Compiled a list of the last 10 Saints drafts by position (1 Viewer)

[SuperSaint]

This includes both the regular and supplemental draft for the last 10 seasons. I was prepared to blast the Saints for not prioritizing offensive line in the draft, but that's not really the case.

Linebacker -- 15
Secondary -- 15
Offensive line -- 12
Defensive line -- 10
Wide receiver -- 7
Running back -- 6
Quarterback -- 5
Tight end -- 2


The offensive linemen for the last 10 seasons --

Taliese Fuaga -- 2024
Josiah Ezirim -- 2024
Nick Saldiveri -- 2023
Trevor Penning -- 2022
Landon Young -- 2021
Cezar Ruis -- 2020
Erik Mccoy -- 2019
Rick Leonard -- 2018
Will Clapp -- 2018
Ryan Ramczyk -- 2017
Andrus Peat -- 2015
Tavon Rooks -- 2014

Poor drafting, too few selections, or just snakebit? I'll leave it up to you.

 

[triumph]

5 of those are 1st rounders. 1 Second.

I would think we should get better production from that draft capital spent. The late round flyers like Ezirim, L Young, Rooks, and Clapp are whatever. Clapp was a hit, Young at least sees the field. Getting a bit more from either Ruiz and Penning would really make it look better.

 

[SaintsMan209]

Penning seems to have figured it out.

 

[BreesusSaves]

The round players are drafted in is critical because the odds of drafting a successful player decrease exponentially per pick. Ireland was hired in January of 2015, so while 2015 wasn't fully his class, I'll still "credit" him with it since he was the head scout at the time of the draft. The first three rounds are considered "money" rounds where teams expect to get guys who will start or be consistent contributors. The fourth round is when teams are either throwing darts in the dark or focusing on special teams players. Just 30% of players drafted in the fourth round receive a second contract in the NFL, and that number gets MUCH worse as you get deeper.

Saints Draft Round 1-3 by Offense/Defense from 2015-present:
Defense: 18 picks.
Offense: 13 picks.

Saints Draft Round 4-7 by Offense/Defense from 2015-present:
Defense: 15 picks.
Offense: 16 picks.

The Saints have drafted 6 OL in the first 3 rounds since 2015. All 6 became opening day starters for the Saints. Now only Ram and McCoy are proven to be genuinely great players, but Fuaga looks like he could join them. Peat was average for a starter, Ruiz is a slow but steady improvement. Penning is improving and looks better each week.

 

[DSnfla]

The round players are drafted in is critical because the odds of drafting a successful player decrease exponentially per pick. Ireland was hired in January of 2015, so while 2015 wasn't fully his class, I'll still "credit" him with it since he was the head scout at the time of the draft. The first three rounds are considered "money" rounds where teams expect to get guys who will start or be consistent contributors. The fourth round is when teams are either throwing darts in the dark or focusing on special teams players. Just 30% of players drafted in the fourth round receive a second contract in the NFL, and that number gets MUCH worse as you get deeper.

Saints Draft Round 1-3 by Offense/Defense from 2015-present:
Defense: 18 picks.
Offense: 13 picks.

Saints Draft Round 4-7 by Offense/Defense from 2015-present:
Defense: 15 picks.
Offense: 16 picks.

The Saints have drafted 6 OL in the first 3 rounds since 2015. All 6 became opening day starters for the Saints. Now only Ram and McCoy are proven to be genuinely great players, but Fuaga looks like he could join them. Peat was average for a starter, Ruiz is a slow but steady improvement. Penning is improving and looks better each week.

Anything past the last 3-4 yrs really mean nothing. We have drafed 4 O linemen in the last 5 yrs in the 1st 3 rds . only 1 has made the pro bowl McCoy. Ruiz is mediocre at best. I'm the biggest Penning defender on here and he's getting better but at a snails pace and who knows what his ceiling will be. Fuaga looks to be promising but has had his struggles , you should rewatch his tape of the last few games. And just because they become starters says very little if they are starting on a below to average OL

 

[IceHot]

The Saints have drafted 6 OL in the first 3 rounds since 2015. All 6 became opening day starters for the Saints. Now only Ram and McCoy are proven to be genuinely great players, but Fuaga looks like he could join them. Peat was average for a starter, Ruiz is a slow but steady improvement. Penning is improving and looks better each week.

Im fine with the way we drafted.

However, you cant mark Ram as a genuinely great player because his injury status hasnt secured enough games played to justify a high ranking for the round he was selected in.

And in my opinion this only proves the point that this a poor way to grade the draft process.

 

[BreesusSaves]

Im fine with the way we drafted.

However, you cant mark Ram as a genuinely great player because his injury status hasnt secured enough games played to justify a high ranking for the round he was selected in.

And in my opinion this only proves the point that this a poor way to grade the draft process.

Ram was recognized as a rookie for his potential and then named to three straight AP All Pro teams. That is genuinely great.

 

[Elvis]

I'd say it's our scouting that is off or maybe our coaches ability to get these guys ready for the NFL. Too many misses or meh's on that list. McCoy is the only one that I'd call a hit at this point but I'm hopeful for Fuaga only 6 games in. I'd bet there aren't many hit's on the DL list either.

 

[IceHot]

Ram was recognized as a rookie for his potential and then named to three straight AP All Pro teams. That is genuinely great.

If not for the injuries he would be, but as it stands If that is all it is I would objectively call him genuinely good.

AT this point his career is essentially on the same trajectory as Leveon Bell. Is that a great career or just a good career?

But then again my definition of greatness may be higher than yours.