New Orleans Saints Draft thread

[diabsoule]

It's not secret that I've been wanting the Saints to use more 2 TE sets like the Patriots do, nor is it a secret that I've been wanting them to draft a versatile, pass-catching TE this year.

The guy I want in the later rounds is TE Philip Lutzenkirchen from Auburn. He's more of an H-back but is a reliable route runner, has soft hands, gets off the line, makes the difficult catch and would compliment Jimmy Graham really well.

[Saints Dome Patrol]

Originally Posted by diabsoule

You're the first person I've heard of that's not impressed by Lane Johnson. I like Pugh as a prospect but I question his ability to be a LT at the next level.

Honestly, I don't know enough about Lane Johnson to make any analysis on him. All I can say is that offensive tackle might be something to target later in the draft. According to John Clayton from ESPN, he said in his combine preview for ESPN.com that the offensive line pool is one of the deepest in a long time.

The combine opens with 25 offensive linemen graded to go in the top 5 rounds, including 14 tackles.

Source: ESPN.com's John Clayton.

He does point out that Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher and diabsoule's boy might all be top 10 tackle prospects. So who knows, the Saints might let Bushrod walk instead of paying him megabucks (*gold star for whoever gets the WWF reference) and draft Fisher or Johnson in the first or even someone like Justin Pugh from Syracuse or Chris Faulk from LSU later in the draft.

[wicket]

Originally Posted by diabsoule

You're the first person I've heard of that's not impressed by Lane Johnson. I like Pugh as a prospect but I question his ability to be a LT at the next level.

maybe im basing it too much on the game we played against OU but he didnt get anything done, allowed good pressure by a mediocre rush linebacker and got no push whatsoever in the run game.

[Saints Dome Patrol]

Originally Posted by diabsoule

It's not secret that I've been wanting the Saints to use more 2 TE sets like the Patriots do, nor is it a secret that I've been wanting them to draft a versatile, pass-catching TE this year.

The guy I want in the later rounds is TE Philip Lutzenkirchen from Auburn. He's more of an H-back but is a reliable route runner, has soft hands, gets off the line, makes the difficult catch and would compliment Jimmy Graham really well.

I can't say I disagree with you, so I will have to disagree with you just said. - Jim Rome

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that H-B Phillip Lutzenkirchen is worth a draft pick. I agree with the idea of another pass catching tight end, but I honestly don't want the Saints using a draft choice on this guy, especially when we have so much other positions that could use a definite upgrade.

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by Saints Dome Patrol

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that H-B Phillip Lutzenkirchen is worth a draft pick. I agree with the idea of another pass catching tight end, but I honestly don't want the Saints using a draft choice on this guy, especially when we have so much other positions that could use a definite upgrade.

I would much rather spend drafts picks on S, LT, NT, and 3-4 OLB first before drafting a TE. I think Lutz is a fringe draftable prospect right now but he's not drafted I'll use my cell minutes to call him into the Saints camp as a UDFA.

[CJSchneider]

I am chomping at the bit to see what compensatory picks we get.

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by CJSchneider

I am chomping at the bit to see what compensatory picks we get.

I don't think we're going to get any. We signed more FA's that we lost.

[zachsaints52]

Originally Posted by Saints Dome Patrol

I'm with you on this one. I think if no one huge name falls to us, we should attempt to move down, stockpile some picks (maybe an early second rounder and a third, perhaps?) and get some quality players later in the draft.

Mickey Loomis has proven in several years that we can select players in the later rounds that are successful, like Jahri Evans (fourth round), Jermon Bushrod (fourth round) and of course, Marques Colston (seventh round).

But that's only if there's not a top-tier player that fills a team need. We have, in my opinion, need at nose tackle (now that we're switching to a 3-4), linebacker, and offensive tackle (especially if Bushrod walks in free agency). Safety and wide receiver could also be positions of concern as well.

I want to move to later 1st and gain a late 2nd/early third apart of it. I feel like we would still get someone of importance while getting a extra pick.

