The New Orleans Saints entered the 2012 NFL draft with little need for immediate starters on either offense or defense, however, the want was there for the Saints to shore up several spots on both sides of the ball with much needed depth. Tight end, defensive tackle, and cornerback were the three positions that required the most depth while every position along the offensive line as well as defensive end and even safety could use competent back-ups. Due to trading their 2012 first rounder to the New England Patriots so they could move up in last year's draft to select Mark Ingram and the Bounty Hunter punishment, the Saints began this year's draft in the 3rd round but held a pick in every round.
After the draft and rookie free agency, the Saints' roster stands at around 90 (the limit) and I feel pretty good about how rounded out it is. Obviously the Saints need to get Drew Brees under contract but I'll reiterate once again that I don't think this will happen until the player suspensions get announced. I feel like the Saints are stacked fairly evenly at most positions and depth isn't a major concern in most spots. The draft went a long way to solidifying depth on the offensive line, defensive line, and at receiver. If you asked me what two position right now I'm most concerned about at this point, it has to be the depth at tight end and corner. The Saints will continue to add and subtract to the roster, and look for them to target those two positions. Here's how they currently shake out: no comments
Here's a running list of players the Saints have signed as rookie free agents with clickable links for more information on them:WR Milton Howell, Sam Houston
WR Kevin Hardy, Citadel
WR Chris Givins, Miami OH
WR Malcolm Beyah, Middle Tennessee St.
RB/WR Travaris Cadet, Appalachian St.
RB C. J. Gable, USC
FB Justin Aldredge, Northwestern St.
TE Jacob Byrne, Wisconsin
OT DeOn'tae Pannell, Penn St.
OT Adarius Simmons, Arizona St.
OL Brian Folkerts, Washburn
DL Tyrunn Walker, Tulsa
OLB Aaron Tevis, Boise St.
OLB Braylon Broughton, TCU
ILB Stephen Johnson, Temple
ILB Kadarron Anderson, Furman
CB Laron Scott, Georgia Southern
CB A. J. Davis, Jacksonville St.
S Johnny Thomas, Oklahoma St.
S Jose Gumbs, Monmouth
S Jerico Nelson, Arkansas
I will add names as more come in. no comments
I present to you the New Orleans Saints' 2012 draft class below, with their twitter pages linked to their names:3. Akiem Hicks, DE/DT, Regina (Canada)
4. Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
5. Corey White, S, Samford
6. Andrew Tiller, G, Syracuse
7. Marcel Jones, T, Nebraska (no twitter account known)
So how would I grade this year's class? no comments
The Saints went with offensive line depth again with their final pick and took mammoth tackle Marcel Jones of Nebraska. At 6'6", 320lbs, there's no denying Jones has impressive size. I'm honestly a little disappointed in this pick, even though tackle depth was a need, because the Saints had CB Minnifield and DE Cam Johnson as possible players that represented huge value. I would have like to have seen the Saints go defense here, but perhaps they can also get good prospects through rookie free agency. Don't forget, the Saints starting right tackle Zach Strief is a guy they drafted in the 7th round, so hopefully Jones will see similar luck.Here is his write up on NFL.com: no comments
Once again the Saints drafted at least in part to bolster depth at a position they are thin at and this time they went offensive line with interior lineman Andrew Tiller of Syracuse. This kid was coached by Doug Marrone, former Saints' assistant, at Syracuse, so you know the Saints' staff had a lot of trustworthy inside information on the player. I love this move because behind Matt Tennant as a backup, and he's really a center, the Saints have no one. This kid can come in immediately as has a real good shot at making the team. I also trust that as a Marrone disciple, the Saints got the best and more accurate information possible on him, so I feel it's a good pick.Here's his write up on NFL.com: no comments
With Roman Harper almost sure to be suspended and possibly Malcolm Jenkins as well I had been calling for the Saints to draft some depth at some point at safety. My wish was granted in the 5th round in Samford's SS Corey White. Once again the Saints found their target coming from a obscure school. When you read this guy's bio, you'll immediately think he's a carbon copy of Roman Harper.Here is his write up on NFL.com: no comments
With Robert Meachem no longer on the roster the Saints drafted in the 4th round to help shoulder the burden of his loss. Nick Toon, son of former Jets WR and NFL great Al Toon, is the newest member of the Who Dat Nation. Toon exploded for 926 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in his senior season at Wisconsin, emerging as Russell Wilson's primary target. He's a borderline 6'3" player with a great receiver frame that has very good potential to be a solid NFL receiver.Here's his write up on NFL.com: no comments
Well, of all places, I'm currently in Paris, France. My flight took off with about 5 picks to go till the Saints went at 89. Of course. Grrrrr... So I'm just catching up now. It looks like the Saints turned some heads and drafted Akiem Hicks in the 3rd round, of Regina University in Canada. Personally, I have no idea if the guy is good or not because I've never seen him play, but at the very least his unknown background has to impress you yet again with the Saints' research department. Clearly they turn over every stone and discover talent any place they can find it. Here is the write up on Hicks on NFL.com, who has the size to play DT and the athleticism to play DE: no comments
If you had tipped me off ahead of time about the insane amount of trading that happened in the draft last night, I probably would have watched with more interest. As previously discussed, the first round just wasn't as exciting this year without the Saints picking in it. Tonight are the 2nd and 3rd rounds, with the Saints picking just once late in the 3rd after having their 2nd pick revoked by Roger Goodell. You can check out a listing of the first 32 picks RIGHT HERE. Notable things about the draft:
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