Thefootballexpert.com: 7 Round Mock Draft with comments for all picks

10) <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>New Orleans</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> – CB Leodis McKelvin (<ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Troy</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>)
The Saints are a disaster at cornerback. The Jason David trade blew up in their face. If they don’t take a defensive back it would be considered a huge upset, or their overconfidence that signing Randall Gay (Patriots) solves the problem entirely. They managed 13 interceptions as a team, the fourth lowest total in the NFL. McKelvin also helps them in the return game. He can succeed Mike McKenzie who turns 32 the very day this pick is made.

40) <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>New Orleans</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> – TE Fred Davis (USC)
Eric Johnson is gone and what do they really have in Billy Miller? Their reported interest in Jeremy Shockey (Giants) indicates they are looking for a marquee tight end. <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Davis</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> is physically gifted and was very productive in his senior year with three games over 110 yards while leading the Trojans in receiving overall following the departures of Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett. They get another Trojan on the offense that already features Reggie Bush.

[SIZE=-1]78) <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>New Orleans</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>– DT Ahtyba Rubin (<ST1:PLACE><ST1:PLACENAME>Iowa</ST1:PLACENAME><ST1:PLACETYPE>State</ST1:PLACETYPE></ST1:PLACE>) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]After retaining Aaron Stecker and trading away their fourth round pick I no longer believe they can afford to take a shot at the talented crop of running backs for when he and Deuce McAllister run out of gas. The acquisition of Jonathan Vilma (Jets) and retention of Mark Simoneau solve their need for a middle linebacker. They still need to toughen up the middle of their defensive line. Even if Brian Young was also retained he’ll turn 31 in July. Rubin’s stock has jumped since he did 35 reps of 225 on the bench press at the combine where he joined Sedrick Ellis (USC) as one of only two players given the “nose tackle” classification. He’ll be a run stuffer in the 4-3 too. Suddenly their defense could be making some strides.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P>138) New Orleans – K Brandon Coutu (Georgia)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Olindo Mare is out and Martin Gramatica is in, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add a kicker for competition. Gramatica will turn 33 during the season, not that old for a kicker. The bigger problem is that he has attempted only 14 field goals over the last three seasons. He also is less accurate indoors (73.8%) then outdoors (78.1%) for his career and hasn’t been a legitimate threat from 50+ since 2002. Coutu can hit from long range. </O:P>[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]<O:P>166) New Orleans – C Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Jeff Faine struck it rich in Tampa Bay so while Jamar Nesbit and Jonathan Goodwin are back they need another interior lineman. </O:P>[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]<O:P>198) <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>New Orleans</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> – QB Sam Keller (<ST1:STATE><ST1:PLACE>Nebraska</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE>)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Jamie Martin isn’t seriously the backup for Drew Brees, is he? At 38 I’m pretty sure they will be looking at some alternatives. Keller is a little like Brees in that he plays with guts. </O:P>[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]<O:P>http://thefootballexpert.com/coxmockdraft.html</O:P>[/SIZE]