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Saints have left a conspicuous Alontae-sized gap in their defense
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:26 am
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:26 am
Which has convinced me they're targeting Caleb Downs in the draft. They took care of the other glaring needs (OG and RB) and FA losses (Ellis for Demario). But for some reason they didn't sign even a lower tier replacement for Alontae Taylor, the most valuable free agent that we lost. Suspicious...
You can't convince me his replacement is on the team, we have zero evidence Sanker, Riley, Stalbird, Kool Aid, or whoever can play the same role (even if they draft Mansoor Delane). Downs would fit that position like a glove. Heck, if Downs is gone, I wouldn't be stunned if they drafted Dillon Thieneman instead. He'd be a reach but not a big one, and he could step into that role as well.
You can't convince me his replacement is on the team, we have zero evidence Sanker, Riley, Stalbird, Kool Aid, or whoever can play the same role (even if they draft Mansoor Delane). Downs would fit that position like a glove. Heck, if Downs is gone, I wouldn't be stunned if they drafted Dillon Thieneman instead. He'd be a reach but not a big one, and he could step into that role as well.
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Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:41 am to Burt Macklin
quote:
But for some reason they didn't sign even a lower tier replacement for Alontae Taylor
?? he was one of first players they re-signed, Julian blackmon
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:41 am to Burt Macklin
Blackmon is kind of built for that role and Staley loves him.. but I tend to agree that Downs would be perfect for that role and allow Staley to disguise things to create harder looks for QBs
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:50 am to Burt Macklin
quote:I think we are targeting Downs with the sentiment that Bailey/ Styles will be gone. Not sure if we take Downs > either of those guys if available.
Which has convinced me they're targeting Caleb Downs in the draft.
We resigned Blackmon and are probably going to draft a CB in that role. L'Jarius Sneed was also released by the Titans and is a potential option for temporary depth.
Developing a strong pass rush/ LB core helps our DB's.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:52 am to Burt Macklin
quote:
Suspicious...
Not really. They likely just didn’t like any of the options at the price. Happens all the time.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:57 am to Burt Macklin
I think its BPA. We have a need at edge, CB/safety, WR, and arguably RG.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:58 am to Proximo
quote:
?? he was one of first players they re-signed, Julian blackmon
Please. Blackmon is coming off a season-ending injury (after multiple injuries in prior seasons) and doesn't play a STAR-like role, he's more of a free saftey.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:07 am to Burt Macklin
quote:
and doesn't play a STAR-like role, he's more of a free saftey.
he does and can play a star role. alontae was also more of a boundary corner and filled in some gaps and got moved around too. blackmon was the guy who can in and was an immediate starter when honeybadger left. I think the staff thinks highly of him and know what he is.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:12 am to Burt Macklin
I believe that a possible solution will likely be picked up in the draft, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the first round. Alontae was a second round pick, and there is some nice DB talent that is projecting in rounds 2-4.
I really like Downs as well, and I would be perfectly happy with him in this defense. I would LOVE to be able to trade back and pick up Dillon Thieneman and an extra pick. The difference between Downs and Thieneman is not as big as some believe. Thieneman is actually a bit better of an athlete, although I would still give the edge on instincts to Downs.
Downs is also a better tackler.
I still think that the difference is close enough that if you can get Thieneman……plus an extra pick, that’s a win. That said…….we all know Micky isn’t going to trade back lol.
In terms of positional value, I think that if an edge player (other than Bain) falls to us……that’s the pick, but if not I would imagine that Lemon gets serious consideration.
Whatever route they choose, it should definitely make for an interesting draft this year
I really like Downs as well, and I would be perfectly happy with him in this defense. I would LOVE to be able to trade back and pick up Dillon Thieneman and an extra pick. The difference between Downs and Thieneman is not as big as some believe. Thieneman is actually a bit better of an athlete, although I would still give the edge on instincts to Downs.
Downs is also a better tackler.
I still think that the difference is close enough that if you can get Thieneman……plus an extra pick, that’s a win. That said…….we all know Micky isn’t going to trade back lol.
In terms of positional value, I think that if an edge player (other than Bain) falls to us……that’s the pick, but if not I would imagine that Lemon gets serious consideration.
Whatever route they choose, it should definitely make for an interesting draft this year
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:19 am to Burt Macklin
We bout to draft a nickel back with the eighth overall pick?!?!
