dizzle88

I wanted to take a little time and look at our draft history, as I believe that is a huge factor into why we are struggling the past few seasons - along with bad FA signings. I personally think the bad trend started in our greatest season - 2009.

Whilst the draft from 2009 isn't awful, its made worse that we only had 4 picks! 50% ratio scored on this draft.

Malcolm Jenkins - hit and miss, turned into an all pro in Philly.
Chip Vaughn - No longer in the league
Stanley Arnoux - No longer in the league
Thomas Morstead

2010

Patrick Robinson - Reach in the first round, rated as a 3rd rounder
Charles brown - No longer with the team
Jimmy Graham - traded
Al Woods - cut in preseason, now with the titans
Matt Tenant - No longer with the team
Sean Canfield - No longer with team

2011

Cameron Jordan - Has been very average this year
Mark Ingram - Not a great fit when Payton won't commit to the run
Martez Wilson - no longer with the team
Johnny Patrick - no longer with the team
Greg Romeus - no longer with the team
Nate Bussey - no longer with the team

2012

Akiem Hicks
Nick Toon
Corey White
Andrew Tiller
Marcel Jones

*No players left from 2012 draft*

2013

Kenny Vaccaro - has played well so far this season
Terron Armstead - Great, but always injured
John Jenkins - watch his collegiate tape, he was useless then too
Kenny Stills - solid before trade, Ellerbe always injured
Rufus Johnson - No longer with the team

2014

Brandin Cooks - the 2nd best player on our team IMHO
SJB - no longer here
Khairi Fortt - no longer here
Vinnie Sunseri - no longer here
Ronald Poweel - no longer here
Tavon Rooks - no longer here

2015 - Jeff Ireland gets brought in

Andrus Peat - Rookie of the year Marcus Peters was still on the board
Stephone Anthony - Should still be at MLB
Kikaha - Injured too often
Grayson - practice squad
PJ Williams - unfortunate injury in a promising second year
Davis Tull - no longer here
Tyler Davison
Damian Swann - too many concussions and other injuries
Marcus Murphy

2016

Sheldon Rankins - injured
Michael Thomas - kid looks good to me
Vonn Bell - should be starting in Byrd's spot
David Onyemata - raw but has talent
Lasco - unsure as of yet

My biggest concerns are the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 drafts.

Out of 28 players we drafted over those seasons, 6 are still with the team.
The players from those drafts would be entering their prime now if we had made smart selections, we would have a ton of depth and not have to rely as heavily on Free Agency to plug the holes, which have failed regardless anyway.

If I remember correctly, Payton gave away a pick or 2 to get Mark Ingram, and we are only giving him 12 runs a game....

Look at all the defensive players that we drafted are either no longer on the team, or in the NFL at all.

Your bonehead creator picked a fine chapter to omit from your memory bank....let me ask you, does a machine like yourself ever experience fear? - Vegeta, DBZ

saintfan

I won't say we are a great drafting team, but it's hard not to see it in a bubble. It isn't always talent (or lack of talent) that makes a player stick.

But I don't sweat it as much as some cause to me the draft is a crap shoot. Yes, some teams are better, and the draft isn't exactly luck, but you can't get into a guys head and make those predictions - at least not accurately.


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K Major

We also seem to keep some players a year or two too long.

jeanpierre

Biggest problem we have is waaaaay too much moving up, giving up multiple picks, and selecting one player...

Don't believe the draft is as much a crap shoot as some argue; there's some credible tactics and examinations that can be made...

Most NFL front offices are staffed with "yes men" with many having a job because of rampant, gross nepotism and haven't a clue...

The few teams that draft well and are perennial contenders and are staffed with a mix of smart operatives who're there on merit...

The other problem is Sean Payton has waaaaay too much personnel control, it's not a strength, and he handicaps himself with bad decisions...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Rugby Saint II

Ireland didn't have time to prepare before his first draft with the team and still had the best draft we've had in years. Last years draft brought in key defensive pieces for the future. I hope Benson gives Ireland more power over draft matters.

I hate to say it but it's time to change the dynamics in the Saints front office. I just need Payton to focus on offense and make this another productive draft so that we can win games not just put up huge numbers in the passing game. We need a complimentary defense and we are just a couple of moves and some healthy players away from a deep run in the playoffs next year.

hagan714

thus the reason why the saints have no depth.