NFL Draft This is A Great Draft for the Saints - all 7 picks (1 Viewer)

[Hedon James]

Haener is a QB who does not throw INTs, this is what our Coach wants. So he is going to be backing up Carr pretty soon, as soon as next year. Jameis will be forever destined to be a backup, just like Teddy Bridgewater currently is.

I thought Haener sounded like an interesting pick, but I didn't know much about him, so I started looking him up. Fresno State....same as DC4....in fact, DC4 is his "mentor" and has been his mentor for awhile. Haener has been reaching out to DC4, as an alumnus and former QB for the Bulldogs, and has had a relationship with him for awhile. Whatever relationship they've had.....it's about to get a lot closer, and tighter! LOL!

I like Haener's stats & ratios....the yards, completion %, the TDs, the TD:INT ratio, a 3 year starter....are all in excess of what I personally like to see in a college QB. His best traits appear to be pre-snap awareness, reading defenses, completion %, and lack of turnovers. Sounds a lot like a certain Purdue QB coming into the NFL back in 2001, including the smaller stature and knocks on "average" arm strength. In fact, Haener has done film study with Drew Brees and cites DB9 as a QB he tries to emulate.

I know Haener is a rookie, but he stayed in school 1 extra season, despite pro eligibility; he's got an established relationship with DC4, who is also a Fresno St alumnus; he has extensively studied DB9 for QB traits; and is now playing for a team that can provide him unlimited access to BOTH. I predict his learning curve will be greatly accelerated, and with TH7 still on the roster, Haener will be the #2 QB THIS year. JW2 will either be a designated June 1 cut, or more likely, traded during TC. JMO...

 

[St4ever]

I thought Haener sounded like an interesting pick, but I didn't know much about him, so I started looking him up. Fresno State....same as DC4....in fact, DC4 is his "mentor" and has been his mentor for awhile. Haener has been reaching out to DC4, as an alumnus and former QB for the Bulldogs, and has had a relationship with him for awhile. Whatever relationship they've had.....it's about to get a lot closer, and tighter! LOL!

I like Haener's stats & ratios....the yards, completion %, the TDs, the TD:INT ratio, a 3 year starter....are all in excess of what I personally like to see in a college QB. His best traits appear to be pre-snap awareness, reading defenses, completion %, and lack of turnovers. Sounds a lot like a certain Purdue QB coming into the NFL back in 2001, including the smaller stature and knocks on "average" arm strength. In fact, Haener has done film study with Drew Brees and cites DB9 as a QB he tries to emulate.

I know Haener is a rookie, but he stayed in school 1 extra season, despite pro eligibility; he's got an established relationship with DC4, who is also a Fresno St alumnus; he has extensively studied DB9 for QB traits; and is now playing for a team that can provide him unlimited access to BOTH. I predict his learning curve will be greatly accelerated, and with TH7 still on the roster, Haener will be the #2 QB THIS year. JW2 will either be a designated June 1 cut, or more likely, traded during TC. JMO...

I think you may be correct about JW getting traded but I think it may be after the season starts when another team is looking for a starting QB. He would be worth a little more at that point and it will give Heener more time to be in our system.

 

[StudioSaint]

I think you may be correct about JW getting traded but I think it may be after the season starts when another team is looking for a starting QB. He would be worth a little more at that point and it will give Heener more time to be in our system.

I think that's something both the team and Winston have considered as an option when they agreed to his new contract.

It doesn't seem like any team was willing to guarantee Winston a starting role and the Saints needed all the cap savings it could get. I think the Saints and Winston could have an agreement that if at any point another team is willing to give Winston a starting role, then the Saints will either cut Winston or trade him for a reasonable price to that team.

 

[Cajun Mike]

To those who poo poo the draft picks. You don’t have the slightest clue how these guys will translate to the NFL. Give it a couple of years then come back !

 

[natedog]

I think that's something both the team and Winston have considered as an option when they agreed to his new contract.

It doesn't seem like any team was willing to guarantee Winston a starting role and the Saints needed all the cap savings it could get. I think the Saints and Winston could have an agreement that if at any point another team is willing to give Winston a starting role, then the Saints will either cut Winston or trade him for a reasonable price to that team.

And, don't JW fans take it the wrong way, he's just not a ball control QB that DA wants to employ. This isn't my favorite coaching staff or system, but it's the one we are stuck with for another year, so get used to it I guess. All these players have chances to make the field and a few have solid chances to become stars. Even with a healthy AK last year he didn't really produce like he did under CSP, I know cause he ruined my FF year. Miller is going to be a more productive fit, he takes the ball and goes forward, aggressively. I love AK, but I don't know about his usage going forward.

 

[67Saint]

Mike on WWL radio earlier today made a comment that almost every player the Saints have picked was a team leader on his college team, or a captain. The team values that.

Were I GM that would be a big part of my weighting. Insight into character from his peers.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

You used the word "smart" six times and "very smart" five...

That I think, is the point.

I noticed that too. Made me lol.

 

[COACHTDL]

This feels like a really good draft. Top to bottom, it appears each guy can make this roster. 4 guys look like they can be on the field for a lot of plays.

 

[Cougar 2]

I give this draft a solid “B”!

Awhile back, I felt we didn’t need to draft “Day 1 starters” ( tho that woulda been nice!) , but to select players who could come in compete n CONTRIBUTE right away as ROOKS!

