With the 9th Pick in the 2025 draft, who should the Saints select? (merged) (4 Viewers)

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

To counter that, Ruiz = meh. Penning = meh. Fuaga hasn't been bad, but not as good as most expected.

Who the hell expected Fuaga to be better than what he was been? He's a rookie left tackle.

Dude pitched a shut out to the current DPOY Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons...AS A ROOKIE.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

This may lock us for a chance to take Tyler Warren. I doubt Jeanty will be there. Im not sure who I would prefer more. Probably Jeanty. But I would be ecstatic at the idea of taking Warren at 9.

The reason is simple. We're probably a handful of players across Dline, LB and S before we're a competent defense. We're 1 passing option from have a decent passing attack without Olave, and Olave comes back then we're in a good spot. I like Warren because he's good at blocking too, runs hard and violent like Taysom Hill, and can operate all over the field, vertical, short, screen passes, etc.

But if we do take Warren, I would really, really hope we're able to take Stabetto in the 2nd/3rd or maybe even Raheim Sanders in the 3rd/4th

 

[Infoman]

But 'your eyes' don't escape the fact that the same Detroit team could equally build their running attack around a player drafted 12th or acquired as a veteran free agent.

But this was just to counter your argument that a player taken 12th overall is the requirement for top end TD production. I honestly think that while Gibbs was considered over drafted at the time, the Lions knew that he fit into their system, could benefit from their run scheme and (of course) the ability of those high end, blue chip OL picks playing in front of him. He was a great pick for the team at the time.

But that definitely doesn't mean it's the rule to go looking for a Gibbs in the first round. As various examples and contradictory evidence shows.

Some of you guys simply don't read what I post... I never said it was "required"....

The whole point I am making is to buck this dumb cliché that you have to keep building your lines with fat guys until you have some sort of impenetrable wall on both sides of the ball, before you ever start taking superstar level talent on offense in the draft with high picks... because "YoU havE To buiLD in Da trenCHES fIRst" - And kill this goofy take that somehow you can't build a team around a superstar RB or that taking one in the top 10 is somehow the dumbest thing ever...

WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT AN INSANE AMOUNT OF DRAFT CAPITAL TO BUILD OUR LINES - It's time for that capital to pay off... Not double down on losses....

Nothing I post is done so in an absolute vacuum - So respond with that in mind and read all posts accordingly.

I am using Gibbs as a direct example of why it's not always a bad thing to take a RB fairly high - As it relates directly to Saints current situation, and with the real possibility that Jeanty is the BPA when we draft this year at 9 overall...

I have conceded that the Lions are in a much different situation than the Saints... It's been established that the Lions also invested less draft capital than the Saints have to build their OLine when they started drafting guys like Gibbs, LaPorta, and Williams - which is when they became a real threat to win a SB

I am not trying to create rules... I am trying to debunk the rules too many here have stuck living in their heads.

 

[Infoman]

The Lions are stacked across the board. Best OLine in the league, elite recievers(including LaPorta), elite play caller, and to finish it off Gibbs is great.



Notice they figured EVERYTHING ELSE out first then drafted a RB. We are not in that boat we need a complete talent overhaul.

Please name one team in the last 2 decades that started a successful rebuild by centering around a top 10 running back. It does not exist.

Already addressed... not going to keep responding to same points that have already been hashed out - see post above.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

Already addressed... not going to keep responding to same points that have already been hashed out - see post above.

Sure but you're ignoring the main point.

Every example given are teams that built their rosters first THEN drafted/signed an elite RB.

Name one team in the modern era that build a successful franchise off picking a running back in the top 10.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Mason Graham, Tetairoa McMillan, Ashton Jeanty. If it isn’t one of those 3, move back.

 

[Infoman]

Sure but you're ignoring the main point.

Every example given are teams that built their rosters first THEN drafted/signed an elite RB.

Name one team in the modern era that build a successful franchise off picking a running back in the top 10.

JHC dude... All this has been addressed here - I am not ignoring anything - go back and find my responses to all this... The Saints have 4 out of 5 starters that were already 1st or 2nd round picks

The Saints have literally taken an OL or DL in the 1st or 2nd round every year for the past decade! And nearly all our Oline starters have been taken in those rounds just since 2019....

When then flip are we going to see those guys produce? And how much more capital has to be spent there before we build an offense full of young point scorers that are worth watching on Sunday? Flip Me... How about now?

We have built the LINES already - Stop doubling down on stupid - and start drafting point scorers... That's my take.... full stop.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

JHC dude... All this has been addressed here - I am not ignoring anything - go back and find my responses to all this... The Saints have 4 out of 5 starters that were already 1st or 2nd round picks - We have built the roster already - Stop doubling down on stupid - and start drafting point scorers... That's my take.... full stop.

I'm not arguing to draft another OLineman. Most of us on here are not arguing that.

We are arguing that the Saints are not in a place talent wise to draft a running back 9th overall. Something that has NEVER translated to winning in the modern era.

We are desperate for WR, TE, Edge, iDL, LB, FS, SS. All of these positions are in desperate need of attention before we address the running back position.

 

[St. Widge]

But 'your eyes' don't escape the fact that the same Detroit team could equally build their running attack around a player drafted 12th or acquired as a veteran free agent.

