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Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 703206)

Gotcha Diz.

My "rookie to watch" will be Vonn Bell. His college coaches have been raving about how good his instincts and ball skills are.

Could be special down the road ...

I hope so seeing where he was drafted. It not like he is some 7th rounder or project guy. They expect him to play.

Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft

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Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 703269)

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.

Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft

Rather not grade this draft just yet, but not impressed with most of the selections nor the moves made during the draft...

But you've got to allow a couple of seasons before assigning a grade...

Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft

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Originally Posted by WhoDatFan26 (Post 703293)

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.

Re: Grading the Saints NFL Draft

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Originally Posted by burningmetal (Post 703362)

I don't get all the shuffling they did either. I agree 100% about G needing to be a priority. They did address the Dfront line( although there were players getting passed on I wanted to throw the TV off the back deck). I do have to say they did get some good players though. We might have got lucky with the UDFA but luck will only go so far. And I think the reason we try to sign so many UDFA is Brees getting paid a ton of money.