We like to rotate players, but esp on D line.So no doubt, BB n Foskey WILL play!

We also like to rotate at RB. But drafting Kendre Miller COULD give us a chance to FINALLY have dat “3 headed monster” backfield!

We also rotate alot at WR. We got a good young group there led by CO n Sheed, n I’m feeling “guardedly optimistic” dat MT WILL play this season!

BUT, Im tellin ya, ATP jus might b da “steal” of our draft!!! He can PLAY!!!

Haener ( to solidify QB3 n allow Taysom to play more TE/HB) Howden ( slot S n STs) n Saldiveri ( Mr Versatility!!!) round out this draft class!

IMO, it’s a good, smart, athletic group wit lotsa potential n upside!

So stay tuned!

 

[sfidc3]

Read the rest of what I wrote in that same comment.

Reading it again won't make me magically agree with you.....

To those who poo poo the draft picks. You don’t have the slightest clue how these guys will translate to the NFL. Give it a couple of years then come back !

Agreed, the exact same could be said to those cheerleading the picks into the best draft the Saints have ever had nonsense.....it could be either the worst or the best draft the Saints have had or most likely somewhere in between, hopefully that in between is nearer to the best.....

 

[Belfast Saint]

I think everyone (probably) recognises that this draft could give us 7 starters or 7 guys no longer with the team in a few years, and at the final reckoning it will probably be somewhere in between.

This is a good draft, in my opinion, because of the following:

• The picks seemed to match the areas of need (albeit with some exceptions)
• The picks seemed to fit what we do/fit our scheme/fit our prototypes
• The players selected appeared to provide reasonable to good value (when you consider composite rankings)
• The players selected seem to have the talent, athleticism, experience, production, potential etc to be seen as potential contributors, and often early contributors
• The players selected seem to fit our culture with a heavy weighting to character, leadership and service
• There was a good balance of risk and reward
• The trades we made made sense and didn't feel like over-paying for the value of the players we got
• We maneuvered our way through the draft and got ahead/ started two runs on a specific position group, getting our first choice in that target area
• There was a pleasing consistency to the draft where every pick just sorta made sense (to me at least) either immediately or with a minimum of reading up - no real clangers, or head scratchers - just good prospects at positions of need/value

If there's a negative from this draft, beyond the obvious which is that every player could be a dud, it's that we missed out on a few areas of need (LB/1T) and created a new one (TE).

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Reading it again won't make me magically agree with you.....



Agreed, the exact same could be said to those cheerleading the picks into the best draft the Saints have ever had nonsense.....it could be either the worst or the best draft the Saints have had or most likely somewhere in between, hopefully that in between is nearer to the best.....

Spot on. It cuts both ways.

 

[wnelson]

A lampshade will do better than fishman

 

[Cougar 2]

I think everyone (probably) recognises that this draft could give us 7 starters or 7 guys no longer with the team in a few years, and at the final reckoning it will probably be somewhere in between.

This is a good draft, in my opinion, because of the following:

• The picks seemed to match the areas of need (albeit with some exceptions)
• The picks seemed to fit what we do/fit our scheme/fit our prototypes
• The players selected appeared to provide reasonable to good value (when you consider composite rankings)
• The players selected seem to have the talent, athleticism, experience, production, potential etc to be seen as potential contributors, and often early contributors
• The players selected seem to fit our culture with a heavy weighting to character, leadership and service
• There was a good balance of risk and reward
• The trades we made made sense and didn't feel like over-paying for the value of the players we got
• We maneuvered our way through the draft and got ahead/ started two runs on a specific position group, getting our first choice in that target area
• There was a pleasing consistency to the draft where every pick just sorta made sense (to me at least) either immediately or with a minimum of reading up - no real clangers, or head scratchers - just good prospects at positions of need/value

If there's a negative from this draft, beyond the obvious which is that every player could be a dud, it's that we missed out on a few areas of need (LB/1T) and created a new one (TE).

Agreed. My biggest concern here is at LB. The loss of Kaden Ellis now makes us really thin there. Not too high on the backups we have to fill his spot. Don’t b surprised if we eventually bring in a vet LB.

I really wanted us to draft a big 1T run stuffer, like Mazi, as well. But again, I think we’re either gonna bring in a vet, or sign a UDFA to help there. The good news here tho is dat we rotate so much along the D line. So if we can jus get a lil more consistent play from this current group of DTs, esp against the run, than the one last year, it’ll help alot!


Finally, IMO, unlike Ellis at LB, IMO, losing Trautman did not create a new “area of need”. Id say it was more like creating an opening/opportunity for someone else to fill! But seriously, again, I think we can bring in a vet TE who can easily replace him.

Meanwhile, one of the reasons why I think the Saints drafted QB Jake Haener was to allow Taysom to play/ focus more on O at TE/HB even WR, along with playin STs.

Most importantly, I’ve been quite pleased with Juwans continued development n play at TE. With the addition of DC4 at QB ( who loves to go to his TEs) I think many are looking for JJ to put it all together this year n have his best season as an every down TE!

We’ll see

 

[the-commish]

To those who poo poo the draft picks. You don’t have the slightest clue how these guys will translate to the NFL. Give it a couple of years then come back !

Same for those who say "GREAT draft." We will see.