Mel Kiper/Todd McShay's First Round Projection for the Saints... (1 Viewer)

[Le_Moyne]

I don't see how Jerry Hughes is available at 32. There are too many 3-4 defenses that need edge rushers. I don't see how he gets past all of New England, Green Bay, Baltimore, Arizona and NY Jets.

I agree, for the same reasons I think Spoon will fall.

 

[Nevimeister]

I agree, for the same reasons I think Spoon will fall.

Agreed. Unless NY Giants take him at 15 I think he could take a tumble similar to DeMeco Ryans, Laurinaitis and Maualuga

Larry English was over drafted last year going 16th. Jerry Hughes is more talented in my opinion

 

[60minutes]

I don't see how Jerry Hughes is available at 32. There are too many 3-4 defenses that need edge rushers. I don't see how he gets past all of New England, Green Bay, Baltimore, Arizona and NY Jets.

Because only 31 players can go before #32.

Not saying that Hughes will definitely be there at #32, but there are a number of highly rated players. Let's assume the following players could possibly go in the first round:

QBs: Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow
RBs: CJ Spiller, Ryan Matthews
TEs: Jermaine Gresham
OC/OGs: Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Iupati
OTs: Russell Okung, Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga, Bruce Campbell, Charles Brown
WRs: Dez Bryant, DeMaryius Thomas
DEs: Brandon Graham, Derrick Morgan, Jason Paul-Pierre, Everson Griffen, Carlos Dunlap
DTs: Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Dan Williams, Jared Odrick
LBs: Sergio Kindle, Sean Weatherspoon, Rolando McClain
CBs: Joe Haden, Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson
F/SSs: Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, Taylor Mays

That's 34 possible first rounders not including Jerry Hughes. That list also does not include players like Jahvid Best, Golden Tate, Colt McCoy, Brian Price, Linvall Joseph (who is moving up on a lot of boards), and a few other players. Then there's always that surprise pick where a guy like Corey Wootton could go much higher than previously thought because of his ability to play the five technique. It stands to reason that the 3-4 teams drafting all do not have OLB as their top need. For instance, while Green Bay could certainly take an OLB, they also have needs on the OL and in the secondary, particularly at CB. The Patriots could use a OLB, but they also have need for a five-technique. The Jets are also in dire need of a guy who can play the five-technique, which might make Joseph and/or Wootton go in the first round. Baltimore also has needs at CB, WR, TE and five-tech DE to replace Trevor Pryce. The Cards have bigger issues at OT than at OLB, and could also be in the market for some secondary help. Again, there are a lot of things that factor into it.

When you look at the second round, and you see guys like Koa Misi, Ricky Sapp, etc, then teams will naturally weigh the value of picking a certain guy high when they could possibly come back in round 2 to address the position. Thus, a team like Green Bay may opt for Mike Iupati in round 1 and Misi in round 2, feeling that the value is more there than to take Hughes in round 1 and, say, Asomoah at guard in round 2.

Like I said, sometimes you can definitely say that a certain player won't be there. Bradford, Suh, McCoy, Berry, and Williams, for instance, won't be there. But in a draft where you have close to 45 players legitimately carrying first round grades, anything can happen. And while Hughes is an outstanding player, and a guy I would love to have on this team, it is not difficult to reason how he could fall given that this draft is full of guys who normally would not or should not be there. Again, only 31 players can go before pick #32.

 

[Lucketty]

And there <b>WILL</b> be people who go earlier and later than they have been slotted to go by the mock drafts. There are every year and this year is no exception.

 

[60minutes]

Larry English was over drafted last year going 16th. Jerry Hughes is more talented in my opinion

Problem with this argument is that each draft is different. Larry English was also not competing against Morgan, Paul-Pierre, Griffen, Graham, and Kindle as Hughes is doing. Once you got past Orakpo and Maybin, English became the next logical choice as a guy who could play that 3-4 OLB position. That's three guys, and some might have tried to throw Everette Brown into that mix but it was not the same. Plus, he went in the second. You have guys like Misi and Sapp who will also find themselves going into the second this year. So, you have more players this year offering the ability to play that hybrid role than you did last season.

 

[goboilers]

who is the guy of the two who is better at covering TEs and RBs?
I want that guy.

 

[goboilers]

Because only 31 players can go before #32.

Not saying that Hughes will definitely be there at #32, but there are a number of highly rated players. Let's assume the following players could possibly go in the first round:

QBs: Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow
RBs: CJ Spiller, Ryan Matthews
TEs: Jermaine Gresham
OC/OGs: Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Iupati
OTs: Russell Okung, Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga, Bruce Campbell, Charles Brown
WRs: Dez Bryant, DeMaryius Thomas
DEs: Brandon Graham, Derrick Morgan, Jason Paul-Pierre, Everson Griffen, Carlos Dunlap
DTs: Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Dan Williams, Jared Odrick
LBs: Sergio Kindle, Sean Weatherspoon, Rolando McClain
CBs: Joe Haden, Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson
F/SSs: Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, Taylor Mays

That's 34 possible first rounders not including Jerry Hughes. That list also does not include players like Jahvid Best, Golden Tate, Colt McCoy, Brian Price, Linvall Joseph (who is moving up on a lot of boards), and a few other players. Then there's always that surprise pick where a guy like Corey Wootton could go much higher than previously thought because of his ability to play the five technique. It stands to reason that the 3-4 teams drafting all do not have OLB as their top need. For instance, while Green Bay could certainly take an OLB, they also have needs on the OL and in the secondary, particularly at CB. The Patriots could use a OLB, but they also have need for a five-technique. The Jets are also in dire need of a guy who can play the five-technique, which might make Joseph and/or Wootton go in the first round. Baltimore also has needs at CB, WR, TE and five-tech DE to replace Trevor Pryce. The Cards have bigger issues at OT than at OLB, and could also be in the market for some secondary help. Again, there are a lot of things that factor into it.

