Posts Tagged ‘New Orleans Saints’

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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

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