Saints address needs in 2008 draft

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By Cedric Meyer

Last weekend, head coach Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints took part in their third draft together, addressing needs rather than going for big name players.

With the 10th overall pick, the Saints had made it clear that there were two players on their target list: LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. But with both players considered to be top picks, the Saints knew they had to move up to get one of them.

After Dorsey fell past the top four picks, the Saints attempted to make a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs at number five, offering this year’s first and second round picks, as well as a first-rounder in 2009. The Chiefs, for some unknown reason, declined the offer and drafted Dorsey with the fifth overall selection. So the Saints knew they had to make another move if they wanted to get Ellis.

First Round, seventh overall pick: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC With the New England Patriots having the seventh overall pick, the Saints knew they could work out a deal with them, seeing as how the 16-0 Pats had no glaring needs that high. The Saints sent the Patriots their 10th overall pick, as well as a third rounder, in exchange for the Pats’ seventh overall selection and a fifth-round pick.

The Saints addressed their glaring need on the interior defensive line by drafting Southern Cal’s Sedrick Ellis, a beast of an athlete who was rated just as high as Dorsey in a lot of mock drafts. While he doesn’t have top flight speed, Ellis is dominating specimen on the defensive line. With Hollis Thomas and Brian Young aging at the tackle position, Ellis should step right into the starting role for the Saints next season.

Second Round, 40th overall pick: CB Tracy Porter, Indiana After addressing one of their top needs at defensive tackle in the first round, the Saints decided to address their other major need at cornerback in the second round. After a potential trade for Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey fell through, the Saints decided that they had to move on and take a player that could fill that hole in the secondary.

Porter, a native of Port Allen, fits the Saints’ system better than any other corner in the draft. A true “cover corner,” Porter will excel in covering quick receivers down the field, using his pro day 40-yard time of 4.27 to his advantage. While he is not so great against the run or in zone, he can play man-to-man, something that Jason David doesn’t know a lick about.

Fifth Round, 144th overall pick: DT DeMario Pressly, NC State Not having a third or fourth round pick in the draft wasn’t a major concern for the Saints, as they waited until the fifth round to target another interior lineman in Pressly. Pressly is a defensive tackle who battled through injury for the majority of his college career. He sustained an average of two injuries a year, but is a physical tackle that could eventually work great alongside Dorsey. Several mock drafts had him getting drafted in the third round, so the Saints should feel happy they got Pressly.

Fifth Round, 164th overall pick: OT Carl Nicks, Nebraska With their second pick in the fifth round, the Saints decided to add some depth to the offensive line in adding lineman Carl Nicks from Nebraska. Nicks is another player who was projected to be drafted higher, but fell into the Saints laps in the fifth round. Nicks should develop nicely at tackle, behind either Jamaal Brown or Jon Stinchcomb.

Sixth Round, 178th overall pick: K Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin After having kicking woes for most of last season with Olinde Mare, the Saints went out and picked up veteran Martin Gramatica. While Gramatica is getting up there in age, the Saints decided to groom an eventual replacement in Mehlhaff. I know it’s a kicker, but if he makes more field goals than Mare, then I’m not complaining.

Seventh Round, 237th overall pick: WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan With the Saints trading their seventh round pick to move up in the fifth round, New Orleans did not have any remaining picks. But the Saints really like Arrington, and decided to trade away a 2009 sixth round pick to get this pick. While Arrington may not be the next Marques Colston, he has the toughness to become a possession-type receiver.

Overall, I give the Saints draft a B+. While they didn’t get the big name guys a lot of Saints fans wanted, I feel like they addressed their glaring needs and should be much improved on the defensive side of the ball this year. Players will begin reporting to camp in the coming weeks.

Originally Published: Issue 606 - April 30, 2008

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