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Started By
Message
re: 2013 New Orleans Saints Offseason Thread
Posted on 1/7/13 at 12:55 am to RaginCajunsULL
Posted on 1/7/13 at 12:55 am to RaginCajunsULL
Offense continues....
****Wide Receivers****:
Tavon Austin, Senior, West Virginia (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Austin benefits from the wide-open offensive attack brought to West Virginia, or perfected there, by Dana Holgorsen. Austin has a similar skill set to Percy Harvin, in that he can line up out wide, in the slot, or in the backfield. He would likely fill a Lance Moore-type role in New Orleans.
Ryan Swope, Senior, Texas A&M (Overall Pos. Rank: 8) Video Highlight
Some have Swope pegged as a fourth-round talent in this year's draft. Others are not sure what to do with him. Swope is the least explosive of any of the players on this list.
He would bring a slightly different dynamic to the Saints' receiving corps. He would be their first true slot receiver. While the others would bring explosion back to the offense, Swope would guarantee the team remains a first-down machine.
Ace Sanders, Senior, South Carolina (Overall Pos. Rank: 10) Video Highlight
Much like Robinson, Sanders' initial role in New Orleans primarily consist of returning kicks. He does that better than anyone in the college game currently. Over time, though, he could grow into a vertical receiving weapon.
Denard Robinson, Senior, Michigan (Overall Pos. Rank: 11) Video Highlight
I know it seems like an unlikely fit. But the Saints are not as conventional as one might think. Robinson might provide a little wrinkle that the Saints offense could use in the future. Of course, Robinson would be brought in mostly to learn how to play a slot receiver-type role and return kicks.
Others: Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech Video Highlight
****Tight Ends****:
Levine Toilolo, Senior, Stanford (Overall Pos. Rank: 1) Video Highlight
Levine Toilolo is 8' tall, runs a 4-flat 40 and jumps 10 feet. OK, none of those are true, but they all seem true when watching the man play football. He really is a giant at 6'8", 265 lbs. He does run very fast for his size and has great hops.
He is a wonderful athlete and any team would love to have him. The Saints could do worse in their quest to find a consistent third tight end.
Zach Ertz, Senior, Stanford (Overall Pos. Rank: 3) Video Highlight
In case you hadn't realized it, Stanford became 'Tight End U' the past few years. The 2013 draft will make the second consecutive year the team has two tight ends drafted. Not two players, two tight ends. Ertz may not be the freak that Toilolo is, but he might actually be the better football player.
Dion Sims, Senior, Michigan State (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Dion Sims is another freak of nature, this time out of the Big Ten and Michigan State. Sims stands 6'5", 285 lbs. He may as well be a guard or center. But he has the ability to move in space and block, really well. And if necessary he can even catch a pass. He's the perfect fit for the Saints.
Joseph Fauria, Senior, UCLA (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Fauria is another favorite of mine, again not only because he's a UCLA Bruin. He is pretty much the opposite of the three previous players mentioned. Fauria is an elite stretch-the-field tight end. He has great leaping ability and ball skills. He is nearly as Toilolo and would give the Saints a Patriots-type look at the tight end position.
Mychal Rivera, Senior, Tennessee (Overall Pos. Rank: 6) Video Highlight
Rivera is a player who grew by leaps and bounds from the time he initially stepped on campus in Knoxville. When he first saw game action, he routinely hurt his team. This season he was the team's most consistent weapon in the passing game and more than an able blocker. The Saints could do a lot worse at the position
****Wide Receivers****:
Tavon Austin, Senior, West Virginia (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Austin benefits from the wide-open offensive attack brought to West Virginia, or perfected there, by Dana Holgorsen. Austin has a similar skill set to Percy Harvin, in that he can line up out wide, in the slot, or in the backfield. He would likely fill a Lance Moore-type role in New Orleans.
Ryan Swope, Senior, Texas A&M (Overall Pos. Rank: 8) Video Highlight
Some have Swope pegged as a fourth-round talent in this year's draft. Others are not sure what to do with him. Swope is the least explosive of any of the players on this list.
He would bring a slightly different dynamic to the Saints' receiving corps. He would be their first true slot receiver. While the others would bring explosion back to the offense, Swope would guarantee the team remains a first-down machine.
