Who would you take at #9 in this scenario

[St. Widge]

Safety makes a lot of sense. That can be Mathieu’s replacement in ‘26 or at some point during the 2025 season. Taking a Safety can allow Mathieu to be used more at multiple positions as a safety, nickel, and passing down ILB to take advantage of his ball hawk skills. I think a Safety pick would be considered an experienced day 1 starter prospect succeeding an aging star vet.

Looking at the Saints’ last 5 1st round picks, they’ve usually drafted a starter experienced at their position/position group to be the top player at a glaring hole. Fuaga never played LT but he was the most talented Saints OT enough to move to LT while it was only the opposite OT position. Bresee was a DT drafted to be the top DT/DL. Penning started mostly LT at UNI and drafted to be Armstead’s LT successor. Olave was OSU’s WR3 in targets but drafted because of his WR1 ceiling which he eventually became with the Saints as a rookie. Payton Turner was a developmental DE pick who they hoped could develop into a starter long term while we had a win now roster with Sean Payton as HC.

Based on their recent draft history, they’ve added immediate starters with their 1st round picks to fill a hole, rather than on basis of competing short term.
It seems best to get a day 1 starter with a high pick because their long term outlook to be a productive starter is more apparent. I think the Saints have to be very careful with drafting developmental players that high at #9 to not repeat another Turner or Davenport. They don’t want to spend multiple years hoping their development at a new position is going to pan out any year now during the rookie contract. They would have to keep drafting players at their position while they wait for the developmental 1st rounder to breakout or because they showed that they’ll never be a long term starter and became a wasted top 10 pick.

I think the thing is that in this scenario, outside of Safety and OG, you are likely to get just as good of a starter in the back half of the first as you are at #9 which makes it a very difficult spot to be. I think the outlook totally changes if the Saints think Campbell, or another OT, is going to be a starter at LT that lets them ove Fuaga to RT and they don't have to pay Penning. It's not sexy at all, but it should set you up really well on the OL for 4 to 10 years or so.

But, I don't know enough about the players to know if that OT is there and I don't know how they feel about Penning. And, I've never been impressed with Campbell despite being a big LSU fan.

The more I look at it, maybe the best option, since I doubt the trade offers will be good, is to go CB, Slot, or Safety if the board falls like this.

 

[soggymoss84]

I don't agree with this at all. How is Staley a linebacker guru?

What has he done to earn this?

DA might be a horrible HC but he was and is an elite defensive coordinator.

Never said he was a guru, but as a position coach he focused on linebackers more than anything, so linebackers are his “specialty” just like DB’s was DA’s “specialty”

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Never said he was a guru, but as a position coach he focused on linebackers more than anything, so linebackers are his “specialty” just like DB’s was DA’s “specialty”

Is there a history or him making a difference as a linebacker coach? Like examples?

DA has a huge list of DBs...

 

[MG3n2K5]

Granderson came into the league as a small speed rusher with size suited more for 3-4. During his combine his athleticism was rated average-67 just under the Good-70 threshold. That was amongst DE/edges rather than all rushers including 3-4.

He only bulked up to fit Allen’s plodder type of DE mold. He can essentially trim back down 7 pounds to his original draft weight for more advantage as a standup rusher.

I can’t really see them drafting OLB at #9 because of Granderson’s athleticism questions in the 3-4. He’s proven to be a very effective rusher regardless of the scheme change. He can’t be traded before June because of the 20.4M dead money charge. He has a tradeable cap hit after 6/1 but don’t think it’s ideal to use a top 10 pick on a starting spot thats not weak. 2nd-3rd round seems to fit OLB depth range.

I have no problem with Granderson or Chase as stand up edge rushers (I like them both there), just think they need a more dynamic LB lined up on the other side. More sideline to sideline speed, more explosive burst, ability to shadow & attack mobile QB's, ability to do some coverage vs. RB's & TE's. someone you can put at LB in a 3-3-5 in nickel to rush or cover. That's not them. Defense has a serious need to get faster & more athletic.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

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?

Kenneth Grant DT Michigan

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Is there a history or him making a difference as a linebacker coach? Like examples?

DA has a huge list of DBs...