When you look at the second round, and you see guys like Koa Misi, Ricky Sapp, etc, then teams will naturally weigh the value of picking a certain guy high when they could possibly come back in round 2 to address the position. Thus, a team like Green Bay may opt for Mike Iupati in round 1 and Misi in round 2, feeling that the value is more there than to take Hughes in round 1 and, say, Asomoah at guard in round 2.

Like I said, sometimes you can definitely say that a certain player won't be there. Bradford, Suh, McCoy, Berry, and Williams, for instance, won't be there. But in a draft where you have close to 45 players legitimately carrying first round grades, anything can happen. And while Hughes is an outstanding player, and a guy I would love to have on this team, it is not difficult to reason how he could fall given that this draft is full of guys who normally would not or should not be there. Again, only 31 players can go before pick #32.

There are literally 50 guys who I have heard cant fall to the 2nd round. Of all the yrs this is the best year to be selecting 32nd

 

[saint_drago]

I don't see how Jerry Hughes is available at 32. There are too many 3-4 defenses that need edge rushers. I don't see how he gets past all of New England, Green Bay, Baltimore, Arizona and NY Jets.

I agree. I'm watching NFL Live and both McShay and Kiper just said that the Jets should take Hughes at #29. If the guy is as good as we all think then there is no way he falls to 32.

 

[ryder004]

did jerry hughes really lead the nation in sacks?? wow i didnt know that at all.

i really want my team to get him to with their 2nd round pick.

btw: can someone tell me why he is like the 5th ranked DE?

 

[fr3sh]

I would be happy with either pick. Jerry Hughes gives us an insane rotation on the defensive line. However, I think Weatherspoon would be our ideal pick. He would most likely be BPA (2nd or 3rd best LB in the draft) and he would fill a pretty large need.

 

[bgizle]

I agree. I'm watching NFL Live and both McShay and Kiper just said that the Jets should take Hughes at #29. If the guy is as good as we all think then there is no way he falls to 32.

Is it still possible the Jets sign Taylor. Think they'd still draft an OLB in the first then?

 

[StJacques]

just can't see 'Spoon falling to 32... would LOVE to see it no question... I just can't see it happenin'.

Ditto Saint Droopy. Like you, I would love to have a crack at Weatherspoon, who really brings the kind of drive, smarts, and personal character--along with outstanding athletic ability--I would love to have at OLB, even though he is projected as a perfect fit for the weakside, where we have Scott Shanle right now.

And I also really like Jerry Hughes, who at 255 lbs. would have to be considered an OLB for us. What I wonder about with guys like that is the problem of making the adjustment to what will essentially be a transition to a new position while playing at a higher level. That means a least a small "project," no matter how you slice it, and I am a little uncomfortable risking a first round pick on any kind of project player. But I repeat, I do like Hughes just the same. He is a pass rush specialist, which will make him a fit on passing downs if nothing else, and the personal character marks seem to say high-octane motor, which I really really like in a first round pick, or anywhere else for that matter.. For me, it's essentially a "value issue" with drafting Hughes at No. 32.

I'm also wondering about Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas. I'm puzzled as to why he has not been projected very highly in many mock drafts until recently, and I wonder what NFL.com refers to when they say he had some "off the field" issues earlier in his career. As an athletic strong-side pass rushing specialist he seems to be exactly what we need, but I'm trying to get more info on him right now. And he may be gone anyway at No. 32, which might just make my search a moot point.

This will be a very interesting draft for us. They always are, but we were never a Super Bowl champion before.

 

[Mary Mack]

Hughes by a longshot. I see Weatherspoon as a pure WLB. We have Arnoux and Casillas battling for those spots. I think Hughes will be able to play a hybrid SAM/DE role in the NFL.

 

[Mary Mack]

Ditto Saint Droopy. Like you, I would love to have a crack at Weatherspoon, who really brings the kind of drive, smarts, and personal character--along with outstanding athletic ability--I would love to have at OLB, even though he is projected as a perfect fit for the weakside, where we have Scott Shanle right now.

And I also really like Jerry Hughes, who at 255 lbs. would have to be considered an OLB for us. What I wonder about with guys like that is the problem of making the adjustment to what will essentially be a transition to a new position while playing at a higher level. That means a least a small "project," no matter how you slice it, and I am a little uncomfortable risking a first round pick on any kind of project player. But I repeat, I do like Hughes just the same. He is a pass rush specialist, which will make him a fit on passing downs if nothing else, and the personal character marks seem to say high-octane motor, which I really really like in a first round pick, or anywhere else for that matter.. For me, it's essentially a "value issue" with drafting Hughes at No. 32.

I'm also wondering about Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas. I'm puzzled as to why he has not been projected very highly in many mock drafts until recently, and I wonder what NFL.com refers to when they say he had some "off the field" issues earlier in his career. As an athletic strong-side pass rushing specialist he seems to be exactly what we need, but I'm trying to get more info on him right now. And he may be gone anyway at No. 32, which might just make my search a moot point.

This will be a very interesting draft for us. They always are, but we were never a Super Bowl champion before.

I think Thaddeus Gibson is a better prospect than Kindle. High motor, NO off the field issues, just plays and plays hard.

 

[willkro]

I don't think Weatherspoon will be there at 32.