Fleur de Lies
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I've seen a lot of other posters here on SR and elsewhere typing up their mock drafts for our team and often doing an excellent job. So I've decided to chime in with my own mock for how I hope our 2013 draft turns out. One difference from how I've done this mock compared to others is that it's a draft board for the Saints, featuring multiple selection options per round to account for the unpredictable nature of the thing.
Before I get to the mock itself, I'll describe the scenario the Saints are drafting in:
-Spagnuolo is retained as Defensive Coordinator, and handles the primary scouting and individual coaching responsibilities for defensive personnel. Joe Vitt is promoted strictly to the Assistant Head Coach spot, with Jim Leavitt from the 49ers coming over to become the Linebackers Coach.
-Players not retained or resigned include Jermon Bushrod, Will Smith, Sedrick Ellis, Roman Harper, Will Herring, Devery Henderson, Turk McBride, Chase Daniel, and Scott Shanle.
-Players with restructured contracts include Jonathan Vilma, Jahri Evans, and Jabari Greer. The franchise tag is not used.
-Chris Ivory is traded to the Detroit Lions for their Sixth Round Draft Pick.
-Malcolm Jenkins is moved to Nickel Cornerback and David Hawthorne is moved to WILL Linebacker while Jonathan Vilma is moved to SAM Linebacker.
-The only free agent signed by the Saints is Jake Long.
That done, let's start with the actual mock draft board. Our needs are, in order, as such: RDE, SS/FS, CB, K, QB, DT, C.
First Round
1. Alex Okafer, DE Texas. Okafer is the most complete of this trio, but can be inconsistent and has been manhandled by larger opponents. He has the distinction of making a splash play (forced fumble, sack for a loss, etc) in every game he was in for the Longhorns in 2012.
2. Ezekiel Ansah, DE BYU. Ziggy may be a safer pick than Jordan, especially considering the latter's injury. That said, he is inexperienced and isn't a great run-stopper. He could go before our pick, but that's every player.
3. Dion Jordan, DE Oregon. Even with the labrum injury he's worth our first pick if the other two options are taken. Get the guy in the weight room and have Spags coach him up, and we could see great things from this young man.
Third Round
1. Bacarri Rambo, FS Geogria. Besides having the best name in the draft, Rambo is a proven ballhawk and hard-hitter with First Round talent, but has had disciplinary problems that have hurt his stock and earned him a four-game suspension in 2012. I think surrounding him with high character guys like our team has a bounty of will iron out that issue.
2. Shawn Williams, SS Georgia. Rambo's teammate at Georgia is not as much of a force in the passing game as he is, but is rangier and more versatile. He has great tackling technique (leading the team) but was transparent on the big stage against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
3. T.J. McDonald, FS USC. A big, tough free safety, McDonald led USC in tackles a year ago but saw his numbers plummet in 2012. He doesn't cover as well as his teammates and doesn't have the speed of other safeties, but he tackles well and has a nose for the ball. He carries the danger of coming from USC, and could easily be drafted before our time if he has a good combine.
Fourth Round
1. Sanders Commings, CB Georgia. At 6'2", 216 pounds, and running a 4.4 40-yard time, Commings can be that big physical corner that the Saints have been wanting. He didn't shy away from the spotlight in the 2012 SEC Championship game, coming down with an endzone interception. His tackling technique leaves something to be desired, but there's not a receiver he can't keep up and go up with.
2. Rod Sweeting, CB Georgia Tech. Sweeting is slightly smaller and slower than Commings, but is still a good defensive back in his own right. For a mid-round selection he has the potential to be a difference-maker in the secondary, especially if paired with another young corner in Corey White or Patrick Robinson.
3. Tyrann Mathieu, CB/S LSU. The Honey Badger has fallen on hard times, getting dismissed from LSU and entering rehab earlier in 2011. He's gotten better now and is entering the draft, but hasn't played football in some time and remains undersized. He'll do best as a slot corner and punt returner, and has great playmaking ability. His character will get tested after entering the NFL, but joining a team filled with positive-thinking guys like the Saints could bode well for him.