OLBs while Staley was OLB coach/DC/HC

2018 (Bears OLB coach)
Khalil Mack: 12.5 sacks (13th in NFL), 14 TFLs, 47 pressures (9th in NFL), 26 hurries (4th in NFL), 8 QB hits (30th in NFL)
Leonard Floyd: 4 sacks, 9 TFLs, 23 pressures, 13 hurries (40th), 6 QB hits (T-58th)

2019 (Broncos OLB coach)
Von Miller: 8 sacks, 10 TFLs, 19 pressures (12th), 18 hurries (8th), 10 QB hits (20th)

2020 (Rams DC)
Leonard Floyd: 10.5 sacks (9th), 13 TFLs, 30 pressures (28th), 10 hurries (T-38th), 8 QB hits
Sam Ebukam: 4.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, 13 pressures, 5 hurries, 3 QB hits

2021 (Chargers HC)
Joey Bosa: 10.5 sacks (13th), 5 TFLs, 43 pressures (T-7th), 21 hurries (T-1st), 11 QB hits (18th)
Uchenna Nwosu: 5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 30 pressures (31st), 13 hurries (T-32nd), 12 QB hits (T-14th)

2022 (Chargers HC)
Khalil Mack: 8 sacks, 12 TFLs (19th), 18 pressures, 6 hurries, 4 QB hits
Joey Bosa missed 12 games

2023 (Chargers HC)
Khalil Mack: 17 sacks (4th), 21 TFLs (3rd), 36 pressures (12th), 10 QB hits (34th)
Joey Bosa in 9 games: 6.5 sacks, 6 TFLs, 15 pressures, 6 hurries, 2 QB hits
Tuli Tuipulotu (rookie): 4.5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 22 pressures (T-55th), 11 hurries (T-15th), 6 QB hits (T-72nd)


Rankings overall amongst all defensive players in NFL


OLB Tuli Tuipulotu as a rookie was tied with Micah Parsons in QB hurries, tied with Jonathon Cooper and DT Jonathan Allen in pressures, 1 less pressure than Clowney and Preston Smith, and 1 less QB hit than Hendrickson.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

OLBs while Staley was OLB coach/DC/HC

2018 (Bears OLB coach)

How many of these guys where studs before him?

Khalil Mack: 12.5 sacks (13th in NFL), 14 TFLs, 47 pressures (9th in NFL), 26 hurries (4th in NFL), 8 QB hits (30th in NFL)

Mack had 10, 11, and 15 sacks the year prior. Mack was already him before.

Leonard Floyd: 4 sacks, 9 TFLs, 23 pressures, 13 hurries (40th), 6 QB hits (T-58th)

Had 4 and 4.5 sacks the two years prior.

2019 (Broncos OLB coach)
Von Miller: 8 sacks, 10 TFLs, 19 pressures (12th), 18 hurries (8th), 10 QB hits (20th)

Was already a multiple time all pro before.

2020 (Rams DC)
Leonard Floyd: 10.5 sacks (9th), 13 TFLs, 30 pressures (28th), 10 hurries (T-38th), 8 QB hits
Sam Ebukam: 4.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, 13 pressures, 5 hurries, 3 QB hits

Floyd's breakout year. This example 100% fits your narrative.

Tuli Tuipulotu (rookie): 4.5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 22 pressures (T-55th), 11 hurries (T-15th), 6 QB hits (T-72nd)

This fits as well.

2021 (Chargers HC)
Joey Bosa: 10.5 sacks (13th), 5 TFLs, 43 pressures (T-7th), 21 hurries (T-1st), 11 QB hits (18th)
Uchenna Nwosu: 5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 30 pressures (31st), 13 hurries (T-32nd), 12 QB hits (T-14th)

2022 (Chargers HC)
Khalil Mack: 8 sacks, 12 TFLs (19th), 18 pressures, 6 hurries, 4 QB hits
Joey Bosa missed 12 games

2023 (Chargers HC)
Khalil Mack: 17 sacks (4th), 21 TFLs (3rd), 36 pressures (12th), 10 QB hits (34th)
Joey Bosa in 9 games: 6.5 sacks, 6 TFLs, 15 pressures, 6 hurries, 2 QB hits

Yeah i'm not gonna keep saying the same thing. All of these guys but two performed at a similar or better level before he arrived. Difficult for me to give him credit for that.

