Thoughts on draft needs (revised)

[MPjeffryred]

With Spagnuolo becoming the Def. Coord., I think that his approach will be different than Greg Williams. He prefers athletic, with rush technique tackles who can move. In fact, with the Giants he sometimes had four DE types rushing the passer on third and long. But, he did not frequently blitz.
I can see Cameron Jordan playing more DT this coming year, if Greg Romeus emerges as hoped. Also, I see Tom Johnson getting more snaps and Gallette coming off the edge more than in the past. What does this mean? It may indicate that DT is not as much of a priority as previously thought, especially if we can re-sign a FA DT such as Rodgers or even Franklin. Add a DT prospect later, not sooner.

Also, the biggest LB need in 2012 may be MLB. Vilma has lost a step and his knees are very suspect. He may renegotiate his contract or become a salary cap casualty. Martez Wilson should emerge at SLB, Casillas will return from injury at WLB and Jo Lon Dunbar can fill in at any of those positions even MLB. What is probably the greatest defensive need is MLB.
I like Mychal Kendricks with our #59 pick as he is a MLB who can also play on the outside. He should be there at our pick and he was the PAC 10 defensive player of the year in 2011.

Previously, I saw the Saints losing Marcus Colston and drafted Brian Quick to replace him in the third round. Since, Colston's re-signing the changed pick becomes Sean Spence, LB from Miami. He falls to the Saints due to his small stature, but has all the tools to be successful as a WLB. Casillas has been injury prone anyway. And, Spence has played all three LB positions, with his natural fit at WLB. This bolsters the LB corps which has recently never been fully adressed. The possibility remains that Vilma will be a cap casualty. Stay tuned.

With Nicks departing, as well as Bushrod is in his last year of his deal. So, even with the signing of Grubbs, I would move up in the fourth 13 spots to the pick the Redskins got from Oakland and pay for this by giving the Redskins pick #7 in the sixth round which we obtained from Washington in the Jamaal Brown trade. I would take Tony Bergstrom, OL from Utah. He played LT and RT at Utah, but played left guard at the Senior Bowl and did well. He may well turn out to be better than Strief.

We need depth at S and CB. The combo player who may well be available in round 5 is Justin Bethel from tiny Presbyterian College. Actually, I see him playing some nickel corner and working into backing up Malcolm Jenkins eventually.

With the pick we traded with Miami in round 6 (Bush trade, we got theirs, they got ours), I suggest B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee Chattanoga. He has a live arm, leadership abililty, and is athletic. With Brees seeming a bit self centered and injuries always a possibility, I think Chase Daniel needs a real challenge for backup duties. It seems that Sean Canfield will never make it as more than a practice team player.

In round seven, I would select a DT, Markus Kuhn, N.Carolina State. He can move well and is a big talent with potential. I liked Jaye Howard previously, but some concerns about his character have emerged. As well, he may be gone by round 4-5 as he is rising on many draft boards.


All of us hate losing key players, but that is reality. The Saints have rarely had, five or six top contributors so attractive to other teams in a single year. Nicks, Colston, Meachum, Porter, Franklin, Rodgers, etc , many of these may be playing elsewhere next season. Although it is a pain in the asss, it is a good sign of the quality team we have become. All of this is moot until we do see whom we lose in free agency. And, I hope Brees regains his senses and becomes team oriented instead of Tom Condon oriented which appears to currently be the case!

[whodatworm23]

The sad fact is... we don't know yet if were even going to have a 59th pick, or any other pick for that matter in 2012. Look for the Saints to focus on free agency to fill their needs more so than in years past.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk958n5n66o

[SWATcha]

The biggest need for the Saints in the draft is probably going to be draft picks!
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[Canadian Saint]

Hypothetically if we get our 2nd and 3rd taken this year, and 1st next year, I'm in the opinion we fill any defensive needs through free agency and offensive needs through the draft.

I mean, Vilma to WLB, sign a legitimate MLB (Tulloch, Lofton etc).

Our D-line essentially is set, and we only need a NT.

Sign a NT like Bunkley if you want more athleticism or re-sign Rogers if you want bulk.


4th round: WR Criner
5th round: OT Don Barclay
6th round: OG prospect who has potential
7th round: A flyer who could turn out

Polarize the draft in my opinion. Go free agency for defensive needs, even it may cost us more.

Go draft for offensive needs.
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^^^ Props to SHSTE92

NFL: New Orleans Saints
NHL: Edmonton Oilers
MLB: Minnesota Twins/ Toronto Blue Jays
NBA: Phoenix Suns/Toronto Raptors

[Saint-Anger_13]

Perhaps the scouting and war room will be test. After all Carl Nicks was a 5th round pick, Colston was a 7th round pick, Bushod was a 4th round pick. Also the practice squads might have some look through. Hey Arian Foster was on a practice squad. Also undrafted players could make an Impact. Look at James Harrison, Wes Welker, Antonio Gates, Miles Austin, Jeff Saturady. All undrafted. So really it will come down to Brees being brees, Coach Spagnuolo working some magic, and really good ST. Have not seen that as a concern on the threads lately.

[jcvoodoo]

Good thoughts... really don't look for Vima to be back so I look to address the MLB thru FA. If you can get a good CB/S type player with lots of upside, then I'm all for going that way thru FA.

I agree about Nicks not coming back and I see Colston leaving, possibly Meachem too. And, we really have no clue what Brees will do so...

Right now, the best thing going for us is the potential signing of Randy Moss.

This is a weird situation the Saints find themselves in... so I'll wait to see what punishment the NFL brings on the Saints, then go from there.
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