Started By
Message

Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis lay out vision for Saints draft class

Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:08 pm
Posted by GMoney2600
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2005
14088 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:08 pm
LINK

When the New Orleans Saints are on the clock for the NFL draft, they're re-analyzing dozens of pieces of information about prospects.

But this year, there was one question that some teams had a hard time answering: Do his medicals check out?

With no NFL combine evaluations, the potential for a larger-than-normal gamble was on the table. But the Saints played it relatively safe as it pertained to the medicals of their six-person draft class.

"Medically, this is a class that is clean," coach Sean Payton said after the draft, "obviously, we feel like they are talented. I like the fact that each one of these picks are prototyped relative to their position. I like the fact that we feel like it's a smart class, relative to what we're going to ask them to do."

What are they going to be asked to do? Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis ran through their immediate visions.

Payton said he sees Houston defensive end Payton Turner as a lengthy defensive end who can play at the end on either side.

Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner has position flexibility, too, Payton said. They envision him, at least for now, as someone who can play at will or mike linebacker, but they'll be starting him out at will.

Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo is going to work as an outside cornerback on the left side — which is what was projected since that's where the hole in the roster is.

"I don't know that I would say we're set (at the cornerback position), but this is a player that's going to come in and compete and develop," Loomis said of Adebo. "I think he does need some development."

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book is going to stay at quarterback, Payton said.

The Saints feel that Kentucky tackle Landon Young will be best at tackle, and will start out at left tackle, though, "he's smart enough to play both," Payton said.

Payton said South Alabama receiver Kawaan Baker has some position flex, considering he has lined up at multiple positions, but he'll start working on the outside first once rookie minicamps roll around.

"The key is getting them in the building and getting enough good football players in the building," Payton said. "And then the rest of it begins to sort itself out and you look back three years from now and you really get a chance to evaluate your class. I've said that before. So that's kind of the approach we took."

With the draft squarely in the rearview mirror, the Saints aren't done filling out the roster. The Saints added six draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents into the fold, putting the roster at 79 players as New Orleans heads into the spring — 11 fewer than the NFL-mandated maximum of 90 players.

One position to watch the Saints make moves at is the cornerback position. Even though the Saints drafted Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo in the third round, New Orleans still could use more depth there. Ahead of the draft, the Saints only had four cornerbacks on the roster: Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore, 33-year-old veteran Patrick Robinson, Grant Haley and P.J. Williams.

"I would not say we are definitely going to, but I would not also discount that we might look to sign another player," Payton said regarding the cornerback position. "We didn't fill up every spot in free agency with the undrafted players because there's still a grade that we're looking to sign. We'll have enough, clearly we'll have enough, wiggle room as most teams will heading into spring."

Five-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman remains on the market, and he has said the Saints have engaged with him. Though, the Saints' salary cap situation looms large over any potential signing of that magnitude. Sherman — even at the age of 33 — would likely command a salary of at least $7 million. As of Monday, the Saints only have $529,494 in available cap space.

Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166087 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:12 pm to
quote:

would likely command a salary of at least $7 million. As of Monday, the Saints only have $529,494 in available cap space.



I don't want to push any more fake cap into future year's numbers.
Posted by Vacherie Saint
Member since Aug 2015
39372 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:15 pm to
quote:

Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner has position flexibility, too, Payton said. They envision him, at least for now, as someone who can play at will or mike linebacker, but they'll be starting him out at will.


This surprises me. I was thinking mike or Sam all the way.
Posted by Delusional
Member since Dec 2018
4316 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:16 pm to
7M...might as well have kept Jenkins at that price. No way that happens.
Posted by moneyg
Member since Jun 2006
56342 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

But this year, there was one question that some teams had a hard time answering: Do his medicals check out?



I thought one of the questions about Turner was his inability to stay healthy, no?
Posted by NOSHAU
Member since Feb 2012
11849 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:19 pm to
quote:

Five-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman remains on the market, and he has said the Saints have engaged with him. Though, the Saints' salary cap situation looms large over any potential signing of that magnitude. Sherman — even at the age of 33 — would likely command a salary of at least $7 million. As of Monday, the Saints only have $529,494 in available cap space.
That is ridiculous. We could have kept Jackrabbit for that.