Originally Posted by CJSchneider

I am chomping at the bit to see what compensatory picks we get.

We wont get any at all. Based on this


http://bloggingthebeast.com/2013/01/...k-projections/

We really dont have anything. Thanks a lot Chamberlain :/

[Saints Dome Patrol]

A good read from NOLA.com about the Saints and the NFL Scouting Combine:
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...ld_find_1.html

[diabsoule]

It's official from Larry Holder - the Seahawks will get the Saints 7th round pick because of the Barrett Ruud trade. This is just FANTASTIC!

[zachsaints52]

This draft is gonna be boring :/

[Saints Dome Patrol]

I don't know, zachsaints52, I think it could be interesting since we don't know who we're going to get in the first round.

So many directions the Saints could go in...

[Bert Macklin]

Any chance we trade down and get our 2nd back? The only way we don't draft a LT is if they think Charles Brown is ready.

Also worship my avatar.

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by Bert Macklin

Any chance we trade down and get our 2nd back? The only way we don't draft a LT is if they think Charles Brown is ready.

Also worship my avatar.

I think there has to be a very realistic chance that we trade down this year. We absolutely could use the extra picks this year. Loomis has to be aware of that.

[diabsoule]

Keep an eye on Michigan State TE Dion Sims. He had an impressive weigh-in, 40 time, bench, and hand measurements.

Heigh/Weight: 6'5", 262
Hands: 10.4"
40: 4.72 and 4.75
Bench: 22
Vert: 35

Also, new Saints RB coach Dan Roushar was his OC last year

[Bert Macklin]

Just don't think I'd use any draft pick on an offensive player unless it was a tackle.

[CJSchneider]

Well, Lane Johnson had a good day today. I'm just sayin'.

[Bert Macklin]

Not a bad choice especially if we can trade down and grab an OT

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by CJSchneider

Well, Lane Johnson had a good day today. I'm just sayin'.

Originally Posted by Bert Macklin

Not a bad choice especially if we can trade down and grab an OT

I would be VERY surprised if Lane Johnson made it to our pick, but if he he did I would run up to the podium. The guy is going to be a lockdown LT for the next decade.

Also, here's my latest mock draft after today. It's a bit optimistic:

Round 1: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Round 3: CB Rob Alford, SE Louisiana
Round 4: TE Dion Sims, Michigan St.
Round 5: DE/OLB Cornelius Washington, Georgia
Round 6: NT T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech

[Naga114]

Originally Posted by Bert Macklin

Just don't think I'd use any draft pick on an offensive player unless it was a tackle.

I understand your point of view, I realy want a playmaker in our defense too, or at least not a bust.

But I'm actualy worried about the talent on our offensive side (Brees make some of them so much better) it wouldn't hurt to as some quality depht at WR, TE, OT.
I'm not sure I want Michael Higgins as 2nd TE next year, I like him but hasn't proved enough.

[Bert Macklin]

Originally Posted by Naga114

I understand your point of view, I realy want a playmaker in our defense too, or at least not a bust.

But I'm actualy worried about the talent on our offensive side (Brees make some of them so much better) it wouldn't hurt to as some quality depht at WR, TE, OT.
I'm not sure I want Michael Higgins as 2nd TE next year, I like him but hasn't proved enough.

We had the #3 offense in the league without our general and with the 18th lowest cap on offense. We need defense

[wicket]

i hate it but it looks like damontre moore took himself of our board with his workout, that was a truely pathetic workout

[zachsaints52]

Im ready to see TJ McDonald light it up in the combine.

[Bert Macklin]

Originally Posted by wicket

i hate it but it looks like damontre moore took himself of our board with his workout, that was a truely pathetic workout

Why? His play against sec offenses speaks for itself. I don't care how much he can bench. Tackle the guy with the ball.

[wicket]

Originally Posted by Bert Macklin

Why? His play against sec offenses speaks for itself. I don't care how much he can bench. Tackle the guy with the ball.

i absolutely love his film but between his drills and his 40 im getting worried about him to play standing up