With the 9th Pick in the 2025 draft, who should the Saints select? (merged)

St. Widge said
That's fair. I don't doubt that he has breakaway speed but that's really of limited value as an NFL RB since it's difficult to get an opportunity to use breakaway speed as a RB in the NFL. I think for NFL RBs quickness, contact balance, and power are more important. Jeanty clearly has power, but I'm not sure his quickness and contact balance is at an elite level. It think he's going to be a very good player, but I'm not sure he's going to be an elite player and I would rather trade down for more picks and take a RB later that might not be as good as Jeanty but would have better value than Jeanty at #10.

While I agree that breakaway speed isn't the most important trait for a RB, that wasn't what was being discussed. The other poster claimed Jeanty didn't have breakaway speed. I showed quite a bit of evidence proving otherwise. Generally speaking though, I do agree that burst, vision, contact balance, and quickness are some of the most important traits in a RB. Jeanty has every trait a person would want in an RB including pass catching versatility as well. He should be an elite RB in the NFL. However, I'm not sure the Saints need to go that direction at #10 either. Helps there are some other really talented RB's in this draft that should be really good options (even if they aren't Jeanty caliber).

St. Widge said
Of course, if you think Jeanty is going to be an elite NFL RB in the mold of Faulk, Sanders, LT, etc. you would want to take him at #10 and would be right to do so. I just don't think he's at that level and would, therefore, prefer to trade down than take him if he is BPA.

I just don't think that's a fair comparison. I don't think Tetairoa Mcmillan is Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Calvin Johnson, etc., but I'd be thrilled to have him as he's probably my at the top of my wishlist at pick 10. Whatever position we draft at #10, we won't be getting a player of that caliber as they are incredibly few and far between. Getting a high quality starter at pick 10 is the most important thing regardless of position.

St. Widge said
If you have a complete team the way the Lions were two years ago, maybe Jeanty is the final piece, but he's not the final piece for this team and there should be more value elsewhere.

This I agree with. However, if we do draft Jeanty, I will be far from disappointed as we will have added a top tier talent despite it maybe not being at a position we needed currently.