- Moderator
- #1
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1997
- Messages
- 13,740
- Reaction score
- 17,549
- Age
- 58
Offline
As the draft approaches, I think that there is a strong possibility of the saints to trade down.
My reasoning: I wish I could be as optimistic as RealChrism that either Dorsey and Ellis will fall, but I think we will see Dorsey twice a year (as a falcon) and can't see the bengals passing on Ellis, even for a good pass rusher not named Long or Gholston.
Teams picking at 12, 13, 14,15 and 16 may all be thinking about taking a running back. Denver has many needs and don't take running backs early, but frankly, since Portis left they had good seasons from their runners but they haven't been dominating, Carolina has a good young runner in DeAngelo Williams, but can he be an every down back? Based on type of play and physical attributes, I have my questions. And in Chicago, Cedrick Benson has been such a dissapointment that chances are they will take one even with bigger needs in the quaterback position, offensive line and receivers. The Cards may start to look for a replacement for James and Detroit can't rely on Tatum Bell.
More or less, you can make the same analysis with offensive tackles. We may be lucky that teams between 12 and 16 have all the same needs.
If a team picking on the 20's is fixed in one runner and offensive tackle is fixed on a player, the ideal spot to trade is at 11 with the bills, but better not risk and try to trade a little higher. In this case, I think the bengals may not be willing to trade down, but I see the saints and bills willing.
Even if McFadden is taken early, I can see a big market for Mendenhall (even from Dallas), this is a good year from runners but now that Jonathan Stewart had surgery last week, I think there is a big drop in the quality after Mendenhall.
By the time the saint pick, one offensive tackle will be taken, maybe two, and two more will be gone before the last third of the round. Once again the saints position may be attractive.
Now what's for the saints? the tackles will be gone, linebacker may not be a huge need now, and Rivers will be taken by them only if they think he is the best player to take. There are good defensive tackles but their value are at the bottom of the first round. And what about the corners? We can't see the saints board but chances are there will be no huge difference between the first and sixth player taken. I think McKelvin, DRC, Jenkins, Smith, Cason, Flowers are all good players and will have an impact if drafted by the saints.
Even if McFadden is taken, I can see the cowboys trying to trade up for Mendenhall, specially if they can grab Pacman Jones. Jerry Jones may think this is their time to make a run because of the age of his receivers.
Pittsburgh is normally conservative in the draft but they are not afraid to move up for the right player, as they did with Polamalu. Atlanta and Baltimore and Kansas City may be trying to jump back to the first round to get the second quarterback if they pass on Ryan. In minor movements, Detroit and Arizona may want to move up to jump Denver, Carolina and Chicago since they have the same needs.
There is great value between the 20 and the 50th picks. The saints may get two great players if they pick in the current slots, but if they have a chance to pick 3 players in the top 50, I think they may prefer to do it.
My reasoning: I wish I could be as optimistic as RealChrism that either Dorsey and Ellis will fall, but I think we will see Dorsey twice a year (as a falcon) and can't see the bengals passing on Ellis, even for a good pass rusher not named Long or Gholston.
Teams picking at 12, 13, 14,15 and 16 may all be thinking about taking a running back. Denver has many needs and don't take running backs early, but frankly, since Portis left they had good seasons from their runners but they haven't been dominating, Carolina has a good young runner in DeAngelo Williams, but can he be an every down back? Based on type of play and physical attributes, I have my questions. And in Chicago, Cedrick Benson has been such a dissapointment that chances are they will take one even with bigger needs in the quaterback position, offensive line and receivers. The Cards may start to look for a replacement for James and Detroit can't rely on Tatum Bell.
More or less, you can make the same analysis with offensive tackles. We may be lucky that teams between 12 and 16 have all the same needs.
If a team picking on the 20's is fixed in one runner and offensive tackle is fixed on a player, the ideal spot to trade is at 11 with the bills, but better not risk and try to trade a little higher. In this case, I think the bengals may not be willing to trade down, but I see the saints and bills willing.
Even if McFadden is taken early, I can see a big market for Mendenhall (even from Dallas), this is a good year from runners but now that Jonathan Stewart had surgery last week, I think there is a big drop in the quality after Mendenhall.
By the time the saint pick, one offensive tackle will be taken, maybe two, and two more will be gone before the last third of the round. Once again the saints position may be attractive.
Now what's for the saints? the tackles will be gone, linebacker may not be a huge need now, and Rivers will be taken by them only if they think he is the best player to take. There are good defensive tackles but their value are at the bottom of the first round. And what about the corners? We can't see the saints board but chances are there will be no huge difference between the first and sixth player taken. I think McKelvin, DRC, Jenkins, Smith, Cason, Flowers are all good players and will have an impact if drafted by the saints.
Even if McFadden is taken, I can see the cowboys trying to trade up for Mendenhall, specially if they can grab Pacman Jones. Jerry Jones may think this is their time to make a run because of the age of his receivers.
Pittsburgh is normally conservative in the draft but they are not afraid to move up for the right player, as they did with Polamalu. Atlanta and Baltimore and Kansas City may be trying to jump back to the first round to get the second quarterback if they pass on Ryan. In minor movements, Detroit and Arizona may want to move up to jump Denver, Carolina and Chicago since they have the same needs.
There is great value between the 20 and the 50th picks. The saints may get two great players if they pick in the current slots, but if they have a chance to pick 3 players in the top 50, I think they may prefer to do it.