Ace Sanders, Senior, South Carolina (Overall Pos. Rank: 10) Video Highlight
Much like Robinson, Sanders' initial role in New Orleans primarily consist of returning kicks. He does that better than anyone in the college game currently. Over time, though, he could grow into a vertical receiving weapon.
Denard Robinson, Senior, Michigan (Overall Pos. Rank: 11) Video Highlight
I know it seems like an unlikely fit. But the Saints are not as conventional as one might think. Robinson might provide a little wrinkle that the Saints offense could use in the future. Of course, Robinson would be brought in mostly to learn how to play a slot receiver-type role and return kicks.
Others: Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech Video Highlight
****Tight Ends****:
Levine Toilolo, Senior, Stanford (Overall Pos. Rank: 1) Video Highlight
Levine Toilolo is 8' tall, runs a 4-flat 40 and jumps 10 feet. OK, none of those are true, but they all seem true when watching the man play football. He really is a giant at 6'8", 265 lbs. He does run very fast for his size and has great hops.
He is a wonderful athlete and any team would love to have him. The Saints could do worse in their quest to find a consistent third tight end.
Zach Ertz, Senior, Stanford (Overall Pos. Rank: 3) Video Highlight
In case you hadn't realized it, Stanford became 'Tight End U' the past few years. The 2013 draft will make the second consecutive year the team has two tight ends drafted. Not two players, two tight ends. Ertz may not be the freak that Toilolo is, but he might actually be the better football player.
Dion Sims, Senior, Michigan State (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Dion Sims is another freak of nature, this time out of the Big Ten and Michigan State. Sims stands 6'5", 285 lbs. He may as well be a guard or center. But he has the ability to move in space and block, really well. And if necessary he can even catch a pass. He's the perfect fit for the Saints.
Joseph Fauria, Senior, UCLA (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Fauria is another favorite of mine, again not only because he's a UCLA Bruin. He is pretty much the opposite of the three previous players mentioned. Fauria is an elite stretch-the-field tight end. He has great leaping ability and ball skills. He is nearly as Toilolo and would give the Saints a Patriots-type look at the tight end position.
Mychal Rivera, Senior, Tennessee (Overall Pos. Rank: 6) Video Highlight
Rivera is a player who grew by leaps and bounds from the time he initially stepped on campus in Knoxville. When he first saw game action, he routinely hurt his team. This season he was the team's most consistent weapon in the passing game and more than an able blocker. The Saints could do a lot worse at the position
This post was edited on 1/7/13 at 3:39 pm
1
Posted on 1/7/13 at 12:55 am to RaginCajunsULL
Offense Continues....
****Offensive Tackles & Guards****:
Eric Fisher, Senior, Central Michigan (Overall Pos. Rank: 3) Video Highlight
It's a good sign when a superior play dominates his competition the way Eric Fisher has done in the MAC this season. Of course, the MAC was actually very solid competition this fall. Still, Fisher has proven to be an elite talent.
Taylor Lewan (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Lewan is a guy who is easy to overlook. He isn't a sexy pick, even among the "big uglies." But he always does a formidable job. Because of his workman-like nature he will likely garner a first-round pick, though he is probably more of a second-round player. Still, he is a plug-and-play guy from day one in the NFL, most likely at right tackle.
D.J. Fluker, Senior, Alabama (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Fluker is another right tackle candidate, if the Saints choose to address that area in the upcoming offseason. Some may be of the opinion that Fluker is Alabama's best offensive lineman despite playing the right tackle spot.
Oday Aboushi, Senior, Virginia (Overall Pos. Rank: 6) Video Highlight
Aboushi comes from Virgnia, a place known for advancing tackles to the next level. He will not be as highly rated, which is probably a good thing. His expectations will not be as high as his predecessors. A possibility exists that Aboushi could play either side of the line. If so, he'd be another good fit in New Orleans.
****Centers****:
Barrett Jones, Senior, Alabama (Pos. Rank: 1 Video Highlight
Many draft experts are not as high on Jones as the national media is, nor as I am. Jones' work at Alabama is impressive and his versatility rare and almost unrivaled. Playing other spots makes Jones better as a center. That experience could be invaluable at the NFL level.
I almost included Jones in the tackle/guard section as well. He could have fit there, but I remembered I needed to include another tackle, and that Jones could easily fit here too. That's one of the beauties of a versatile O-lineman like him.
