jeanpierre

Expected more numbers out of Rankins, but our NTs aren't keeping OLs honest and Rankins can't beat double teams he's drawing...

Value Taven more here because he and Rankins can both switch between DE and DT3, allowing greater flexibility in matchups...

I'd agree that whatever happened last year with Arden Key needs close scrutiny and an extended personal interview...

But Key's two previous years of production are hard to ignore as he was going against many O-linemen now in the NFL...

ChrisXVI

Word is Arden Key went to rehab and personnel guys fear he may be another Randy Gregory.

K Major

Oh hell no. Too many ??? at pick #27.

Pass.

saintsfan1976

On D: MLB, DE, CB, S

On O: TE, WR, OL

ChrisXVI

I always enjoy Matt Miller’s draft coverage over at Bleacher Report. This morning he put out a full 7 round mock draft. Here’s what he has the Saints doing:

27. New Orleans Saints

The Pick: LB Malik Jefferson, Texas

The upcoming offseason will be an interesting one for the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees has said he wants to return, but we've all learned that what people say and do can sometimes be two different things. Other free agents—like safety Kenny Vaccaro—likely won't be back as the team churns the roster and players look for money and opportunities elsewhere. Who stays and goes will ultimately shape the draft for the Saints.

It'll be hard to top the 2017 draft class that brought Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Alvin Kamara and Marcus Williams to the roster; but the Saints have a reputation now for a well-honed front office. Those evaluators should see a defense that badly needs speed and playmakers in the front seven.

Malik Jefferson is a special athlete who will post rare times at the scouting combine, but some teams are struggling to reconcile that with his film that was at times uninspiring. Jefferson, playing middle linebacker, was a step late occasionally but was able to make up for it with speed. You can't do that in the NFL, of course, but with coaching and reps at just one position instead of jumping all over the defense, Jefferson could be a high-level starter.

91. New Orleans Saints S Jordan Whitehead, Pitt

123. New Orleans Saints EDGE Kemoko Turay, Rutgers

138. New Orleans Saints (from Miami) WR Dante Pettis, Washington

155. New Orleans Saints QB Riley Ferguson, Memphis

175. New Orleans Saints (from Arizona) CB Michael Joseph, Dubuque

187. New Orleans Saints LB Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson

219. New Orleans Saints OT Greg Senat, Wagner

"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple of ways you can get out. One, is death; the other, is mental institutions."

jeanpierre

Don't trust Malik Jefferson; he reminds me of Dannell Ellerbe...

jeanpierre

2018 New Orleans Saints Draft Prospects (Updated 2018/02/05)

No. 27 (R1, 27) DT Taven Bryan, Florida; Height: 6' 5"; Weight: 295 lbs.

No. 59 (R2, 27) Traded this pick with 2017 NFL Draft (R7, 229) to San Francisco via Chicago for Pick 2017 NFL Draft (R3, 67) Pick, Selected RB Alvin Kamara ROTY

No. 91 (R3, 27) LB Josey Jewell, Iowa; Height: 6’ 2”, Weight: 236 lbs.
Remaining Positions Approximated Until Compensatory Picks Assigned by NFL

No. 133 (R4, 27) OT Alex Cappa, Humboldt St.; Height: 6’ 6”; Weight: 309 lbs.

No. 154 (R5, 11) Traded LB Stephone Anthony to Miami for this pick
No. 154 (R5, 11) RG Colby Gossett, Appalachian St.; Height: 6’ 5”; Weight: 320 lbs.

No. 170 (R5, 27) WR Trey Quinn, SMU; Height: 6’ 0”; Weight: 202 lbs.

No. 184 (R6, 15) Traded RB Adrian Peterson to Arizona for this pick
No. 184 (R6, 15) RT Nick Gates, Nebraska; Height: 6’ 5”; Weight: 295 lbs.

No. 196 (R6, 27) SS Kyle Queiro, Northwestern; Height: 6’ 2”; Weight: 219 lbs.

No. 229 (R7, 27) LB Jack Cichy, Wisconsin; Height: 6’ 1”; Weight: 236 lbs. (+)

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

K Major

Top 15 pick. I think he'll be gone early.

ChrisXVI

Everything I’ve read lately compares Taven Bryan to JJ Watt. Tremendous momentum pushing him up draft boards at the moment. I haven’t watched one second of his game tape yet but it’s sounding like he could be the first DT off the board.

ChrisXVI

Todd McShay Mock Draft 2.0

27. New Orleans Saints - Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

I don’t have Todd’s reasoning for the pick but just as food for thought here’s some Harold Landry info from NFL.com’s draft profile...

Sources Tell Us
"He's just like (Vic) Beasley coming out with the way he comes off the snap. You remember how Beasley struggled early because he had to learn to be a pass rusher and not just a sprinter? I think Landry might be the same early on. When he puts it together, he'll do what Beasley did." -- NFC team pro personnel director

NFL Comparison
Bruce Irvin

Bottom Line
Landry lacks premium size, but his burst, stride length and ability to dip and rip around the edge give him special potential as an edge rusher. Landry lacks strength at the point of attack and may be a designated pass rusher early in his career. While he can play standing for 3-4 teams, he's at his best with his hand in the dirt as a rusher. Landry can get by as an NFL rusher with just speed and athleticism, but he has an opportunity to become a Pro Bowler if he can improve his hand usage and develop an inside counter.

"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple of ways you can get out. One, is death; the other, is mental institutions."