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...but ‘everything worked out’ anyway.

Sean Payton refers to it now as the “Magic Week.”

In the lead-up to the 2017 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints had three consecutive workouts with players who have now, four years later, been named to the Pro Bowl a combined seven times.

Stop No. 3: Columbus, Ohio, to work out Ohio State’s All-Big Ten cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, a projected first-round draft pick and the top player at his position.

Stop No. 2: Knoxville, Tennessee, to work out Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, who had compiled nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage in an offense that went with a tandem running back approach.

Stop No. 1: Lubbock, Texas, to work out Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who led the FBS with 5,052 yards passing and 41 touchdowns as a junior Red Raider.



“He had all those things that you look for,” Payton said of Mahomes. “He was in a hurried offense a little bit; the protection wasn't great. But, man, you saw him survive rushes; you saw him throw without his feet set. You saw him do a lot of things that you don't get to see sometimes from a college player."

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael added: “Obviously what you saw on film, there was a lot to love.”

Fast-forward to April 27, 2017. The Saints had their eyes on several players for the No. 11 overall pick.

But their top two were Mahomes and Lattimore.

As defensive coordinator Dennis Allen recalled: “Certainly I remember that both of those guys were guys that we really felt good about and were excited about having the potential opportunity to draft. ... At that point in time, we all felt really good that we were going to get a really good football player, and we were really excited about that.”

As picks came off the board — quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2, safety Jamal Adams at No. 6 — Mahomes and Lattimore remained on the board.

Then, with the Cincinnati Bengals on the clock at No. 9, Washington receiver John Ross went off the board.

“When (No.) 9 was selected, we knew we were getting one of the two. ... And then Andy (Reid) decided for us,” Payton said.

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SmashMouth

2017 was a hell of draft for us!

No. 11 — CB Marshon Lattimore

No. 32 — T Ryan Ramczyk

No. 42 — S Marcus Williams

No. 67 — RB Alvin Kamara

No. 76 — LB Alex Anzalone

No. 103 — DE Trey Hendrickson

No. 196 — DE Al-Quadin Muhammad



Still... can you imagine the course of history had the Saints been able to draft Mahomes? And just where Drew Brees would have landed? Or would he have...

ChrisXVI

It was a great draft... but Lattimore, Marcus Williams, Anzalone and Hendrickson all probably won’t get second contracts with us.

Rugby Saint II

I'll be surprised if Lattimore and Williams are both gone. T-Rex has earned a new contract but it won't likely be with us.

K Major

Marcus, Thor, Hendrickson … maybe, but I'll be shocked if Lattimore leaves N.O. anytime soon.

ChrisXVI

I don’t know man, Lattimore’s regressed every year. If he wants to be the highest paid CB I’d trade him for a first round pick if we can get it.

K Major

Regression? Absolutely but …

When you spend literally a decade trying to find a top CB and finally get one (and Lattimore, though not perfect, is probably overall top 10), you don't then let him walk to grab another rookie.

Even the Patriots under Belichick paid their top CB. That should tell you something.

Book mark this page. This will become a hot topic to discuss in 2021.

st thomas

Let’s see what happens today, let’s see him earn big money


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

shawnkytonk

Up to this point, I in no way want the team to pay Latt. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

K Major

Lattimore played pretty well today.

Good to see he was able to bat the ball down a few times.

Hill didn't run wild on us.