YeahSaintsWin
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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!!!
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!!!