Alontae Taylor and the importance of scouting (2 Viewers)

[St.Dan]

I just wanted to post real quick regarding this pick and offer a little perspective as a lot of people run around with their hair on fire.

In my last article, I made a point of saying that I see mock drafts as kind of pointless because we aren't in the war room (I still am not calling what I did a mock draft ). But when I was considering what I think the Saints should do in round 2, before slotting in Jalen Pitre, I actually went and looked at a few scouting reports to try and ID a CB prospect who was 1) a freak athlete and 2) had S potential. The only one I kind of landed on who I was familiar with was Kyler Gordon, but I don't think he has the football IQ/instincts to make the move.

But I really felt like, if this type of player was there--a versatile CB with all the tools to move to safety (and more athleticism than Pitre and the other S candidates available)--that was the direction the Saints would go. Pitre was the closest fit in terms of fitting that poor man's Honey Badger/CJGJ mold, where he can play on top of the tree, in the box, or in that slot role.

The Saints, however, seem to have found the guy I couldn't in Alontae Taylor. I've only scanned a little bit of film on him and the athleticism and football instincts are ABSOLUTELY there. As a CB, he is a little raw/inconsistent in his technique, but he's over 6 feet, runs a 4.3, has very loose hips (something the other S prospects including Pitre lacked), is very aggressive (both on the ball and in the run game) and plays with instinct!

Dennis Allen (who I will absolutely give the benefit of the doubt on drafting DBs, given his track record these last few years) and his staff seem to have a vision for Taylor, either in that slot role of CJGJ (which would mean moving CJGJ to a more traditional SS role) or as a more traditional safety. Either way, the hsyteria over this pick is a little unwarranted, because when you watch film on this guy you love him. Yes, he may not stack up with some of the other CBs in terms of being ready to hit the field day 1 b/c he gets high is backpedal and stuff like that... but the dude covers the field, plays the run and the ball like an NFL player.

I don't know if he'll be a starter right out the gate, but he'll definitely be hitting the field somewhere. Honestly, I love this pick, and THIS is exactly why scouts get paid. They have a vision for a guy every fan under the sun overlooked (including myself). It is literally their job to do more than the draft pundits and find guys like this.

If drafting Olave and Penning was an A+, I would give this pick a solid A/A-.

Many, many thanks for posting that analysis! From one Dan to another, i tip my cap

Speaking for the fans, we just hope he’s not another SJB. Many of us remember who that was. DA wasn’t in the staff that year, so let’s hope this sleeper is a keeper ;-)

 

[Reggie09MVP]

Sure, dude. Let's run this guy off. What a bum! Sheesh.

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

 

[WhoDat_SB44]

Great stuff! I kind of wanted a more traditional safety, but they may want Ceedy to move to safety to get him on the field even more. I’m not against that for a second.

Hopefully we still bring in Tyrann to bolster are safety options even more, so Ceedy can stay at his position. We got two players for Taylor to learn from in Ceedy & PJ, especially PJ since he has successfully made the move to safety.

So hopefully we will have the versatility to have 3 guys that can play both safety & slot corner.

 

[sfidc3]

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

I think he clearly said he was looking for this type of player but couldn’t find him but the Saints scouts did….not sure what in the world you are talking about…..

 

[WhoDat!5]

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

I thought TCUDan said that when doing his research he DID NOT take a look at him prior to his write up, but only after the pick. And said kudos to the staff for doing their research and due diligence on him. Maybe I just read it wrong?

 

[Saint Spud]

I don’t know, why didn’t you mention this in your non mock draft then. If you thought they should do this. Seems a bit self serving, to say now.
The saints obviously have drafted for need.
Given their recent successes identifying secondary players I’m optimistic this pick will pan out. I’d still like Honey Badger.
Bad night for the arm GMs who bragged about the QBs.

Because he probably didn’t have time to watch film on 350 prospects because, I dunno, he has a life and this isn’t his job?

 

[Swampy Saint]

Because he probably didn’t have time to watch film on 350 prospects because, I dunno, he has a life and this isn’t his job?

I’m pretty sure Dan expects some negative feedback from some people about his opinion.
He’ll answer this dude like the professional he is, as usual.

 

[ndcc]

I just wanted to post real quick regarding this pick and offer a little perspective as a lot of people run around with their hair on fire.

In my last article, I made a point of saying that I see mock drafts as kind of pointless because we aren't in the war room (I still am not calling what I did a mock draft ). But when I was considering what I think the Saints should do in round 2, before slotting in Jalen Pitre, I actually went and looked at a few scouting reports to try and ID a CB prospect who was 1) a freak athlete and 2) had S potential. The only one I kind of landed on who I was familiar with was Kyler Gordon, but I don't think he has the football IQ/instincts to make the move.

But I really felt like, if this type of player was there--a versatile CB with all the tools to move to safety (and more athleticism than Pitre and the other S candidates available)--that was the direction the Saints would go. Pitre was the closest fit in terms of fitting that poor man's Honey Badger/CJGJ mold, where he can play on top of the tree, in the box, or in that slot role.