I'll do the last three rounds later, have to meet with family now. Feel free to discuss away, I'd love to hear what others think.
Before I get to the mock itself, I'll describe the scenario the Saints are drafting in:
-Spagnuolo is retained as Defensive Coordinator, and handles the primary scouting and individual coaching responsibilities for defensive personnel. Joe Vitt is promoted strictly to the Assistant Head Coach spot, with Jim Leavitt from the 49ers coming over to become the Linebackers Coach.
-Players not retained or resigned include Jermon Bushrod, Will Smith, Sedrick Ellis, Roman Harper, Will Herring, Devery Henderson, Turk McBride, Chase Daniel, and Scott Shanle.
-Players with restructured contracts include Jonathan Vilma, Jahri Evans, and Jabari Greer. The franchise tag is not used.
-Chris Ivory is traded to the Detroit Lions for their Sixth Round Draft Pick.
-Malcolm Jenkins is moved to Nickel Cornerback and David Hawthorne is moved to WILL Linebacker while Jonathan Vilma is moved to SAM Linebacker.
-The only free agent signed by the Saints is Jake Long.
That done, let's start with the actual mock draft board. Our needs are, in order, as such: RDE, SS/FS, CB, K, QB, DT, C.
First Round
1. Alex Okafer, DE Texas. Okafer is the most complete of this trio, but can be inconsistent and has been manhandled by larger opponents. He has the distinction of making a splash play (forced fumble, sack for a loss, etc) in every game he was in for the Longhorns in 2012.
2. Ezekiel Ansah, DE BYU. Ziggy may be a safer pick than Jordan, especially considering the latter's injury. That said, he is inexperienced and isn't a great run-stopper. He could go before our pick, but that's every player.
3. Dion Jordan, DE Oregon. Even with the labrum injury he's worth our first pick if the other two options are taken. Get the guy in the weight room and have Spags coach him up, and we could see great things from this young man.
Third Round
1. Bacarri Rambo, FS Geogria. Besides having the best name in the draft, Rambo is a proven ballhawk and hard-hitter with First Round talent, but has had disciplinary problems that have hurt his stock and earned him a four-game suspension in 2012. I think surrounding him with high character guys like our team has a bounty of will iron out that issue.
2. Shawn Williams, SS Georgia. Rambo's teammate at Georgia is not as much of a force in the passing game as he is, but is rangier and more versatile. He has great tackling technique (leading the team) but was transparent on the big stage against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
3. T.J. McDonald, FS USC. A big, tough free safety, McDonald led USC in tackles a year ago but saw his numbers plummet in 2012. He doesn't cover as well as his teammates and doesn't have the speed of other safeties, but he tackles well and has a nose for the ball. He carries the danger of coming from USC, and could easily be drafted before our time if he has a good combine.
Fourth Round
1. Sanders Commings, CB Georgia. At 6'2", 216 pounds, and running a 4.4 40-yard time, Commings can be that big physical corner that the Saints have been wanting. He didn't shy away from the spotlight in the 2012 SEC Championship game, coming down with an endzone interception. His tackling technique leaves something to be desired, but there's not a receiver he can't keep up and go up with.
2. Rod Sweeting, CB Georgia Tech. Sweeting is slightly smaller and slower than Commings, but is still a good defensive back in his own right. For a mid-round selection he has the potential to be a difference-maker in the secondary, especially if paired with another young corner in Corey White or Patrick Robinson.
3. Tyrann Mathieu, CB/S LSU. The Honey Badger has fallen on hard times, getting dismissed from LSU and entering rehab earlier in 2011. He's gotten better now and is entering the draft, but hasn't played football in some time and remains undersized. He'll do best as a slot corner and punt returner, and has great playmaking ability. His character will get tested after entering the NFL, but joining a team filled with positive-thinking guys like the Saints could bode well for him.
I'll do the last three rounds later, have to meet with family now. Feel free to discuss away, I'd love to hear what others think.