Strategy for 1st pick (was: DJ Johnson vs. Thomas Davis. Are

SaintFanInATLHELL · 04-23-2005, 09:04 AM

Using the last 4 years as a gauge, the Saints have done well when that have done a BPA pick in the 1st round (Smith, McAllister), OK when picking for need (Stallworth), and flat terrible when they traded up to Sullivan.

That trend serves as evidence for my latest thesis: the Saints must pick superior talent to overcome the inevitable coaching and organizational obstacles that our picks will face.

So the question is can we pick superior talent especially in our area of need?

The board consensus seems to be that LB is the most serious need to be filled. However I've seen a bunch of posts where folks are talking about trading down.

Personally I think that's a bad idea because of my thesis. We don't need a lot of good players, we need superior players in athleticism, smarts, leadership, and heart to propel the franchise forward. And because of Sullivan (who fails in the last 2 areas, and is marginal in the first 2) we can't trust our own scouting departments to make that assesment. So for picks #16 we really need to get top 10 talent, and for #40 we need to get 1st round talent.

Now at LB the only top 10 talent is DJ Johnson. The question is how well does he fit into the 4 categories above? Is he worth a reach?

Next is Thomas Davis. His only downside is that his safety cover skills are suspect. But if he's playing LB then what's his downside?

Then who is the Darren Howard of the draft for #40? Howard was projected in the 1st round but dropped due to injury. He has played to form: 1st round talent in an injury plagued career.

If the Saints drop out of the 1st round, then what superior talent can they get?

Note that we cannot fix the real problem right now, which is getting a better organization to surround the players.

So what's the stopgap? Reach for DJ, take Davis at 16 because he's a stud LB but not a stud safety? Do we pick the BPA at #16 even if it's out of our need area and fill the LB need with one of the also rans (Ruud, Burnette, Merriman)

My current feeling is to take Davis at 16. I've had a chance to watch him during his career at Georgia. He's a stud.

What's your choice?

SFIAH

04-23-2005, 09:04 AM	#1
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,781	Strategy for 1st pick (was: DJ Johnson vs. Thomas Davis. Are Using the last 4 years as a gauge, the Saints have done well when that have done a BPA pick in the 1st round (Smith, McAllister), OK when picking for need (Stallworth), and flat terrible when they traded up to Sullivan. That trend serves as evidence for my latest thesis: the Saints must pick superior talent to overcome the inevitable coaching and organizational obstacles that our picks will face. So the question is can we pick superior talent especially in our area of need? The board consensus seems to be that LB is the most serious need to be filled. However I've seen a bunch of posts where folks are talking about trading down. Personally I think that's a bad idea because of my thesis. We don't need a lot of good players, we need superior players in athleticism, smarts, leadership, and heart to propel the franchise forward. And because of Sullivan (who fails in the last 2 areas, and is marginal in the first 2) we can't trust our own scouting departments to make that assesment. So for picks #16 we really need to get top 10 talent, and for #40 we need to get 1st round talent. Now at LB the only top 10 talent is DJ Johnson. The question is how well does he fit into the 4 categories above? Is he worth a reach? Next is Thomas Davis. His only downside is that his safety cover skills are suspect. But if he's playing LB then what's his downside? Then who is the Darren Howard of the draft for #40? Howard was projected in the 1st round but dropped due to injury. He has played to form: 1st round talent in an injury plagued career. If the Saints drop out of the 1st round, then what superior talent can they get? Note that we cannot fix the real problem right now, which is getting a better organization to surround the players. So what's the stopgap? Reach for DJ, take Davis at 16 because he's a stud LB but not a stud safety? Do we pick the BPA at #16 even if it's out of our need area and fill the LB need with one of the also rans (Ruud, Burnette, Merriman) My current feeling is to take Davis at 16. I've had a chance to watch him during his career at Georgia. He's a stud. What's your choice? SFIAH