This draft class is loaded with projects.....some more long term than others. There is something about every player we drafted that gives me hope that the coaching staff can get the most out of these guys. Without a second round pick we had to either reach for a player like Leonard or hope that we can get some value out of these players chosen later in the draft.

Rugs, we didn't have to reach for anyone, Payton and the Mickster just went back to their old draft ways after being disciplined last year and having a great draft...

It's the reaching and poor draft management that has limited the Saints to one Superbowl in the Brees era...

It was a reach based upon your personal board, but where was he on the Saints' draft board? For all we know he was sitting right there at the top and they felt he had fallen into their lap. I'll bet you that all 32 teams have draft boards that differ dramatically in different areas based upon things those team's personnel saw that others didn't ... be them correct or not. And I'll also wager they different in the same way from those created by outside "experts" and fans.

I understand you are extremely knowledgeable in the area of potential NFL rookies, but your idea of a reach may not jive with everyone's. While there can definitely be "WTF's" uttered in certain circles there are also most likely a few "craps" and "dammits" that were uttered by other frustrated that he didn't fall to them.

Guido, it's really not about my personal board. I'll gladly subdue my ego to get past that point to have an on-point discussion...

Those that know me personally know I won't hesitate to fall on my sword so that all may have the truth...

The NFL rating service even had him at a R7-FA grade as well which NFL.com basically bases their information off of...

But, whether you want to disagree or not with those far more recognized folks; this is a player who's only played a year and a half as an offensive lineman, and not with stand-out performances...

Look Payton is a gambler and a showman and has the ego in-tow to boot and I love the Saints as much as anyone and love that he's like that on game day...

Even when he's calling double reverses...

But when it comes to building a team, just wish he and Mickey would defer to Ireland's "calm and disciplined influence" and actually let it have the most weight...

Didn't expect the same haul we had last year, but was hoping for the same approach...

I'm not so proudful that I want Davenport and/or Leonard to bust...

I want them to be great Saints and I've checked much of my pessimism and criticism a great deal on their outlooks in my posts in hopeful anticipation that I'm wrong about their prospects in the Fall...

Either way that works out, when it comes to the Draft, Payton reaches - period. And his moves fail far more often than not and is the single biggest handicap to this team's success...

Of course, I hope you are wrong in your fears, but how do you know that it wasn't Ireland that gave the "go ahead" in this case? Perhaps they all saw something there that the NFL rating service doesn't take into consideration. Perhaps they see him less as a long term project and more as a solid contributor for the 53 man roster in 2018 that can quickly advance to allowing for the eventual exit of the oft injured Armstead via a move of Ramczyk to LT? Payton himself mentioned the use of variables in the evaluation process that others are not currently using. And how much does Strief's ready availability factor into the decision, as well? That too can quicken any process and shorten the curve.

Let's see wait and see how the perceived "reach" turns out "post Ireland".

Rugs, we didn't have to reach for anyone, Payton and the Mickster just went back to their old draft ways after being disciplined last year and having a great draft...

It's the reaching and poor draft management that has limited the Saints to one Superbowl in the Brees era...

We can’t heap praise on Jeff Ireland when a draft goes well and then act like it’s all Payton and Loomis’s fault when it doesn’t turn out how one might expect.

We can’t heap praise on Jeff Ireland when a draft goes well and then act like it’s all Payton and Loomis’s fault when it doesn’t turn out how one might expect.

After the last two successful Saints drafts ... kind of hard for me to argue that these guys don't know what they are doing.

Trust the process.

With your reasoning... Kamara was a reach as well. Look how that turned out so far.

I am a believer that you can't grade your draft until 3-4 years after the draft. You don't know how they will turn out/develop or how they will contribute that early usually.

Even second guessing these guys after the past couple of years is a bit much they have earned a lot of clout.

You also don't take chances... if you believe this is your guy then you take him.