Jaxson Dart met with Saints before Pro Day ; Saints work out Kyle McCord & Hunter Dekker

SweetT said
I see your point, but at what point are we possibly going to “force” this pick? Let’s be honest, no one had Dart as a 1st rd pick, a top 10 at that, during the season. What I see is, we really like this guy, but feel like he would never make it past the Giants or Browns in rd 2, so we would either have to take him at #9 (which is forcing), or (and this is what I would do), is make a trade back into the 1st, with the Eagles at pick #32. CKM obviously just came over from there, so there should be great dialogue, and they love to trade with us, and their team is already stacked, with the possibility of adding more draft capital to keep their train moving. Plus, we could stick it to Cleveland/NY, and still have Dart on that 1st rd rookie contract. There are a lot of things to like about Dart, but there are also some things to not like about him.

I think because QB is the most important position, that teams have to allow a little more leeway in how they draft one. I think grade and draft position matter, but with some allowance for bending more if necessary.

It wouldn't make sense for a team with the #1 overall to take a QB graded much later in the 1st round, because that pick has so much value which brings with it more flexibility in trading back and still getting your player.

After the first five picks or so, subjectivity starts to go up with each subsequent selection. If a team has a first round grade on a QB and they aren't sure they can get him later, it can make sense to take a chance. Trades, especially as pick value declines, become more unpredictable. It's great to say the Saints could just trade back into the first, but it takes a willing partner to make that happen. If you like a QB enough, you're then gambling on the decision-making of another team whether you get him.

All of that, of course, requires that the team thinks highly enough about the player and his potential to develop into a quality starter. Hopefully with the amount of NFL QB experience we have on staff, they can make a sound determination if it's worth it or better to play their hand differently.

I'm not completely sold on Dart, either. I like his physical skillset but have some other reservations. If the team goes through their process and they feel good about the pick at #9, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. As much as I'd prefer Ward, all things considered, that's going to be an expensive deal for a team that would benefit from beefing up the roster over the next 2-3 drafts in the top rounds.