Moving up in the draft?

nola12 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:43:38 -0000

If the saints were to trade up, and that is a huge if due to the cost in terms of draft picks and the realization that whoever they pick at number two will have to receive a contract in the 50+ million dollar range. If they do go for it, the pick is obviously going to be Dorsey. There is a significant amount of talk within NFL circles that Gholston is overrated and could drop out of the top five. Nevertheless, the drafting of Dorsey would excite the entire state and, more importantly, give the saints what could be one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in the years to come.

The current draft chart, which has been used for decades is not a real tool anymore to gauge what a team would have to give up to move up. There is a sort of revamped draft chart posted here:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/...

Still, it will take a lot. I think a much better option could be moving up to pick 8, ahead of the bengals and draft sedrick ellis. Ellis would cost a lot less and is comparable to dorsey in terms of ability.

I think it is definitely possible that one of these names could be on the saints roster by the end of the draft: glenn dorsey, sedrick ellis, or lito sheppard.

it is still way to early to make predictions, but in the next 10 days and on draft day, the saints are in a prime position to make a move.

but then again, this could all be for nothing and the saints will take DRC, Keith Rivers, etc. with the 10th pick. we'll just have to wait and see.

2nd Round Pick

nola12 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:15:51 -0000

Leave it to the Falcons to nab him three picks ahead of us. So much for that. I think now it comes down to a few players:

ILB Mayo: a first-round prospect who projects to be a very good middle-linebacker. The question becomes, as I said in an earlier comment was if he could work as a weakside linebacker with Vilma filling in the middle.

TE USC's Fred Davis/Purdue's Dustin Keller: Both are very much alike in that they excel at pass-catching but need to develop blocking skills to become great tight ends. Nevertheless, Sean Payton learned from Parcells that a TE is vital and can change an entire offense. Imagine Brees being able to slice and dice through the middle with a TE that can go over the top.

OLB Shawn Crable: Crable is an intriguing player who has great size at 6-5, 250. He has a lot of upside and could easily turn out to be a good starting linebacker. The issues with him are his questionable work-ethic and fact that he only had 2 years starting at Michigan.

DT Pat Sims: with Balmer going off the board, Sims can fill a huge need at DT. He has a lot of potential, but has some "pretty big character issues." The opposite, in terms of character is Trevor Laws, a DT from Notre Dame. Laws may not have the upside, but he has great intangibles and a strong motor.

In the end, I think the Saints are going to have to go defensive in rounds one and two. I think that this particular draft, and how it has worked out, would leave the Saints in an interesting predicament in terms of the fact that there is really no great defensive player that fills a major hole with balmer being off the board. Then it is a possibility that the Saints could nab a tight end, which I believe Payton wants.

SB Nation User Blog: nola12

Moving up in the draft?

2nd Round Pick