re: 2013 New Orleans Saints Offseason Thread

******Defense******

****Defensive Tackles****:
Sheldon Richardson, Senior, Missouri (Overall Pos. Rank: 4)
Based on his play this season, it seems unlikely that Sedrick Ellis will be re-upped this offseason by the New Orleans Saints. Stepping into his place, or at least into a rotation spot opened by his departure could be Missouri's Sheldon Richardson. Richardson has a great motor and could really be everything Ellis was meant to be, only picked in the late teens to early 20s, which would mean even if he produced at the same level as Ellis, he would not be considered a bust.

Kawann Short, Senior, Purdue (Overall Pos. Rank: 5)
Short is not short, nor is he short on promise. He must live up to his potential though. He screams bust, which is probably why his stock has fallen since the beginning of his senior campaign. He is still seen as a wonderful prospect.

Shariff Floyd, Junior, Florida (Overall Pos. Rank: 6)
Aside from some of the interesting off-the-field issues that have surrounded Floyd, the junior defensive tackle from Florida has proven to be everything a coach could want in his three seasons at Florida.
The kid is highly productive and has a chance to become another great defensive player from the University of Florida. Of course, I noted on Twitter Tuesday, I'd take the entire Florida defense if I could.

Datone Jones, Senior, UCLA (Overall Pos. Rank: 7)
Jones is an interesting kid. He is probably UCLA's best player overall, but for some reason doesn't get the acclaim of others. Some of that is the result of the curse of playing in a 3-4 defense flanked by playmakers such as Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks (brother of Mychal who is an Eagles' rookie). Jones appears to be a more natural fit as a 4-3 end, but given the way Steve Spagnuolo likes to move his ends inside on passing downs, he could be an excellent fit in New Orleans' base 4-3 attack.

Sylvester Williams, Senior, North Carolina (Overall Pos. Rank: 8)
Williams is yet another in a long line of productive defensive line talents who played their college ball in the Tar Heel state. Many of them played in Raleigh for the Wolfpack, but there have been some great ones from Carolina (Lawrence Taylor anyone?) as well. Williams will look to continue that trend and represent his state well. Could he be doing so in New Orleans?

****Defensive Ends****:
Dion Jordan, Senior, Oregon (Overall Pos. Rank: 3)
Some may not like Dion Jordan as much as I do because of perceived limitations. For me, those limitations only exist if a coach doesn't know how to use Jordan. He is the preeminent talent at the position in this draft. Yes, he has some ability to drop and play in coverage, but those abilities should be harnessed by using them in special situations only. He is a pass-rusher first and foremost. He would fit in Steve Spagnuolo's defense beautifully.

Sam Montgomery, Senior, LSU (Overall Pos. Rank: 4)
Montgomery is a base 4-3 end if I've ever seen one. He can play the run, he can rush the passer and can drop in coverage on a zone blitz if so desired. Some have questioned his toughness and work ethic, but there is little doubt he has the talent to succeed in the NFL.

Bjoern Werner, Senior, Florida State (Overall Pos. Rank: 5)
The only reason the German-born Werner is listed ahead of his teammates Tank Carradine and Brandon Jenkins is the knee injuries each sustained. Jenkins' timetable for recovery is obviously well ahead of Carradine's, who was only hurt this past weekend in the Seminoles' heart-breaking loss to arch-rival Florida. Still, Werner possesses a motor, and is probably a more talented version of former first-round pick David Pollack.

Alex Okafor, Senior, Texas (Overall Pos. Rank: 6)
Okafor teamed up Jackson Jeffcoat to make for a dynamic duo at Texas before the latter sustained a season-ending injury. Okafor, though, has all the tools to excel in the NFL. As a late first-round pick, the team could do a whole lot worse.

Tank Carradine, Senior, Florida State (Overall Pos. Rank: 7)
I've never really believed major injuries should derail a young man's stock, unless he clearly has not healed. With the advances in modern medicine, a player can return to full health, and is sometimes better for it (see Drew Brees). Carradine is a player who will be a steal late in the draft. As the seventh best defensive end on my board, I would love if the Saints took him in the sixth or seventh round. That would be great value.

****Linebackers****:
Here are the five best backers in this draft, at least who fit in a 4-3 scheme.

Kevin Minter, Senior, LSU (Overall Pos. Rank: 2)
It's very rare and difficult to find a player as productive as Kevin Minter has been at LSU in his senior season. Even more rare is it when that guy is playing on a defense full of future NFL players. Minter is the quintessential middle backer, but also seems to possess the sort of ability to move outside if asked to do so.

Kevin Reddick, Senior, North Carolina (Overall Pos. Rank: 3)
Similar to Minter above, Reddick has been very productive in his entire career at Carolina. And he shows some ability to move outside if called upon to do so.

Jonathan Bostic, Senior, Florida (Overall Pos. Rank: 4)
Bostic is another highly productive player at Florida. The tackles have been a bit more spread out there, in part because that defensive is so balanced and loaded with stars. But Bostic has proven to be a leader on that team and one of those under-the-radar types who is sure to last in the NFL for a decade, if not longer.

Khaseem Greene, Senior, Rutgers (Overall Pos. Rank: 5)
Greene has come on strong in his senior season at Rutgers as an outside linebacker. That's not to say he wasn't good his first three years, only that's he taken that next step and legitimized himself as a second day pick. If the Saints can grab him in the third round, it's almost a must-do.

Arthur Brown, Senior, Kansas State (Overall Pos. Rank: 6)
Arthur Brown is one of my favorite players in this draft overall. Though undersized, Brown plays tough and fast and is a ball hawk (something we all know the Saints are desperate for). He would appear to be a really nice fit for the Saints