With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

With the uncertainty of offseason team activities do you think the Saints draft a little differently than they would otherwise? I could see how it may be hard for skill position players who may normally have an immediate impact to catch up to speed of the NFL. I have a feeling we will see a lot of draft day trades for other current players than we have in years past. Especially since we are in a win now mode. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

I think if there is a change in draft strategy, it will be because they just want to try something new. I don't think the current circumstances should change anything.

Every team is going to be equally behind, and you still have to be looking at setting up your future, as you draft. So I don't know why this would force a team to do anything other than draft according to the best players available on their board.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Disagree. This is an elite league. Just "trying something new" will get you fired.

Evaluating a player in person, under your controlled scenarios is essential. Especially regarding intangibles, injuries, IQ and compatibility.

Not having several opportunities to evaluate a player in person will absolutely change a team's draft philosophy.

It's been quoted coaches will pick safe. Most will. Maybe teams will take a chance but not on someone they're not already familiar with.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

I anticipate fewer trades than usual from Payton this year. It's a new system for drafting and we won't have the whole team together to make things happen on short notice. Trades may take too much time unless both teams discussed it before the draft.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

According to Pat Kirwan virtually all trade scenarios have already been discussed between GM's prior to the draft. Especially those in the earlier rounds. These trades are rarely done "on the fly". Usually it's a quick call to say, "Still up for what we discussed?"

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

........?



You don't seem to have gotten my point, and I'm not sure I get yours. I didn't say that they SHOULD try something new, I'm responding to The Dude's question, and saying that IF they draft differently it won't be because of the covid circumstances, it will just be because they want to try something new. And by that, I'm not suggesting they'd just whimsically throw darts at the wall, or pin the donkey to make their picks, as you seem to be under the impression that I was saying.

I'm saying that if they do something along the lines of what The Dude was suggesting -making draft day trades for veteran players, as opposed to trading draft picks to move up- then it will be because they decided they wanted to go with more veterans (perhaps to expedite the improvement of the roster for one last run with Drew?) and not because of anything else.

I do NOT foresee them going that route. But regardless of how they draft, I see no reason why this situation would MAKE them draft "differently". What you are describing is how the evaluation process is different this time around. I never disputed that. I didn't even bring it up. My point is that, just because you weren't able to go through your normal evaluation process, doesn't mean your strategy in the draft changes. You have less hands on information than you otherwise would have, but whatever information you DO have, you will establish your prospect board on that, and draft accordingly.

Every team is in the same boat. But the draft is still going to be 7 rounds. So, what? Are teams just not going to draft players? Everyone can't trade all their picks. See what I'm saying? There's no difference in strategy. If you can make a trade for a veteran who makes sense in the makeup of your roster, you do it, just like you would any other year.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

But....but....that's not how Kevin Costner did trades on the movie Draft Day! Are you sure about that Guido??? You may want to check your sauces. :doh:

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

LOL! I remember Kirwan talking about how unrealistic that movie was a couple of years ago. I wish I could access that show again. I've searched but can't find it.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

If they're trying something new, it's likely because of COVID circumstances.

Ever since Ireland came aboard, drafts seem to have improved. Why change your draft approach unless your evaluation process is hindered?

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Jeff Ireland has done wonders for this organization since he met with Payton at the job fair known as the Senior bowl. Ireland was between jobs and I'm so glad we brought him on board. We can now stock the shelves with rookies and can let our draft picks go when it's time for another contract if we can't afford them.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Way too much draft detail for me. LOL! As you know, my friend, what happens in the draft happens and is always water under the bridge as far as I am concerned. Now the negotiating parts with other franchises is interesting, but my interest in the players come into play when, and if, they make the team and hit the field. But, of course, I also enjoy the contract and cap implications. Far more interesting to me than the draft itself. I'm not saying I do not enjoy watching the draft these days because I expect every pick to be a goldmine.

Oh ...

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

I forgot how bad we hosed Seattle in the Jimmy Graham deal. That wound up to be one of the smartest moves in recent memory.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Dude, I'm not saying they will, or should, change their strategy. I'm pretty sure I made that point as clear as possible.

It was just a response to the question that was posed. And, in my opinion, IF there were a different strategy employed, there is no logical reason for covid to have anything to do with it. These guys have access to tons and tons of film. They can interview players over the phone. I don't see the inability to put eyes on players in person having so much of an impact that teams will be scared to draft players. I think they'll move forward with the same plan they've had the last few years, and if guys don't work out... That's nothing new. That's how the draft works.

So if they want to trade for veteran players, maybe it would just mean that they identified some players that they want, and trading draft picks is the way to acquire them. However, the Saints' draft capitol is kind of terrible. So, I don't know what they have to offer.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

I didn't say you did either! I merely disagreed with the ideas. My opinion stands - if a draft strategy changes, it's likely due to not being able to assess a certain player the way they would in the past. The past being before COVID. They'll likely pass on a player they could have further vetted.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Well, I guess we all have our opinions. I'm just wondering why they would pass on a player who they have hours of tape on, simply because they didn't see him in person... Only to draft some other player who they have hours of tape on, but have never seen in person.

This goes back to the point I've been making all along. The Saints, right now, have a board with prospect rankings on it, based on whatever information they DO have. Granted, they might not have as much information as they'd like, or as they or used to getting, but they can do nothing about that. So, they'll go forward with their board and draft according to best player available, with perhaps some emphasis on certain needs, or perhaps not. Just as they always have.

To avoid one "risk" is to go with another "risk", in this situation. So what changes? That's all I'm saying.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

I didn't suggest they'd pass on a player they already liked. In fact, I think they're more likely to go with players they have familiarity with this year in particular. The fact they can't meet with certain players to vet them more means those players are likely further down their board.

Re: With questions about OTAs and rookie minicamp could the Saints change their draft strategy?
 

Payton already said that he'll take less chances on players with an injury history. That alone is a huge change from the usual gamblers approach of rolling the dice on an injured player. Our roster is already littered with injured players who can't contribute on a regular basis that looked promising.

Film don't lie. That's the theme for this year I would imagine. If a player shows good field awareness that's great but if he's fighting through an injury we may still have to pass no matter how much Payton likes the player.