re: Why is everyone sold on Akiem Hicks being a solid 3-4 DE?

If it helps, on NFL Network they showed the Saints depth chart(actually depth chart in the Saints draft war room) and had Smith/Bunkley/Jordan as starters and Hicks as Smith's backup with Johnson as Bunkley's backup(though I think both backups could play either spot).

And as mentioned we signed Coleman to help play end.

I think we are pretty set on the line but may want to draft someone in a later round to have a young guy for next year when Smith and Coleman are gone.