Draft Recap.. It All Worked Out As Planned.. (1 Viewer)

YeahSaintsWin

Pro-Bowler
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
805
Reaction score
588
Offline
The Saints 2021 NFL Draft results aren't getting many rave reviews. I've heard "reach" and other sour grape type comments more than glad tidings. Who cares what you think? What matters is what this draft accomplished. So, consider this...

Grade B.. With the draft, the Saints filled holes created by salary cap issues and free agency. And, if 2-3 of 7 picks are future starters, then I'd count that as a winning draft.

Round #1, Pick 28 - DE Payton Turner.. A "Prototype" Project and not "Elite" at his position. That's what you may hear but, in the offseason, the Saints lost three defensive linemen who each played a significant role in the defense. To get a skill player to replenish the sacks the team loss with the departure of Hendrickson and Rankins. Davenport, Granderson, Tuttle and Roach can step up their playing time but the Saints needed a player who could take rotation snaps and this draft didn't have a bumper crop of defensive line help; Payton Turner looks the part of a guy who can make a contribution this season.

Round #2, Pick 60 - LB Pete Warner.. The Saints have long wanted a "thumper" type LB in the middle of the defense. The team lost three LBs and needed a guy who could play. With Baun and Ellis, the LB Room does not need 2-3 rookies added but one guy who can get on the field was a good pick. Yeah, Jabril Cox may have been a better replacement for Alexander but the goal was to replace Anzalone/Alonzo and may have found their guy. Basically, the team bolstered the run defense versus the pass defense.

Round #3, Pick 76- CB Paulson Adebo.. Finally a CB!! The Draft Grade could have been better if the team was successful in adding a Horn or Surtain to the roster but, with a deep CB draft, the team found Abedo in the 3rd Round and traded up to grab him. I like the player and, if the Saints want to save some money they may have drafted a Richard Sherman clone after they already hired Sherman's former coach.

Round #4, Pick 133 - QB Ian Book.. I felt the Saints might draft a QB. With Taysom returning to his role as the SWK-guy, Winston was the only experienced QB in the Room. So, the team brought in a veteran and drafted a rookie. After being called "one of the worst picks in the draft", Book needs to have his sights set on the practice squad.

Round #6, Pick 206 - OT Landon Young.. The man has size and lots of experience starting in the SEC but i don't see him beating out Hurst, Throckmorton or Greenidge. This was considered a deep OL draft, so it's good the Saints drafted a player in case he can be coached up. And, if you plan to run the football, a team can't have too much OL help.

Round #7, Pick 255 - WR Kawaan Baker.. Drafting a WR with the final pick, says a lot about how the Saints feel about the WR Room. This was a deep WR talent draft and many players can run, catch and beat defenders. Baker was that kind of player for his college. And he will need to show what he can do in Training Camp or there may be no room on the Practice Squad.

Bottom Line.. the Top Three picks should have no problem making the roster and all have significant contributions this season. Many players drafted in this draft class will compete with a player who is only a year or two ahead of them and that gives them a shot. But, two of the last 3 selections are competing for the practice squad and competing against Saints UDFAs and players cut from other teams.

All the players drafted won't make it. The Saints have a playoff roster and have developed very good depth at every position. Consider how many rookies and one-contract players the Saints released who have caught on with other teams. The Saints have former players on almost every roster in the NFL and, with talent evaluators who have that track record, this team will be alright.

GO Saints!!!
 
You are seriously delusional if you think the first 3 draft picks are all going to make a major impact this coming season.

I'll be happy if they all just see the field at some point.

How is that delusional? Seems pretty logical, and well reasoned, if anything.

Turner is obviously going to be in rotation, that's how the defensive line has worked for a good minute now. Provided we don't sign Sherman/another vet CB, or trade for one, I don't see how you don't put Adebo across from Lattimore. And if Latt is suspended, he's definitely going to see the field. Warner will probably see the field least unless he really performs well, but he's likely going to be in on most running downs.
 
How is that delusional? Seems pretty logical, and well reasoned, if anything.

Turner is obviously going to be in rotation, that's how the defensive line has worked for a good minute now. Provided we don't sign Sherman/another vet CB, or trade for one, I don't see how you don't put Adebo across from Lattimore. And if Latt is suspended, he's definitely going to see the field. Warner will probably see the field least unless he really performs well, but he's likely going to be in on most running downs.
You did read where he said all 3 will have a significant impact, not just "be in rotation"?

The OP is expecting great things from all 3 in year 1. That's nowhere near reasonable expectation in any draft, much less ones in which we have players we need to "develop".

I hope he's right and I'm wrong. He needs to be right because this is a pivotal draft to determine if we'll continue to be a force in the league.
 
I honestly don't think Book is destined for the practice squad. If he shows even a little ability, he's the backup.

I just don't see Taysom as a solution at QB. he's dangerous when the opponent doesn't know what he's going to do. He's a turnover hazard when they do.
Book is going to be the QB of the future and will acclimate himself sooner than some want to believe. Winston is the QB#1 and Hill is the swiss army knife which will make Book the #2 QB and with the Saints being in the middle of a retooling going with Book as the starting QB if Winston goes down or falls on his face is not out of the question especially if Book proves the games not to big for him, Payton will have no problem going with Book and whatever learning curve that comes with him.
 
Last edited:
If I had to describe Werner it'd be - athletic, smart, and solid coverage LB with position flexibility and mixed success as a blitzer.

'Thumper' is one word I wouldn't use.

I think it's a solid pick but to me he's very much a Will, and better in space than on the inside thumping whoever hits the A and B gaps.
 
You did read where he said all 3 will have a significant impact, not just "be in rotation"?

The OP is expecting great things from all 3 in year 1. That's nowhere near reasonable expectation in any draft, much less ones in which we have players we need to "develop".

I hope he's right and I'm wrong. He needs to be right because this is a pivotal draft to determine if we'll continue to be a force in the league.
Significant contributions and great things are two totally different thought processes, I believe you are over exaggerating his words. He talks about rotational pieces and fulfilling 3 departing players roles for Turner. Adebo was considered a 1st round pick before skipping out 2020.

I think they will also have a meaningful impact in some way or another.

I believe Taysom goes back to his joker role and Ian Book becomes #2, this makes our offense that much more efficient.
 
we can dig up the old threads from 2017 when half the board was like " why did you move up for a RB in the third round from Tennessee that nobody knows, when you just signed Peterson!!"

we... know... nothing....
 
Book is going to be the QB of the future and will acclimate himself sooner than some want to believe. Winston is the QB#1 and Hill is the swiss army knife which will make Book the #2 QB and with the Saints being in the middle of a retooling going with Book as the starting QB is Winston goes down or falls on his face is not out of the question especially is Book proves the games not to big for him, Payton will have no problem going with Book and whatever learning curve that comes with him.
Book may well be the Qb of the Future, but right now, I'd bet that Siemian is the #2 QB if Winston is the starter and Hill the SAK.

(I'm hoping, though, that Book shines brightly and indeed becomes the backup...)
 
we can dig up the old threads from 2017 when half the board was like " why did you move up for a RB in the third round from Tennessee that nobody knows, when you just signed Peterson!!"

we... know... nothing....
"You know nothing. In fact, you know less than nothing. If you knew that you knew nothing, then that would be something, but you don't."
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account on our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Users who are viewing this thread

    Back
    Top Bottom