LINK /

Not sure why we did not sign Jackrabbit for that same contract with an added voidable year or two.
Posted by burdman
Louisiana
Member since Aug 2007
20685 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:40 pm to
quote:

I thought one of the questions about Turner was his inability to stay healthy, no?


I don't think so. If I remember correctly from what was posted that night, he missed 3 games in his college career because of injury. Also missed a few because of covid last year but I'm not counting that.

He had a knee injury in high school, but the injuries that caused him to miss those 3 games in college were hand & foot injuries.

If I'm misremembering, I'm sure someone will correct me.
Posted by Doug_H
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2013
2278 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:43 pm to
So who’s the Mike LB on this team if Werner is going to play at Will?

Davis is more Sam and Baun is also Will correct?
Posted by Chalkywhite84
New orleans
Member since Dec 2016
27018 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:48 pm to
You don't draft a sam linebacker in the 2nd round.
Posted by Chalkywhite84
New orleans
Member since Dec 2016
27018 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:51 pm to
quote:

So who’s the Mike LB on this team if Werner is going to play at Will?

Davis is more Sam and Baun is also Will correct?




Davis will probably play mike. Maybe they try baun at mike and davis at will with werner mixing in.

My guess is it will probably be davis and werner as your starters. Baun at sam.

Will be very interesting to see what they do with baun.
Posted by Lester Earl
Member since Nov 2003
278142 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:51 pm to
I think this pick kind of tellls you what they think about Baun
Posted by LSUFreek
Greater New Orleans
Member since Jan 2007
14731 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:01 pm to
quote:

"I don't know that I would say we're set (at the cornerback position)


Is this where the Richard Sherman/Kris Richard reunion rumors begin?
Posted by Chalkywhite84
New orleans
Member since Dec 2016
27018 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:10 pm to
No, they talked to sherman.

I don't think he signs with the saints unless he comes really cheap.

My guess is it will be another corner
Posted by Vacherie Saint
Member since Aug 2015
39372 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:18 pm to
Agreed. I was thinking he'd be the Mike and if he cant beat Baun out for Mike, he'd go to Sam. ESPN has him penciled in as our starting Mike already. LOL

I just didnt see DeMario moving to Mike again, but who knows? He was Mike in NY and was absolutely filthy there. We are also in 2 linebacker looks so often, I doubt it really matters.
Posted by Hester Carries
Member since Sep 2012
22390 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:23 pm to
quote:

Davis is more Sam and Baun is also Will correct?


They see Baun as a Mike
Posted by Vacherie Saint
Member since Aug 2015
39372 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:43 pm to
has the staff said this? its kind of a shock to read because his Wisconsin highlight tape is almost exclusively him playing stand up olb in their 3-4. He had something like 12 sacks his last season there.
Posted by LSUZombie
A Cemetery Near You
Member since Apr 2008
28874 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 5:47 pm to
quote:

I think this pick kind of tellls you what they think about Baun


You're getting some downvotes, but I agree with you. I think they are trying to play Baun in the wrong position and make him a traditional linebacker when he needs to be rushing the passer.
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
29862 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 6:55 pm to
quote:

Five-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman remains on the market, and he has said the Saints have engaged with him. Though, the Saints' salary cap situation looms large over any potential signing of that magnitude. Sherman — even at the age of 33 — would likely command a salary of at least $7 million. As of Monday, the Saints only have $529,494 in available cap space.


thats unpossible, lots of ST gurus here keep saying he is worth any price because he is the best to ever play the game ever.

to them it doesnt matter if he is old and slow and no longer any good. and they ignore that is why he isnt on a team now, they keep telling me he is still the same guy he was 10 years ago
This post was edited on 5/3/21 at 6:56 pm
Posted by rondo
Worst. Poster. Evar.
Member since Jan 2004
77404 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 7:00 pm to
quote:

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book is going to stay at quarterback, Payton said.



As opposed to???

Wtf else would he play?
Posted by Hester Carries
Member since Sep 2012
22390 posts
Posted on 5/3/21 at 7:03 pm to
quote:

has the staff said this?


Yes. Nick Underhill has said it many times as well
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram