2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

This is how we look a month before the draft...

DE (2) 94 - Cameron Jordan, 55 - Darryl Tapp , 76 - Mitchell Loewen

DT (2) 98 - Sheldon Rankins, 90 - Nick Fairley, 92 - Justin Zimmer

NT (2) 95 - Tyeler Davison, 93 - David Onyemata, 96 - Ashaad Mabry

DE (2) 57 - Alex Okafor, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 77 - D.J. Pettway, 61 - Royce LeFrance

At the very least we need another WDE behind Okafor, who isn't injury prone...

Another option is Onyemata could kick outside to DE and gain another DT...

Of course, drafting an elite DE would also work, but at least we look better, and healthier, on our Defensive Line...

Even if Okafor, or that side can contain, you can still have Rankins/Fairley making plays (i.e. SK, FF) up the middle...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I'd say we probably need two WDE's in front of Okafor too. Other than Jordan it's a sad state of affairs right now at DE.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I have been preaching this for quite some time, JP. Cam Jordan is a monster and if he had any help consistently across the line, the Saints defense would QUICKLY become far better. The interior help will be there for sure. We just need that other force on the other end.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I guess I have a two points to one argument I'm setting up...

First, we have much better talent this offseason than we've had for some time on the defensive line and all should be healthy...

Even have argued Kruger, who was signed Week 1 and coming off a neck/back injury could be brought back & help in a rotation...

Sheldon Rankins was a rookie, had to learn the game and recover from a broken leg...

And a new defensive scheme was installed for the fifth time in Payton's ten year term...

Second, this is one deep draft; Trey Hendrickson, DE Florida Atlantic has a high/mid second round grade and will probably go in the late third round; same with Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon...

So if our first two picks aren't a DE, that doesn't mean the sky's falling...

Now unless we lose two starting cornerbacks to injury, a starting high first round rookie defensive lineman to injury as well, bench a starting safety, and have an injured back on a ProBowl DE all by the end of Week 2 (and not to mention have a NT play with a torn pec), we should have an improved defensive line in a familiar scheme...

It's more important that we don't r-e-a-c-h for players in the draft, spend two picks on players in the draft, but draft value and maximize success with as many picks as the 2006 draft, whatever their position of talent.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Looks to me like a stud LB would make all the difference.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Just throwing this out there that we might already have one in Klein. I'll keep hopeful about that. (Not that we should avoid drafting a badass if one falls to us...)

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

:popcorn:

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

As long as we're being hopeful, maybe Mike Nolan will be able to fix what ever's wrong with Stephone Anthony.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

[QUOTE=jeanpierre;743376]
Second, this is one deep draft; Trey Hendrickson, DE Florida Atlantic has a high/mid second round grade and will probably go in the late third round; same with Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon...

So if our first two picks aren't a DE, that doesn't mean the sky's falling...

Either in the 3rd and OLB TJ Watt in the 2nd would be great!

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Cam would benifit from a space eating double team monster next him. Just like Sheldon Rankins would. I am hoping that David Onyemata will step up and file that role. We do not have any other hope that i see on the roster

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I agree, NT is the key, crush the middle and all becomes well. Davison needs some more better help. I do like the thought of Ony. sliding outside.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Dolphins released Jordan. He has to be at least worth a look.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Yeah, while the Saints train passes by at 70 mph...

You're the No.3 pick in the draft and you can't be mature enough to keep your act clean, put in the work, and make the effort...

Let him geaux to Seattle...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

"The Sky is never falling! The earth is trying to reach Heaven!" It's one of those "Tank half empty, Tank half full" kind of things!!

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

The last time we had a good defense was when we had a good DE on the other side of Cam... Needs to be the number 1 priority, imagine not having to blitz to get to the QB, imagine Cam not being doubled or chipped on every passing play.

Unfortunately, Payton is to invested in spending money on CBs...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

[quote=MarchingOn;743402]

Please no watt. The kid is avg at best. Living on his brothers name.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Don't remember seeing JJ playing in the Wisconsin v LSU game...

And those TFLs, SKs, and INT Touchdown Return - pretty sure that wasn't JJ either...

Is he a first rounder, maybe, marginal, but he could be picked there...

If he's there in the second round, I'd definitely take him...

Yeah, he's JJ Watt's little brother, let him be judged on his own play, but don't handicap him for that either...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Got a strong feeling it'll be Taco Charlton acrossed from Jordan. He's not my choice, but it sounds like that's the direction we're leaning.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

God I hope not. His body of work is pretty average. I just don't see any justification for "Taco" to be selected @ 20 much less #11 by the Saints.
Having long arms and height won't win you one on one battles at the elite level.

Hopefully the Saints pass on Taco Bueno.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I like McDowell in the 2nd over Taco at pick #11, McDowell had a overall better body of work.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I don't see anything special about Charlton but that's just me. I'd prefer Barnett or a guy like McKinley who has a non stop motor. Re watched a couple of Michigan games in their entirety and there were times where he was invisible. I see a guy who is inconsistent in his effort & limited with pass rush moves. Not what you want with your first pick. If you want a pure pass rusher similar to Junior, take Takkarist. Some players are safer bets than others, that is why game tape is so important. At the end of the day, I'm not impressed.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Barnett's sparq scores were awful. Now, I'm one of the first to tell you to look at the tape, but it's clear that he's reached his ceiling.

All throughout the leadup to the draft, Barnett has been "toughing it out" with this ailment or that ailment, when the truth is, he's not a good athlete...

Admire him for his skill and college production, but he's gonna be a big bust when he gets to the NFL; sort of like Weurffel was at the QB position...

I'm cautiously optimistic about Charlton because when Michigan went to the 4-3 front, his production took off; so that's why I give him the benefit of the doubt as a one year wonder...

Cam Jordan is as small a DE I'd want in a 4-3 front; in fact, having Sheldon Rankins undersized already, I'd be cautious about having too many undersized guys, regardless of college production...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Depending on what round we pick RB we need to invest a high pick on DE. There will be several pass rushers still available.