 

[IlovemySaints]

Would be SHOCKED if Carolina went Tet.

Why ?

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Why ?

Throwing to a WR that large would give Bryce a Napoleon complex.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

How many of these guys where studs before him?

Mack had 10, 11, and 15 sacks the year prior. Mack was already him before.


Had 4 and 4.5 sacks the two years prior.

Was already a multiple time all pro before.

Floyd's breakout year. This example 100% fits your narrative.

This fits as well.


Yeah i'm not gonna keep saying the same thing. All of these guys but two performed at a similar or better level before he arrived. Difficult for me to give him credit for that.

No narrative there. That’s simply the starting OLB production history under Staley. He’s consistently coached steady—top production from his starting OLBs. Their numbers, along with the Saints top 2 pass rushers’ ‘23-‘24 seasons, gives an idea of a potential floor-ceiling for the Saints’ two starting OLBs with Staley.

Floyd and Tuipolotu fits your narrative or answer your question about who did Staley make a difference with. He was in charge of a unit or team for only 7 years.
A 2 year position coach and 1 year DC can only coach the personnel that he’s given.

Staley can’t be discredited or knocked for coming into a promotion with existing productive players. Their production didn’t dip with him.

OLB only has two starters while a secondary has 4 starters who frequently changes every few years at 2-3 of the DB spots. Dennis Allen will have an extensive history with a variety of productive DBs since he’s been a DB coach, DC, and HC for 17 years. Staley has ran a unit at different levels for only 7 years. He didn’t have say in personnel until the last 3 of those 7 years. As HC he went with a familiar face at 1 of the other OLB spots and overseen him produce a career high 17 sack year.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

No narrative there. That’s simply the starting OLB production history under Staley. He’s consistently coached steady—top production from his starting OLBs. Their numbers, along with the Saints top 2 pass rushers’ ‘23-‘24 seasons, gives an idea of a potential floor-ceiling for the Saints’ two starting OLBs with Staley.

Floyd and Tuipolotu fits your narrative or answer your question about who did Staley make a difference with. He was in charge of a unit or team for only 6 years.
A 2 year position coach and 1 year DC can only coach the personnel that he’s given.

Staley can’t be discredited or knocked for coming into a promotion with existing productive players. Their production didn’t dip with him.

OLB only has two starters while a secondary has 4 starters who frequently changes every few years at 2-3 of the DB spots. Dennis Allen will have an extensive history with a variety of productive DBs since he’s been a DB coach, DC, and HC for 17 years. Staley has ran a unit at different levels for only 6 years. He didn’t have say in personnel until the last 3 of those 6 years. He went with a familiar face at 1 of the other OLB spots and overseen him produce a career high 17 sack year as HC.

While I agree with what you're saying. This seems to be more so having already talented players that performed before him also produce during him and less about him being a linebacker guru.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

While I agree with what you're saying. This seems to be more so having already talented players that performed before him also produce during him and less about him being a linebacker guru.

I missed that part about Staley being called a LB guru. He can’t be a guru since he didn’t have the opportunity to develop a young OLB prospect until his 7th year as NFL coach. He doesn’t have examples of developing many 1st-2nd year guys or transforming many players which isn’t his fault. Staley’s starting 2 OLBs consisted of Floyd, Mack, and Bosa in 6 of 7 years. Floyd had the tools as a former top 10 pick and Staley helped him finally become a good pass rusher in Floyd’s 5th year.

It’s probably more fair to say Staley can continue good production with existing star/productive starting OLBs. He has a good track record in keeping vets productive.

 

[Shotgunred]

Kenneth Grant DT Michigan

Not really sure about drafting Grant at 9. We have too many NTs on the roster already with Godchaux, Saunders, Ridgeway, and Boyd. Walter Nolen would be a beast at 3 tech for us.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Not really sure about drafting Grant at 9. We have too many NTs on the roster already with Godchaux, Saunders, Ridgeway, and Boyd. Walter Nolen would be a beast at 3 tech for us.

Godcahux will be an end