Who would you take at #9 in this scenario

[TeenAgeWasteland]

I watched a mock draft podcast on youtube with this result:

1. Titans QB Cam Ward
2. Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
3. Giants Edge Abdul Carter
4. Patriots CB Travis Hunter
5. Jaguars DT Mason Graham
6. Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
7. Jets TE Tyler Warren
8. Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

They had the Saints selecting Will Campbell in this scenario. I personally would hate for the draft to fall like this, but I can see it as a real possibility. What would you select in this case?

Armand Membou or trade down and get Kelvin Banks or Jahdae Barron. I wouldn't raise a fit if it was Jihaad Campbell though.

 

[Furious One]

Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell

He’s elite in run defense and rushing, above average in coverage. 117 tackles, 5 sacks and 12 TFLs in 2024. He has the quickness to defend athletic QBs and explosive RBs. He’d upgrade LB2 and become Davis’ LB1 heir in 2026 when Davis is a FA/likely retires. Second level of the front 7 remains strong with an experienced ILB there, which helps the uncertainty of the DL.

Just read earlier he was the pick for us at nine in Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock... Didn't know why until I read his bio.

 

[WinAnother]

Jalon Walker please, Will Campbell is very tempting as I think he'll be a really good LG in the NFL. 2nd round will be some very good CBs available.

 

[sammymvpknight]

Really shocked to see so much love for Walker. His tape is nowhere near top 10 level. He's good at both off ball and edge but far from great at either.

Jihaad and Schwasinger are both far better off ball linebackers and Walker is not even a top 5 edge in the class. Give me someone who is great at one position over goodish at two.

Tell me about it. Complete luxury pick. Doesn’t have a true position. Too small to be an edge but doesn’t have the bulk or instincts to play inside. He’s a tweener type and those types typically wash out.

 

[sammymvpknight]

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.

We should be. JJ is a jag

 

[sammymvpknight]

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.

I’d agree. At least he had upside to be an elite player. I’d try to trade down but Will Johnson would be fine. OL wouldn’t be a bad idea but only if you have a clear vision where someone will play. I’m tired of drafting OL and just figuring it out along the way.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Tell me about it. Complete luxury pick. Doesn’t have a true position. Too small to be an edge but doesn’t have the bulk or instincts to play inside. He’s a tweener type and those types typically wash out.

Taking Walker at 9 would be a complete failure IMO. He needs to have a coaching staff that can really utilize him to the best of his abilities and we don't have that.

If you want a linebacker pick Jihaad. If you want an edge there's much better prospects even at 40 IMO.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

We should be. JJ is a jag

A jag we are paying 10 million per year.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

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.

If that’s the scenario presented, where certain top offensive prospects are gone, it could be a matter of who’s the better risk with a top 10 pick. A day 1 starter with injury concerns; a developmental player with great traits; a player who could pile up their position/great depth in year 1 and not getting much out of them in the beginning.

I think the Saints are in a situation where they’d have to use #9 on a starter with injury concerns than a player who isn’t pro ready at their position for a while. As long as the medical staff determine that they can play right away and their long term health is good. If the injury concerns are too grim, maybe QB may be the pick if they want to use a high pick on a high ceiling player who won’t contribute much in year 1.

BPA filling a need with a starter that you know is likely to excel at their position, skills/proven production wise, seems like a better scenario than a depth pick or a luxury pick inside the top 10.

 

[soggymoss84]

Taking Walker at 9 would be a complete failure IMO. He needs to have a coaching staff that can really utilize him to the best of his abilities and we don't have that.

If you want a linebacker pick Jihaad. If you want an edge there's much better prospects even at 40 IMO.

Our DC’s specialty is linebackers, we absolutely do have the coaching staff for that.

This is not Allen’s team

 

[St. Widge]

Taking Walker at 9 would be a complete failure IMO. He needs to have a coaching staff that can really utilize him to the best of his abilities and we don't have that.

If you want a linebacker pick Jihaad. If you want an edge there's much better prospects even at 40 IMO.

What makes you think our new defensive staff doesn't know how to use a tweener like Walker?

 

[St. Widge]

A jag we are paying 10 million per year.

Which is what other JAG TEs get paid now.

 

[BELOWSEALEVEL]

Trade back with Rams and let em draft Dart.

 

[St. Widge]

If that’s the scenario presented, where certain top offensive prospects are gone, it could be a matter of who’s the better risk with a top 10 pick. A day 1 starter with injury concerns; a developmental player with great traits; a player who could pile up their position/great depth in year 1 and not getting much out of them in the beginning.

I think the Saints are in a situation where they’d have to use #9 on a starter with injury concerns than a player who isn’t pro ready at their position for a while. As long as the medical staff determine that they can play right away and their long term health is good. If the injury concerns are too grim, maybe QB may be the pick if they want to use a high pick on a high ceiling player who won’t contribute much in year 1.

BPA filling a need with a starter that you know is likely to excel at their position, skills/proven production wise, seems like a better scenario than a depth pick or a luxury pick inside the top 10.

That's a valid point of view, but I personally think that this Saints team needs to take the player that is the most likely to be the best player long term. I get that we are trying to be competitive, but I think we all know that we are at best looking at competing for the NFC South this year with a 9 or 10 win team. So, we really need to be looking at the long term and who is going to be the best player in 2 or 3 years. I'm not sure who that is, but I'm very leery of taking a guy who is a long term injury risk given how much injuries have hurt this team recently.

And, honestly, if we are going with who is going to be the best starter short term, that answer is probably Campbell even if he's only a Guard. And, I don't think any of us want to take a Guard at #9 and, frankly, I think even a good to very good ILB is only slightly better value than an OG at #9.

The other option if you want a starter, for the short and long term, would be the best available Safety. Which again isn't great value.

And, that's the problem. If this scenario plays out, there aren't any great options and trading down if probably the best of bad options. Just have to hope someone really wants to move up to take Dart or on of the OL or Edges.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

What makes you think our new defensive staff doesn't know how to use a tweener like Walker?

Well first of all I don't think Walker is good enough at either position to really succeed plus I'm not high on Brandon Staley at all.

If we had a guru defensive coordinator or someone with a history of growing LBs I would feel different.