Mario Benavides, Senior, Louisville (Pos. Rank: 2) Video Highlight
Benavides isn't a sexy, must-have prospect for most NFL teams. But he would fit perfectly in New Orleans. At Louisville, he is not asked to move much. But in a "phone booth" he shows off good strength and agility to move his defender side-to-side and rarely get power-rushed. He is a really fine pass protector.
Again, he would fit in New Orleans very well, where the Saints don't ask their center to move much either.
Khaled Holmes, Senior, Southern Cal (Pos Rank: 3) Video Highlight
Holmes is an overrated prospect at this point. He is regularly seen getting blown off the ball by interior defenders. But he does possess the talent necessary to play in the NFL. It would take a good coach to get it out of him I suspect.
Braxston Cave, Senior, Notre Dame (Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Much like Benavides, Cave appears to be a good fit for what New Orleans likes to do offensively, especially with their centers. As a big, strong young man, Cave can anchor at the point of attack and move his defender where he wants him.
Graham Pocic, Senior, Illinois (Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
One thing Ron Zook did a wonderful job of in his time at Illinois was recruiting and developing NFL-caliber players. Pocic is yet another example of that. There's little doubt he'll fit in the league somewhere.
****Offensive Tackles & Guards****:
Eric Fisher, Senior, Central Michigan (Overall Pos. Rank: 3) Video Highlight
It's a good sign when a superior play dominates his competition the way Eric Fisher has done in the MAC this season. Of course, the MAC was actually very solid competition this fall. Still, Fisher has proven to be an elite talent.
Taylor Lewan (Overall Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Lewan is a guy who is easy to overlook. He isn't a sexy pick, even among the "big uglies." But he always does a formidable job. Because of his workman-like nature he will likely garner a first-round pick, though he is probably more of a second-round player. Still, he is a plug-and-play guy from day one in the NFL, most likely at right tackle.
D.J. Fluker, Senior, Alabama (Overall Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
Fluker is another right tackle candidate, if the Saints choose to address that area in the upcoming offseason. Some may be of the opinion that Fluker is Alabama's best offensive lineman despite playing the right tackle spot.
Oday Aboushi, Senior, Virginia (Overall Pos. Rank: 6) Video Highlight
Aboushi comes from Virgnia, a place known for advancing tackles to the next level. He will not be as highly rated, which is probably a good thing. His expectations will not be as high as his predecessors. A possibility exists that Aboushi could play either side of the line. If so, he'd be another good fit in New Orleans.
****Centers****:
Barrett Jones, Senior, Alabama (Pos. Rank: 1 Video Highlight
Many draft experts are not as high on Jones as the national media is, nor as I am. Jones' work at Alabama is impressive and his versatility rare and almost unrivaled. Playing other spots makes Jones better as a center. That experience could be invaluable at the NFL level.
I almost included Jones in the tackle/guard section as well. He could have fit there, but I remembered I needed to include another tackle, and that Jones could easily fit here too. That's one of the beauties of a versatile O-lineman like him.
Mario Benavides, Senior, Louisville (Pos. Rank: 2) Video Highlight
Benavides isn't a sexy, must-have prospect for most NFL teams. But he would fit perfectly in New Orleans. At Louisville, he is not asked to move much. But in a "phone booth" he shows off good strength and agility to move his defender side-to-side and rarely get power-rushed. He is a really fine pass protector.
Again, he would fit in New Orleans very well, where the Saints don't ask their center to move much either.
Khaled Holmes, Senior, Southern Cal (Pos Rank: 3) Video Highlight
Holmes is an overrated prospect at this point. He is regularly seen getting blown off the ball by interior defenders. But he does possess the talent necessary to play in the NFL. It would take a good coach to get it out of him I suspect.
Braxston Cave, Senior, Notre Dame (Pos. Rank: 4) Video Highlight
Much like Benavides, Cave appears to be a good fit for what New Orleans likes to do offensively, especially with their centers. As a big, strong young man, Cave can anchor at the point of attack and move his defender where he wants him.
Graham Pocic, Senior, Illinois (Pos. Rank: 5) Video Highlight
One thing Ron Zook did a wonderful job of in his time at Illinois was recruiting and developing NFL-caliber players. Pocic is yet another example of that. There's little doubt he'll fit in the league somewhere.
This post was edited on 1/7/13 at 3:52 pm
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