Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Back to a topic of interest. It was a really good one for a while. Looking at our Saints 1st round grades, who do you think will still be there at 16 and who'd you pick?
Quarterbacks:
Alex Smith-Utah-1st (MAYBE)

Offensive Tackles:
Jammal Brown-Oklahoma-1st (MAYBE)
Alex Barron-Florida State-1st (GONE)
Khalif Barnes-Washington-1st (SHOULD)

Outside Linebackers:
Derrick Johnson-Texas-1st (GONE)
Shawne Merriman-Maryland-1st (MAYBE)
Kevin Burnett-Tennessee-1st (SHOULD)

Inside Linebackers:
Barrett Ruud-Nebraska-1st (WILL)
Cornerbacks:
Antrel Rolle-Miami-1st (GONE)
Adam Jones-West Virginia-1st (GONE)
Justin Miller-Clemson-1st (SHOULD)
Carlos Rogers-Auburn-1st (SHOULD)

OK, I think it comes down to these guys...
Smith QB
Barnes OT
Brown OT
Ruud, ILB
Merriman OLB
Burnette OLB
Rodgers CB
Miller CB

I think I'd be OK with any of these. 16 may be a bit too high for a few so trading down is an option but I like this entire list.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

If Thomas davis isn\'t there...I would go with Darryl Blackstock...

I know a lot of people will say we could just wait..and get him with the 40th...but..His stock is on the rise...and IF we can\'t get Davis..we\'d better think real hard about making a play for this guy..he won\'t be there at 40...no way...

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Good job. I wouldn\'t take Barnes at 16 though. I would snag Barron there immediately. Also, wouldn\'t take Burnett there either, nor Rudd, nor Merriman.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

But if we pass on all these LB\' s because we think 16 is too high, they won\'t be there at 40.
I\'d rather reach a little and get who we want than pass on a Ruud or Burnette or Merriman at 16 because we have them slotted at 22, and end up with no LB\'s at all.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

sportsweekly

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

If that were our best options, i\'d trade back. That\'s why I wouldn\'t take them at 16.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

I like Blackstock...He has been ranked as high as 3rd best coming out, which I know doesn\'t mean a whole heck of alot...but..Bieng put in the top 3 means that you can pretty much do whatever the best ones will be able to do...

However...I do think we will be able to get Davis...I really don\'t see any other teams making a \'reach\'\' for him above the 16th pick...and Haslett has openly expressed interest in drafting a Safety...how much of that still holds, now that we have allready signed a quality safety?..I don\'t know...

There really are a lot of different options...

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

At 16, if Smith is still there, someone will want to trade to get him. I would trade back and then pick up BPA (hopefully a LB).
If not I would choose from these 3. Smith, Brown, Merriman.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Thats what Seattle did when they wanted Shokey. It was too high for Shockey, they traded down and then the Giants traded up just before Seattle and took Shockey.
Seattle ended up with Stevens. All because of 10 slots.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Um, weren\'t we just talking about how deep this draft is at LB? If we don\'t get one, we\'ll get the other. who\'s strategy is it to target ONE player in a draft anyway? Teams that do that get screwed cause they have no plan B, and you never can tell what the team in front of you is gonna do. NONE of those LBs will be gone by 16, so trading back won\'t hurt us.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

i definitely do not think any lb but dj is a #16. trade back if that is whatcha want. ya didnt mention travis johnson dt should be there. that is right in the range he is pegged for now. i am not liking the thought of thomas davis a s a tweener. i\'d rather someone that is a sure thing one position or the other. ditto merriman on that. 3-4 he would be great. if ya miss burnett or crowder moving back there is blackstock or others. odell thurman looks good too.

another guy falling like deuce or smith would be the best option even if it were a qb.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

You\'re right. I just have this recurring fear that each time we pick all the remaining LB\'s will be graded 10 to 12 spots later on our board so they continue to pass, and we end up getting 2 more DE\'s, a 1-gap DT, an OG, a back-up RB, and a small speedy WR, and NO STINKING LB\'S!
I need to snap out of it. :casstet:

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Honestly, that is a legit fear. But IMO, if there is a player someone else really wants, we may be able to trade down and get an extra first for next year like Dallas did(Julius Jones), and still get 2 good LBs in the 2nd round. Unlikely, I know, but possible. Then we trade one of those firsts and AB and get Leinart!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop me before I start ranting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :seeingstars:

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

Darryl Blackstock is a good player, but could be had lower so I wouldn\'t consider it. We forgot to mention about Travis Johnson the stud DT. I\'d take Merriman over Burnett. Burnett is going to go lower although I wouldn\'t mind replacing Allen with him. He\'s definately an upgrade. Merriman has Peter Boulware type of talent.

Saints draft grade, options at 16.
 

I wouldnt reach for Blackstock nor take Merriman because I feel that both are better fits in a 3-4 package, first because Blackstock played in a 3-4 at UVA and second, because Merriman reminds me of a poor man\'s John Abraham and is better suited for DE. I love Johnson(of course, hes a Nole) but I think that he is more of a 1 gap tackle. At 16, I trade back, if not, then I take either Rogers, Miller, or Davis.