came within 16 picks of going undrafted. He ran the fourth-fastest time among running backs (4.46 seconds) in the 40-yard dash, and had the best vertical and broad jump marks (41 1/2 inches; 11 feet, 3 inches). A hip injury limited his playing time last year, and it limited his effectiveness when he did take the field. With scouts having to go back to 2014 to see his most impressive tape, his draft slide was predictable, but not necessarily warranted. Five best 2016 NFL Draft bargain picks: NFC South - NFL.com

05-07-2016, 04:21 PM	#5
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see. MarchingOn likes this.

05-07-2016, 06:05 PM	#6
WillSaints81 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,267	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft Originally Posted by burningmetal The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see. I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy. If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup. WhoDatFan26 likes this.

05-08-2016, 10:55 AM	#7
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft Originally Posted by WillSaints81 I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy. If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup. Bingo!! This draft is about having enough bodies to replace players that either get hurt or ineffective.
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365

05-09-2016, 06:30 AM	#8
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft Originally Posted by WillSaints81 I saw something in this draft that many didn't see outside of the first and perhaps second pick. They were drafting insurances that can also fill holes if healthy. Lasco is possible injury insurance to Ingram or Spiller and possibly a way to replace Ingram down the road when it comes to managing the cap. Spiller hasn't shown to stay healthy so far and that needs to change or else Lasco takes his place. Lasco could be a major special teams guy. If there is a injury in our secondary again, Bell fills a need. If there is a injury with our starting DTs or DEs, Onyematta fills a need. Thomas was drafted to be perhaps a starter if Coleman does not show up in camp and pre-season. Also, given the injuries I believe Thomas is possibly a injury or poor performance replacement. If Cooks were to go down, move Coleman to Cooks' role and Thomas to Coleman's. If Snead goes down, same situation, except Coleman to Snead's side. If Coleman goes down, it's obvious where Thomas goes. Or maybe Thomas is the starter and Coleman is best reserved as a backup. I know what you are saying, but drafting a RB coming off injury, as insurance, is what makes no sense to me. Also, you can do just as well with UDFA's once you've gotten that deep in the draft. Like I said, not a risky pick considering where they took him, but I just wouldn't have gone that direction.

05-08-2016, 10:54 AM	#9
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft Originally Posted by burningmetal The Lasco thing didn't make a lot of sense to me. You have a lot of money committed to Spiller and Ingram, with Spiller coming off an injury plagued season, and now you draft a RB coming off a hip injury. Just didn't seem necessary. But for a 7th rounder, I can't really call it a risk. Just not what I would have done. Has a chance to maybe be of value down the road, so we shall see. Spiller signed a 2 year deal. The best teams don't wait until they need a replacement to find one. With depth at RB, we don't have to worry about it going forward. All of our picks have been towards getting deeper at positions.
WhoDatFan26 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 365

05-09-2016, 06:38 AM	#10
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft Originally Posted by WhoDatFan26 Spiller signed a 2 year deal. The best teams don't wait until they need a replacement to find one. With depth at RB, we don't have to worry about it going forward. All of our picks have been towards getting deeper at positions. He signed a 4 year deal, buddy. And he's making a lot of money for a backup. You can find insurance in many other ways. We all know this isn't a team that places a premium on the RB, when it comes to play calling, even though they pay these guys like they can't live without them. Also, I don't agree that this draft was about getting deeper. They just pick who they want on their board. Whether or not I, or anyone agrees with every pick, that's all there is to it. You don't trade up TWICE, including taking a chance on a guy who's only known what a football looks like for 5 years, if you are attempting to get deeper at all positions. Clearly, they had other ideas. The Saints didn't need to get deeper at RB. You're forgetting about Murphy, who's only reason for not getting touches last year would seem to be a lack of playbook knowledge. Because he certainly has the speed and the moves. Guard was one of the two most glaring needs and they didn't pick even one. So... That's not getting deeper. They waited to sign rookie free agents instead.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

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