re: 2013 New Orleans Saints Offseason Thread

Position-by-Position 2013 NFL Draft Big Board for the New Orleans Saints

*******Offense******

****Quarterbacks****:

Ryan Nassib, Senior, Syracuse (Overall Pos. Rank: 2) Video Highlight
Nassib comes from a pro-ready system and from former Saints' offensive coordinator Doug Marrone. If the Saints really wanted to draft Drew Brees' replacement early in this draft, Nassib would be their best bet. He is my No. 2 QB overall, behind only West Virginia senior Geno Smith. He should be a second-round pick.

Tyler Wilson, Senior, Arkansas (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Wilson had a disappointing senior season after an overwhelming junior campaign. His draft stock dropped significantly in my view. As a junior he was my top QB. As a senior, fourth. It's probably irrelevant, though, as many scouts are now projecting him as the top QB, for some reason. He should be an end-of-the-second or early-third round pick.

Zac Dysert, Senior, Miami (Ohio) (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
He should be a third-round pick.

Landry Jones, Senior, Oklahoma (Overall Pos. Rank: 6) Video Highlight
He should be a fourth-round pick

****Running Backs****:
Mike Gilislee, Senior, Florida (Overall Pos. Rank: 1) Video Highlight
Gilislee might be the most balanced back in this year's draft (assuming Marcus Lattimore stays at South Carolina to rehabilitate his knee rather than go pro). He combines speed with power, great vision and feet to the best natural runner. He is also good in pass protection and able to catch the ball out of the backfield.

Jonathan Franklin, Senior, UCLA (Overall Pos. Rank: 2) Video Highlight
I swear this has less to do with my UCLA alum for a father and die-hard Bruin fan-hood up until I graduated from San Diego State. Instead, I have watched plenty of Franklin and noticed that he really is a cross between the Saints' Darren Sproles (mostly size and body structure with some of how he is used) and Pierre Thomas (great in between the tackles and screen back).

Eddie Lacy, Junior, Alabama (Overall Pos. Rank: 3) Video Highlight
Draft experts have recognized that at running back it is best for a player to come out if given the choice. The fewer carries he has on him when he enters the NFL, the longer he can potentially contribute and produce. For that reason, Lacy should declare and land high on the lists of NFL franchises, especially those needy for a running back.

Giovanni Bernard, Junior, North Carolina (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Many have Bernard as their best running back in this year's class. I do not understand the hype. To me, Bernard's success is mostly due to Larry Fedora's brilliant offensive system and the best guard in this year's class (Jonathan Cooper). Still Bernard shows flashes of brilliance.

Joseph Randle, Senior, Oklahoma State (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Randle has caught my eye lately. He has really carried the Oklahoma State offense, which has started three different quarterbacks in the 2012 campaign and still had tremendous success. It's because Randle is a rock.