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:20 am to Burt Macklin
I don’t think there is any chance the Saints are going into the draft banking on a single player still being there at 8. If you throw Delane in there, at least one of them will likely be there at 8, but still, they’re not gonna put themselves in a position to where they have to pass on BPA at a different position of need because they HAVE to come away with a starter at a particular position. Just not how we’ve ever operated.
I could see them going in planning to take Downs or Delane because the guys they may value more like Styles or Bain or whoever are likely to be gone, but if a guy slips they like better, they’re gonna take that guy. So they’ll have a backup plan in that case. There will still be plenty of unsigned vet free agent DBs that are versatile enough to be used like Taylor. Their demands have likely been higher than the market for them so far, so they—and teams—might want to see how the draft goes before circling back to them. I’d be shocked if Mickey hasn’t already talked to 4 or 5 of their agents already to gauge interest. Still a month and a week from the draft—they could still sign one. But if not, I bet they do a day or 2 after the draft.
They very well may draft Downs. But there’s just no way they’re putting all their eggs in that basket.
I could see them going in planning to take Downs or Delane because the guys they may value more like Styles or Bain or whoever are likely to be gone, but if a guy slips they like better, they’re gonna take that guy. So they’ll have a backup plan in that case. There will still be plenty of unsigned vet free agent DBs that are versatile enough to be used like Taylor. Their demands have likely been higher than the market for them so far, so they—and teams—might want to see how the draft goes before circling back to them. I’d be shocked if Mickey hasn’t already talked to 4 or 5 of their agents already to gauge interest. Still a month and a week from the draft—they could still sign one. But if not, I bet they do a day or 2 after the draft.
They very well may draft Downs. But there’s just no way they’re putting all their eggs in that basket.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:23 am to Burt Macklin
I am sure Downs is high on their board, but I doubt they are specifically not signing a player to fit that role because they are targeting him at 8.
Alontae was a 2nd round pick that was drafted to play outside. He then had to fill the void after trading CJGJ (who was a 4th rounder) the year prior and they were juggling bodies in that position.
Alontae was a 2nd round pick that was drafted to play outside. He then had to fill the void after trading CJGJ (who was a 4th rounder) the year prior and they were juggling bodies in that position.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:24 am to Weekend Warrior79
Wonder if Reid has the capability to move to star if the accommodation made sense.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:28 am to Burt Macklin
We have about six players in the secondary on reserve, IR or the PT that we’re not cut. I’m thinking the Saints are keeping them for reasons I don’t know. The team had more time to figure out what to do than us fans. I think they have a plan.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:32 am to Burt Macklin
We aren’t going to replace Taylor with one guy. Not wven Downs
They’ll get a nickel and go from there
They’ll get a nickel and go from there
Posted on 3/16/26 at 10:41 am to GynoSandberg
we have more than a first round draft pick. Im sure we will look at adding depth.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 11:33 am to Hot Carl
quote:
I don’t think there is any chance the Saints are going into the draft banking on a single player still being there at 8.
I don't think any team outside of 1-2 banks on a single player still being there.
Teams will definitely have different tiers and groupings of players.
I don't think anyone denies that Downs is on the tier with Bailey/ Styles and Delane/ Bain are toss ups.
We aren't banking on X player being available but we are banking on choosing X player > X player.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 11:58 am to Burt Macklin
Posted on 3/16/26 at 12:07 pm to Burt Macklin
6 is dumb.
I think another boundary corner is pretty important.
I think another boundary corner is pretty important.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 12:14 pm to GynoSandberg
Eh I disagree. I’m not trying to downgrade Taylor’s role, but he was very average in coverage. Made some plays, but gave up a bunch. He was a good blitzed, but I think that was more scheme that him being special in that role.
He was a good player, but I think his “highs” were more scheming to his strengths than him being a irreplaceable player.
That said, drafting a guy like Downs in the top ten to fill his role is a compliment to Taylor. I think a guys like Downs can do everything Taylor did with better coverage ability.
He was a good player, but I think his “highs” were more scheming to his strengths than him being a irreplaceable player.
That said, drafting a guy like Downs in the top ten to fill his role is a compliment to Taylor. I think a guys like Downs can do everything Taylor did with better coverage ability.
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