The Saints, however, seem to have found the guy I couldn't in Alontae Taylor. I've only scanned a little bit of film on him and the athleticism and football instincts are ABSOLUTELY there. As a CB, he is a little raw/inconsistent in his technique, but he's over 6 feet, runs a 4.3, has very loose hips (something the other S prospects including Pitre lacked), is very aggressive (both on the ball and in the run game) and plays with instinct!

Dennis Allen (who I will absolutely give the benefit of the doubt on drafting DBs, given his track record these last few years) and his staff seem to have a vision for Taylor, either in that slot role of CJGJ (which would mean moving CJGJ to a more traditional SS role) or as a more traditional safety. Either way, the hsyteria over this pick is a little unwarranted, because when you watch film on this guy you love him. Yes, he may not stack up with some of the other CBs in terms of being ready to hit the field day 1 b/c he gets high is backpedal and stuff like that... but the dude covers the field, plays the run and the ball like an NFL player.

I don't know if he'll be a starter right out the gate, but he'll definitely be hitting the field somewhere. Honestly, I love this pick, and THIS is exactly why scouts get paid. They have a vision for a guy every fan under the sun overlooked (including myself). It is literally their job to do more than the draft pundits and find guys like this.

If drafting Olave and Penning was an A+, I would give this pick a solid A/A-.

Captain Obvious gives TCU Dan’s post two thumbs up.

Dan went into much greater detail than any other source. Well done!

 

[Saint Spud]

I’m pretty sure Dan expects some negative feedback from some people about his opinion.
He’ll answer this dude like the professional he is, as usual.

Negative feedback is one thing. Calling someone’s write-up self-serving is quite another.

 

[Snakehead]

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

Go read the Utopia post BEFORE the draft that nailed the first TWO picks. He had a DB at pick 49 and gave the reason for it. After the draft he posted about the player picked and how that player fits what DA is doing.

 

[Swampy Saint]

Negative feedback is one thing. Calling someone’s write-up self-serving is quite another.

I agree.

 

[Patty Ice]

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

Jealousy doesn't suit you. Or do you clearly need the attention you claim he wants, negative or not?

 

[MLU]

I just wanted to post real quick regarding this pick and offer a little perspective as a lot of people run around with their hair on fire.

In my last article, I made a point of saying that I see mock drafts as kind of pointless because we aren't in the war room (I still am not calling what I did a mock draft ). But when I was considering what I think the Saints should do in round 2, before slotting in Jalen Pitre, I actually went and looked at a few scouting reports to try and ID a CB prospect who was 1) a freak athlete and 2) had S potential. The only one I kind of landed on who I was familiar with was Kyler Gordon, but I don't think he has the football IQ/instincts to make the move.

But I really felt like, if this type of player was there--a versatile CB with all the tools to move to safety (and more athleticism than Pitre and the other S candidates available)--that was the direction the Saints would go. Pitre was the closest fit in terms of fitting that poor man's Honey Badger/CJGJ mold, where he can play on top of the tree, in the box, or in that slot role.

The Saints, however, seem to have found the guy I couldn't in Alontae Taylor. I've only scanned a little bit of film on him and the athleticism and football instincts are ABSOLUTELY there. As a CB, he is a little raw/inconsistent in his technique, but he's over 6 feet, runs a 4.3, has very loose hips (something the other S prospects including Pitre lacked), is very aggressive (both on the ball and in the run game) and plays with instinct!

Dennis Allen (who I will absolutely give the benefit of the doubt on drafting DBs, given his track record these last few years) and his staff seem to have a vision for Taylor, either in that slot role of CJGJ (which would mean moving CJGJ to a more traditional SS role) or as a more traditional safety. Either way, the hsyteria over this pick is a little unwarranted, because when you watch film on this guy you love him. Yes, he may not stack up with some of the other CBs in terms of being ready to hit the field day 1 b/c he gets high is backpedal and stuff like that... but the dude covers the field, plays the run and the ball like an NFL player.

I don't know if he'll be a starter right out the gate, but he'll definitely be hitting the field somewhere. Honestly, I love this pick, and THIS is exactly why scouts get paid. They have a vision for a guy every fan under the sun overlooked (including myself). It is literally their job to do more than the draft pundits and find guys like this.

If drafting Olave and Penning was an A+, I would give this pick a solid A/A-.

I definitely love how agressive and physical he plays.

 

[DaveXA]

I’m just asking objectively why he didn’t write it until after the event if he thought it. Everyone getting butt hurt because they like his posts. He writes interesting stuff, but he clearly does it for the adoration. I thought thought it sounded a bit revisionist and self serving.
It sounded like ‘guys relax I didn’t tell anyone but I actually thought this was in play, so don’t worry’.
I have no problem with the pick itself.

This strikes me as petty. Give the guy some credit. He's an actual experienced head coach who knows what he's talking about.

 

[dtc]

You are not mistaken. I'm not sure why he was moved to Db. I'll do some more research and find out why. It goes
to show how athletic this young man is.

In his interview, he said the coaches told him he'd have a greater likelihood to get to the NFL as a CB than WR so he said he thanked them and moved where the told him to go.