But this was just to counter your argument that a player taken 12th overall is the requirement for top end TD production. I honestly think that while Gibbs was considered over drafted at the time, the Lions knew that he fit into their system, could benefit from their run scheme and (of course) the ability of those high end, blue chip OL picks playing in front of him. He was a great pick for the team at the time.

But that definitely doesn't mean it's the rule to go looking for a Gibbs in the first round. As various examples and contradictory evidence shows.

I'd also point out that when Jamal Williams was running behind that Detroit OL, he lead the league in TDs. Not quite the same production behind our OL.

As for the general topic, I think there are lots of ways to build a winning team. I tend to lean to the get the big guys first and then add the other guys. Thing is this team has some of the little guys in Olave, Shaheed, and Kamara. What we lack is a good OL and an even average DL.

But, we really need help everywhere so I hope they take BPA at #9. If Jeanty is there, I hope they trade down for extra picks. If the offers aren't good value and he is BPA then take him. But, if McMillian is there I hope they take him. At the same point, at this point, I'd take Graham, Carter, and Will Johnson over Jeanty. Tough choice for me if Graham, Carter, and McMillan were there, but I highly doubt that happens.

The best case scenario for this team is for one of the top 9 players other than Jeanty to be there.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

I'm not arguing to draft another OLineman. Most of us on here are not arguing that.

We are arguing that the Saints are not in a place talent wise to draft a running back 9th overall. Something that has NEVER translated to winning in the modern era.

We are desperate for WR, TE, Edge, iDL, LB, FS, SS. All of these positions are in desperate need of attention before we address the running back position.

This line of thinking has proven time and again to be a failing draft philosophy. We always here how any rookie drafted needs to spend a couple of years before they are viewed as dependable, and to determine if the pick was worth it where the player was taken.

you're not drafting for now, you're drafting for two years from now. And two years from now, we have no answer for RB. But we will have a ready and made Oline to support one.

You want a WR, but we have no answer for QB two years from now to throw the ball to them. You demand a defense, but you need at least a handful of good players to completely rebuild it and any defensive player drafted may not work out, so you could still go into next year's draft needing at least a handful of defensive players.

Absolutely nothing wrong with taking a generational talent at 9th overall to secure a running game two years from now since we may not have a passing attack nor a defense regardless of who we take 9th overall in this draft.

You don't pass on a franchise player just because you have needs at other positions this season. Also, how many times have the professionals said to never draft by need? All the time.

The Vikings proved back in 2007, when they selected Adrian Peterson while having no offense at all and he single handedly helped that team become a playoff contender in 2008 with an offense otherwise devoid of talent and good coaching.

 

[Hubig]

The days of running the football and throwing for under 300 yard games are back in full swing. Kendre Miller should be cut, he is unreliable and the Saints need to start moving on from these kinda players, RB will be a need this year. That being said, it just depends when you wanna pull the trigger on one in the draft.

 

[Infoman]

I'm not arguing to draft another OLineman. Most of us on here are not arguing that.

We are arguing that the Saints are not in a place talent wise to draft a running back 9th overall. Something that has NEVER translated to winning in the modern era.

We are desperate for WR, TE, Edge, iDL, LB, FS, SS. All of these positions are in desperate need of attention before we address the running back position.

We are in a place where all options at all positions that are capable of scoring points and making the offense looks less like the JV team... ALL POSITOINS - are in play - RB included.

I have already addressed that - in fact - This team took a RB #2 overall in 2005 - And that pick was a HUGE and arguably most impactful piece that lead directly to completely transforming this franchise into winning and SB contending team...

Also - What has happened in the past - has no impact on the future...

We are desperate everywhere... We are not going to agree that RB is some exception or holds less weight... Especially with one like Jaunty... So let's move on.

 

[nakadish]

Your lack of football knowledge is showing. Now we are in agreeance about Ruiz, but Fuaga and Penning were healthy al 17 games and played well as neither was a turnstile.

Agreed. I think Penning is solid, but certainly not worth his draft grade. And Fuaga played pretty well for a rookie, but not as well as most expected, although much of that may be because of the play of the guy next to him.

But the point still remains. The Saints have 3 #1 picks and a #2, and the D-line has 4 #1 picks. The Saints HAVE been trying to build the trenches while ignoring other positions, and where has that gotten them? Besides Olave, when have the Saints not drafted O-line or D-line in the first round.

The Saints were at their best under Payton when they had high round draft picks at the skill positions - Reggie Bush, Meachem, Henderson, and a O-line made up of mostly lower round draft picks - except tackle.

When they went away from that model, what happened? They had Drew behind a solid O-line throwing to UDFA receivers and they got beat in the playoffs because they didn't match up talent wise. Teams could double MT and there was nobody else to hurt them.

It's not a mistake that most of the top playmakers in the NFL came from the top of the draft.

Right now all teams have to do is double Olave, and force someone else to beat them. We don't have that guy on the team so the Saints will lose no matter how good the O-line is till they get more playmakers.

 

[St. Widge]

I will never understand the logic of we have spend a lot of high picks on OL and DL but still have a sheetty OL and DL so we should stop drafting players on the OL and DL. It doesn't matter how many picks you have spend on OL and DL, you have to find a way to make them better. That can be through the draft or through free agency. But, this team has no money to spend in free agency so it has to be through the draft.

You don't force a DL or OL pick at #9 if the value isn't there, but it would be dumb to not take an OL or DL at #9 if they are BPA just because you have already invested a lot of resources that resulted in a sheetty OL and DL.