I personally wanted the Saints to draft Marcus Trufant. I thought it was obvious they were going to take Trufant when they got on the clock. I would have settled for any player besides the one they picked. But that's what happens when people are blinded by perceived temporary needs. In hindsight, that "need" at DL was low in comparison to having an actual contributing player on defense at any position.
It's poor talent evaluation because they ignored better players to reach for need. Try this scenario.
Knowing what you know, if the following players were available in the 3rd round this year when the Saints were on the clock, who would you pick? How would you rank them for the Saints to pick? And yes, the idea is that you know what the first 8 seasons of these players' careers will look like. Using this info, who would you pick first for the Saints today, in 2025, out of this cloud of players that were similarly ranked by teams in 2017? And again yes, you would be adding a fresh out of college Kamara to a back field that includes 8 year veteran Kamara if that's your choice.
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado, position rank #14 (according to ESPN)
Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee, position rank #4
Dewayne Smoot, DE, Illinois, position rank #9
Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington, position rank #7
Pat Elflien, Center, OSU, position rank #1
Dan Freeney, OG, Indiana, position rank #3