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Do the Saints really need a DT at No. 12?

Posted on 2/25/16 at 6:02 am
Posted by NFLU
New Orleans, LA
Member since Aug 2014
5787 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 6:02 am
With the amazing depth this draft class has?

Kiper & McShay (take it for what it's worth) both said they haven't seen a more loaded defensive line class in years.

Kiper stated he had 25 defensive line prospects with first or second round grades.

Todd said he had 16 defensive tackles ranked in his Top 100 overall.

Maybe a linebacker or wide receiver is the move.
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
11214 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 6:07 am to
The first and probably second round should always be Best Available Player. It's been proven time and time again that drafting based off of Need makes a team reach and when they reach, they draft Jonathan Sullivans....
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64698 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 7:25 am to
As chad said "Get the player/s that plays the SACK THE QUARTERBACK position".

Or something like that.
Posted by JB2010
San Antonio
Member since Aug 2009
943 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 7:34 am to
I'd say so. We have a 1st round DE already. But nowhere near that at DT. I know everyone really wants a pass rusher every year, but we also need to stop letting the QB step up in the pocket when Cam does beat his man. And the run def.......
Posted by SuperSoakher
Member since Jun 2012
4585 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 7:48 am to
I say yes because we just drafted 2 LBs in the first 2 rounds last year and we need a monster in the middle to eat up the blocks and let those backers roam and make plays
Posted by mm2316
New Orleans Pelicans Fan
Member since Aug 2010
6942 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 8:24 am to
quote:

With the amazing depth this draft class has?

I understand the thinking, but I personally disagree with that philosophy when it comes to positional depth in the draft. Just because A guy will be there later, doesn't mean THE guy will be there later. Meaning, no two guys are equal, especially at DT. Different guys have different strengths, weaknesses, and fit. Plus, if you skip DT thinking you can just "get one" later, and there is a run between your picks, you risk either reaching on one, or missing out on the quality of the position all together. If your guy is there at 12, and is the highest ranked on the board, go for him.

With that being said, DT isn't a MUST at 12. WLB and Edge rusher should also be in play there. Knowing the Saints though, they'll probably go with a lesser need like S or CB.
This post was edited on 2/25/16 at 9:22 am
Posted by Rickety Cricket
Premium Member
Member since Aug 2007
46883 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 8:51 am to
They need the BPA
Posted by Weekend Warrior79
Member since Aug 2014
16656 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 9:15 am to
I believe the Saints do NEED a DT at 12, IF that DT is the BPA on their board. I do not believe this team can overlook anyone on the D-line at 12 because there is a chance they will have a good quality player available in the 2nd round.

If I were the GM of the team, because of the depth of the position in this draft, I would strongly consider going DT in both 1st & 2nd rounds. Having a strong interior line drastically helps your DEs & OLBers; where as, you can have Von Miller & Ware on the outside, but without the push up the middle from DTs & 3-4 DEs they will never get to the QB.
Posted by DrewGOATBrees
Member since May 2015
76 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 9:23 am to
We need someone who will be elite. A gamechanger. On the defensive line. Our defense was so bad because quarterbacks had so long to throw. No matter how great your secondary is, they can't cover for 5+ seconds every single play because no one is getting to the quarterback.

And I'm tired of the "draft a WR in the first" narrative. Drew Brees just showed us he can get it done with literal walk ons. Give him another guard and we'll have 4/5 solid starters on the line and Drew will tear apart the defense apart like usual. He's showed his whole career he doesn't need great receivers to win games. The defense is holding us back.
Posted by LisbethSalander
NOLA
Member since Feb 2016
153 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 9:27 am to
Triplet just put out that he has D Tackle at 3rd most important position to upgrade, behind DE and OLB, unsure about the order yet though. I don't believe we have to go DT here, we have to get the guy we feel will be best at one of these 3 positions though. I say that because it just so happens the Scouts Inc has 15 of their top 32 prospects in this draft play those 3 positions, so we should be able to find a top player that fills a serious need. also, 21 of the top 50 play those 3, so we don't have to circle a position with the first pick. Obviously these rankings will change after the combine and will continue to shift throughout the lead up to the draft, but it's very promising that the draft is loaded with talent at spots where we need it.
Posted by Solo
Member since Aug 2008
8247 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 9:33 am to
BPA unless a QB slips, then trade down.

BPA at 12 could end up being Treadwell, so Saints fans need to prepare themselves.
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
24934 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 9:52 am to
It's been a busy year, so I don't know much about the players in this draft yet. I do know that a few of the "experts" are saying that the DL is the strongest in many years with 1st round type guys being available in Rds 2-3.


If this is the case, then I believe we go BPA at some other position. WR, OG, S, CB, OLB, TE are all need spots. Unless there's an all-world DL at 12, I would go with one of these other positions first.

Then again, our DL needs 2 players, so why not got DL 2 out of the first 3 rounds? Since it is this strong, let's solidify the line.
Posted by The Sad Banana
The gate is narrow.
Member since Jul 2008
89498 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 10:58 am to
I'd love the Saints to be able to find a DT that can disrupt the pocket. Get in there and throw the timing off or screw with rhythm. The Saints let far too many below average QB's destroy them in the passing game.
This post was edited on 2/25/16 at 10:59 am
Posted by htran90
BC
Member since Dec 2012
30200 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 11:14 am to
We talk about it every year, but this year seems an ideal time to move back and pick up a 3rd or 2nd, even if it means missing out on Treadwell or Smith.

Assuming our #1 need, which I think many can agree on, is DT. At 12, we miss out on Buckner, but there are so many other comparable 1st round DTs that having the pick of the litter may or may not matter at 12 compared to say 22.

I say 22 because that is where the lovely QB-less Houston Texans are. At 12, if a guy like Lynch is available (I say that because Goff is probably the 2nd overall pick) and Houston is afraid another QB-needy team like the Eagles (13) or Rams (15) may take him and he's there guy, I think they would give up a pick to move up.

According to the "draft value" chart, our 12th values at 1200, their 22 values at 780, and their 2nd rounder (52nd) values at 380.
Posted by saintsfan22
baton rouge
Member since May 2006
71979 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 12:23 pm to
quote:

Kiper stated he had 25 defensive line prospects with first or second round grades.

Todd said he had 16 defensive tackles ranked in his Top 100 overall.


But if an Aaron Donald is at the top of that group and the back half of that is good/decent rotational guys, go get Aaron Donald.
Posted by LSUZombie
A Cemetery Near You
Member since Apr 2008
28923 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 2:45 pm to
quote:

Kiper stated he had 25 defensive line prospects with first or second round grades.



Cool. Hope we draft two in the first two rounds.
Posted by tzimme4
Metairie
Member since Jan 2008
28620 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 3:49 pm to
Absolutely, Bobby Richardson can't do it all by himself
Posted by deuce985
Member since Feb 2008
27660 posts
Posted on 2/25/16 at 6:31 pm to
If a position has high value in the draft where you can get quality guys in the 2nd or 3rd then you go with best player available in the draft. If that's a DT, take him but you should seriously consider how deep the DL class is before you draft one whereas if you took an amazing LB that has equal value it might be a smarter pick due to how deep it is on DL.

DT is one of the highest bust % in the NFL coming from draft too. They're not an easy position to evaluate compared to something like LB where they're usually considered safer picks.
This post was edited on 2/25/16 at 6:35 pm
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