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

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

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Cool. Hope we draft two in the first two rounds.

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I understand the thinking, but I personally disagree with that philosophy when it comes to positional depth in the draft

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yep, same.

A handful of those 25 D-line players Kiper has graded that high will also be a bust. That's just the way it is and has always been.

I think its great the position is loaded this year in the draft and we have a relatively high pick just outside of the Top 10. We should be able to get a really good player. No need to get cute and wait and see who falls and take a guy in the mid-to-late rounds in my opinion. I hope like hell we pick up a D-lineman in free agency who can come here and be a starter too. I think if we do that then we might not necessarily have to use the 1st pick on a D-line player. But even then I still think that it would be a good move. We had absolutely no depth on the line last year and to make matters worse the same could be said about the LB's too... because of the injuries.

I think its a no brainer on what position to take.. D-line first then LB second.

But I'm with you, we'll probably take a corner or something. LOL

Let's all agree we need a DT in this class. Thankfully it is deep. I've thought Austin Johnson in the 2nd could happen for a while, but he is moving up boards.

What do we have working for us? Time. Plenty of time to examine the medicals that come out on Jaylon Smith.

Maybe they come back TERRIBLE.
Maybe Myles Jack somehow falls? or DeForest Buckner? We don't pass on either.
Maybe a team looking for a QB needs to move up.

Maybe we fall in love with A'Shawn more so than the guys that COULD be there in the 2nd. I don't see a bad option for us in the 1st. There are at least 12 players that all could be great on this team.

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what do you think?

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Hypothetically speaking of course...it would depend on the entire team and how those stats were accrued.

A true NT if they are doubled on every snap I would not expect production but to simply root where he is to block rushing lanes and use his hands to disrupt passing lanes. If the play is flushed to him I expect him to make a move on it...otherwise anchor down and watch/anticipate the play.

His double team in a 3-4 front allows 1 on 1 situations for both DE's and your 1 rush LB. So in this perfect world scenario Cam Jordan and Kikaha would be responsible for generating the pass rush by beating their 1 blocker. Bobby Richardson would also be in a 1 on 1 but he is not someone who really makes you pay for that kind of thing. They would be your playmakers or any additional blitzer on that play.

Against the run...if we were 30th I would like to see where the big runs occurred...like a shot chart in basketball. Considering your NT takes up 2 blocks and the other QB doesnt block there are 10 defenders left for 7 blockers and 1 RB. If your big run hot spots are outside of the NT gap then I do not see how you blame the interior DL for someone else's gap responsibility. You may be giving up the big plays but it is not the NT that is at fault for it in that case.

**Now if your NT is being eliminated by 1 on 1 blocking then he would be at fault. A NT should never be taken out by 1 blocker. If the offense only puts 1 man on him the NT should be able to bull rush what is most likely a center and provide massive regret for the OC as his play gets blown the frick up.

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if we drafted A'Shawn Robinson or Sheldon Rankins, 12th overall

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I have already voiced my concerns over Robinson. I would not be happy drafting him.

Rankins is not a true NT IMO. He is a pass rushing DT capable of playing NT. He has actual disruptive pass rushing skills...however I do not think he can handle a double team and would need a player to take it from him. He would be best suited in a 4-3.

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Rankins is not a true NT IMO. He is a pass rushing DT capable of playing NT. He has actual disruptive pass rushing skills...however I do not think he can handle a double team and would need a player to take it from him. He would be best suited in a 4-3

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You just said you want a DT that's going to get double. Now you want one who's going to beat the double team ?



Aaron Donald is 285 lbs.

Give me speed, power, and technique over some fat blob

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.