Who would you take at #9 in this scenario

[MG3n2K5]

Edge seems redundant now after re-signing Chase to 17M/yr. There’s two Edges making over 13M+ a year. They’re 26 and 28 and both signed through 2028. They were top 10-20 Edges in hurries & pressures in 2024. Foskey will also get decent snaps in a better rush scheme while he’s still developing as a recent draft pick.

You can never have too many good Edge rushers. But #9 seems really high for a rotational 3rdA/3rdB edge rusher. In comparison, ILB has a 36 year old former All-Pro who has 1 year remaining and a mostly average LB2 who has steady play but 3rd LB level if there’s another bonafide starting LB.

If the team is really moving to a 3-4 either Young or Granderson are going to have to move inside to DE or one of them will have to moved/traded. It may be the temporary solution as the team makes the transition from 4-3 personnel to 3-4 personnel but it will not be the long term answer.

 

[SweetT]

Would be SHOCKED if CAR went Tet.

I’ve noted this earlier in the week, Tyler Warren seems to be their guy, which kinda hurts bc he’s the guy that I wanted to see us draft, but after the JJ signing, I doubt we are even thinking TE.

 

[SuperSaint]

Jalon Walker

He can play all 4 linebacker positions in a 3-4. Triplett brought up a good point with him though, being 6-1 240 Ireland won’t have a good grade on him as he prefers bigger linebackers.

I would absolutely try to trade down though for someone wanting a tackle.

Agree.

Walker doesn't fit the Saints prototype, but he's going to be a beast. I'd do it.

 

[St. Widge]

Walker has off ball potential. Lack of Mike experience is concerning though, maybe boom or bust. He shows hesitation in diagnosing plays to be a firm starting ILB right now. He would have the time to develop at another spot across 2 camps. But at #9 he feels like a punted selection to take someone who’ll take time to develop and not immediately contribute anywhere in significant snaps. I’d want a day 1 experienced starter with a top 10 pick.

It think that is the problem if this scenario plays out. There won't be a player on the board that is clearly worth the #9 pick. It could be Campbell if the team thinks he can play LT, but not if they think he is a Guard. Maybe Will Johnson, but he has speed and injury concerns.

Hopefully this scenario does not play out, but if it does, the best move is to trade down. Otherwise, it's going to be a pretty risk pick for being the #9 pick.

 

[St. Geezy]

Nightmare scenario for sure.

If we can’t secure a trade down Matthew Golden or reach slightly for Nick Emmanwori.

 

[JackDiesel]

OL Will Campbell would be a disaster pick. You're talking about taking a top 10 pick and moving him inside which is a projection and something he's never done. The 5th year option is useless because tackles and guards are lumped together. I think the Saints prototyping of players might save them there.

I think I'd rather the hurt CB.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

If the team is really moving to a 3-4 either Young or Granderson are going to have to move inside to DE or one of them will have to moved/traded. It may be the temporary solution as the team makes the transition from 4-3 personnel to 3-4 personnel but it will not be the long term answer.

Young and Granderson are projected to be the starting OLBs in the 3-4. They aren’t ideal to be full time 3-4 DEs since they aren’t heavy enough to constantly take on doubles every play. They’ll get some 3-4 run with their hand in the dirt. But their skills and experience are best suited as standup rushers in 3-4.

Grando could be traded because a new definite starting OLB/edge rusher was drafted high, rather than position alignment. But a trade feels more like what we want to see happen than what’s realistic. The starters at OLB are in place.

 

[tyler735]

Absolute worst case scenario here. Would ideally trade down and maybe grab Loveland later in the 1st round.

 

[Tulsa Saint]

Would be SHOCKED if CAR went Tet.

They were dead last in defense and seems heavily connected to EDGE prospects like Shamar Stewart and Mykel Williams per people plugged into that team.

Not that much better in offense but they actually improved significantly towards the end of the season.

They have a lot of young talent on offense already and they would be smart to go D.

 

[rlpmd]

They were dead last in defense and seems heavily connected to EDGE prospects like Shamar Stewart and Mykel Williams per people plugged into that team.

Not that much better in offense but they actually improved significantly towards the end of the season.

They have a lot of young talent on offense already and they would be smart to go D.

Will Johnson CB Meechegan or his TE buddy Loveland because we have more of a need and seem to be sitting out the FA market for now.

 

[MG3n2K5]

Young and Granderson are projected to be the starting OLBs in the 3-4. They aren’t ideal to be full time 3-4 DEs since they aren’t heavy enough to constantly take on doubles every play. They’ll get some 3-4 run with their hand in the dirt. But their skills and experience are best suited as standup rushers in 3-4.

Grando could be traded because a new definite starting OLB/edge rusher was drafted high, rather than position alignment. But a trade feels more like what we want to see happen than what’s realistic. The starters at OLB are in place.

There are going to be awkward fits moving to a 3-4 & it will take a couple years to get there. Can't really have them both as 3-4 OLB's either because while they are athletic for 4-3 DE's they do not have the athleticism to both be a 3-4 OLB (you can have one of them be a straight up stand up edge rusher but not both, at least long term). Need someone more athletic on the opposite side unless Staley wants to run a 5-2 defense.

 

[JackDiesel]

The SOLB in the 3-4 is overrated on this board because depending on your rotations they might not even be on the field in nickel. If the talent is overwhelming then you'll find a spot but I'd rather have a better CB than a SOLB all other things being equal.

 

[MG3n2K5]

The SOLB in the 3-4 is overrated on this board because depending on your rotations they might not even be on the field in nickel. If the talent is overwhelming then you'll find a spot but I'd rather have a better CB than a SOLB all other things being equal.

Only guy I would consider there is Will Johnson. Don't know if I'm comfortable with a guy who missed half the season with a turf toe followed by a hammy issue before the combine. There are also questions about his athleticism that will go unanswered unless he heals up & participates in pro day. I like him but after dealing with Lattimore & my lack of faith in our training staff I don't know if I can go with him at #9.

 

[JackDiesel]

Only guy I would consider there is Will Johnson. Don't know if I'm comfortable with a guy who missed half the season with a turf toe followed by a hammy issue before the combine. There are also questions about his athleticism that will go unanswered unless he heals up & participates in pro day. I like him but after dealing with Lattimore & my lack of faith in our training staff I don't know if I can go with him at #9.

Way I see it is he was ranked as a top 5 player based off the tape. His injuries don't feel like a long term problem and I don't think he had injury issues prior. And in our new coverage scheme deep speed is less important than it was in Allen's scheme.

Plus Taylor is a FA next year so we need to get a CB in the first few rounds. The best one could arguably be the BPA.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Nightmare scenario for sure.

If we can’t secure a trade down Matthew Golden or reach slightly for Nick Emmanwori.

Nothing slightly about Nick being a reach at 9. He's an in the box safety only. Stiff hips and terrible in space. Don't double count his combine we knew he was an athlete.