Archive for March 5th, 2009
Start from the beginning: Detroit Lions
Previous Pick: Washington Redskins
14. New Orleans Saints
-Knowshon Moreno (HB/Georgia)
- NFL.com
As dangerous as the Saints passing game is to defenses, think about how much more powerful the offense could be with a workhorse running back like Knowshon Moreno. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are great in their roles, but the Saints have lacked a powerful runner ever since Deuce McCallister started suffering from injuries. Moreno, a very good receiver out of the backfield would give Drew Brees another elusive target. And there is little doubt that the 28th best rush attack would improve immensely by adding the Georgia runner.
If Green Bay doesn’t select him, New Orleans might go for the best player available in Moreno.
-Malcolm Jenkins (DB/Ohio St)
- NFL.com
So far, free agency has been good to the Saints. They landed one of the very best coverage cornerbacks in Jabari Greer. The glaring weakness there has been filled, thereby allowing the Saints to refocus attention to free safety. Incumbent Josh Bullocks was not great last season, and is more of a backup. Too many big plays were made over the heads of the Saints safeties, especially considering how New Orleans was playing a conservative defense. For a soft coverage scheme, 220 passing yards allowed per game isn’t good. And more revealing, they allowed 53 plays of 20+ yards (3rd worst).
Currently, the Saints have only 4 draft picks for 2009: 1st round, two 4th rounders, and a 7th round selection. So any chance of drafting one of the true safeties (most of whom are valued in the 2nd round) is unlikely. Therefore, Malcolm Jenkins becomes a valuable commodity for the Saints. He could do a decent job a corner, but they would draft him to be a free safety, at which position I think he would thrive.
-Trade Down*
Most of the defensive players who the Saints may covet should be off the board by now. If they can manage it, trading into the second round, and maybe third round would be good move for New Orleans. That way New Orleans could draft a safety and defensive end.
-If they are looking to add a dynamic pass rushing tackle next to Sedrick Ellis, Peria Jerry would be the best option.
Next on the clock: Houston Texans
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Start from the beginning: Detroit Lions
Previous Pick: Denver Broncos
13. Washington Redskins
-Trade Down*
Recent signings of Albert Haynesworth, Deangelo Hall, and Derrick Dockery leave the Redskins with very little cap space to work with. If you take the April Draft into account, Washington really has to be smart with their money. Then add in the Jason Taylor fiasco, and the Redskins are left with only 4 draft picks. This is a very likely scenario especially considering the depth this draft has to offer.
Washington has only a few holes to fill, and luckily none of them are gaping weaknesses: strong side linebacker, left defensive end, and right tackle are the 3 most immediate areas to address.
-Brian Cushing (OLB/USC)
- NFL.com
According to my understanding of the way Greg Blache’s defense works, he likes to have large defensive linemen to occupy the blockers. This way, his linebackers can blitz freely (on select plays). When Rocky McIntosh went down with an injury towards the end of last season, the defense lost its key pass rusher. Strong side linebacker Marcus Washington has been hampered with injuries (leading to his release). So the Redskins will take a good look at Cushing, who was a talented pass rusher at DE and OLB for Southern Cal.
-Andre Smith (OT/Alabama)
- NFL.com
Selecting Andre Smith here is an ideal situation for both parties. Smith seems ideally suited for the right side, where he can relieve Jon Jansen and the injury-plagued Stephon Heyer. By ignoring the offensive tackle position, Washing has allowed Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen to age without having reliable backups in place.
Andre Smith is a more than capable tackle who could fill in on the left side if needed. He was in the discussion for being the #1 pick prior to the combine. If he can whip himself into shape before his pro day, he might be able to reclaim some of his value back.
-Tyson Jackson (DE/LSU)
- NFL.com
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache loves big, versatile defensive linemen. He would add another to his list if his team selects 6’4, 295 lb Tyson Jackson of LSU. He isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he is extremely strong in the run game, and can play tackle or end. Jackson would be a sensible pick IF Washington can manage to swing a trade down a little bit. Generally speaking, linemen who aren’t great pash rushers aren’t selected in the top 15 picks of the draft. However, this selection would fill an area of need, but it doesn’t make much sense to me from a value standpoint. I believe the team could fill this spot later in the draft and draft a better player with the 13th pick (Knowshon Moreno perhaps?). Run stuffing defensive ends are a dime a dozen, unless they can split the double team as well (example: Richard Seymour).
Next on the clock: New Orleans Saints
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