Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
2014 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South
2013 proved once again that the NFC South is the most topsy-turvy division in football. The Atlanta Falcons went from the best record in the NFC in 2012 to last in the South with a 4-12 record. The Carolina Panthers overcame a 1-3 start to win the division and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints still have the best quarterback in the division with Drew Brees, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest splashes in the off season during free agency. It looks like things are going to keep flipping around in the NFC South once again.
Atlanta Falcons: B+ Best Pick: Jake Matthews Late Round Sleeper: DeVonta Freeman
The Falcons needed to shore up the offensive line and give Matt Ryan more time to pass and open holes to run through, and they did just that with the selection of Jake Matthews at #6 Overall. Matthews is a polished product and will step in right away. Ra'Shede Hageman could do the same on defense after falling out of Round 1. With the best years of Steven Jackson behind him, the running game got a hot in the arm with the selection of late round sleeper pick DeVonta Freeman, who played in a three back rotation at Florida State but he can be the go to back for the Falcons.
Carolina Panthers: B Best Pick: Kelvin Benjamin Late Round Sleeper: Tyler Gaffney
The Panthers came out of nowhere to win the division in 2013, but there are major holes everywhere, especially on the offensive line and wide receiver. The pick of Kelvin Benjamin addresses the need at receiver. The offensive line got help in Round 3 with the pick of Trai Turner, but he will play guard and tackle is still a need. Second rounder Kony Ealy adds depth to the pass rush. A late round sleeper looks to be Tyler Gaffney, running back who could get touches if injuries crop up again in the backfield.
New Orleans Saints: B Best Pick: Brandin Cooks Late Round Sleeper: Vinnie Sunseri
The Saints traded up to #20 and got the speed receiver they wanted in Brandin Cooks, who should take advantage of the fast turf in the Superdome in the high powered New Orleans offense. The Saints are hoping that second round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste can become the cover corner that his size and speed could lead him to be, but he needs time to develop his overall game at corner. A late round sleeper looks to be Vinnie Sunseri, a tough safety who could pair with last years first rounder Kenny Vaccaro to give New Orleans a top tandem in the defensive secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+ Best Pick: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins Late Round Sleeper: Robert Herron
The Buccaneers stood pat at #7 Overall and got the receiver they wanted in Mike Evans, then got the big tight end who will free up coverage in the middle with the selection of Sefarian-Jenkins in Round 2. Third Rounder Charles Sims will be able to share the load with Doug Martin and could eventually become a full-time back. A late round sleeper could be Robert Herron, a slot receiver who will benefit for all the attention given to Evans, Sefarian-Jenkins and Vincent Jackson.
Monday, May 6, 2013
TMG DraftZone 2013 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South
The revolving door of NFC South Champions swung back to Atlanta, as the Falcons came up just short in the NFC title game against San Francisco. Their deal in 2011 to acquire Julio Jones for a truckload of draft picks is looking to be very wise. Jones has become one of the league's most dangerous deep threats, and the Falcons look to make another run at the Super Bowl with Matt Ryan at the helm.
The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a lost season following the sactions imposed due to the bounty scandal. But coach Sean Payton returns, and he still has Drew Brees at quarterback. But the Saints defense fell flat on their face last year, and the hope is that first round pick Kenny Vaccaro can shore up the secondary.
Tampa Bay made a move back last year, but I look for the Bucs to have a rebound season. They traded their first round pick for Darrelle Revis, and in Round 2 they selected Johnathon Banks to play corner as well. If Josh Freeman can work his way back to his 2011 form the Bucs will give the Falcons and Saints a run for the top spot in the NFC South.
The Carolina Panthers are also looking to their young quarterback to lead them up the ladder. Cam Newton started slow, and there were issues with maturity, but the Panthers finished well in the last half of the season. A long term replacement for WR Steve Smith was not found in the draft, and Carolina could have trouble scoring unless the veteran wideout can keep playing as he has the last few years.
So here is the TMG DraftZone 2013 NFL Draft Grades for the NFC South, with key selections and sleeper picks listed as well:
Atlanta: B Desmond Trufant (CB) Zeke Motta (S)
Atlanta traded up again, but not nearly as far this year as they did in 2011. They will be looking for Trufant to move into a starting corner spot right away, and if he can handle the responsibility then the Falcons will reap the rewards. Atlanta went defense for all but two picks, taking a tight end in Round 4 and a quarterback in Round 7, and with the focus on defense the Falcons may have found another impact player for the secondary in Zeke Motta. A physical safety, Motta will be able to help stop the run cover the middle for Atlanta.
Carolina: B+ Star Lotulelei (DT) Kenjon Balmer (RB)
The Panthers went defensive tackle in Round 1 and 2, and picked up Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. Lotulelei was seen by many as perhaps the best player in the draft, and he fell all the way to #14 because of health concerns. But Lotulelei received a clean bill of health, and he will team with Short to build a formidable front wall for the Panthers. Balmer may be a bit undersized, but get him in the open field and he is a top flight playmaker. One scouting report stated that Balmer needs to work on his pass protection. He may, but if Balmer is in the game I don't see him in the backfield to block. If he is lined up in the backfield, he will be in space in no time at all to get his hands on the ball.
New Orleans: B+ Terron Armstead (OT) Jon Jenkins (DT)
The Saints had to forfeit their second round pick due to the bounty scandal, but they made their picks count. Vaccaro will be a starter right away, and the secondary will be better for it. But the Saints lost Jarrod Bushrod in free agency, and Armstead may be called on to play earlier than Nwe Orleans might like. He is physically gifted, but played against lower level competition in college. Can he meet the challenge of left tackle in the NFL? The Saints are hoping so. New Orleans got one of the steals of the draft in Jenkins, being able to select him in Round 3. His weight may have ballooned up, bu the has gotten back in better shape, and Jenkins is a prototype nose tackle in a 3-4 who can plug up the middle and snuff out the run game.
Tampa Bay: B- Johnathon Banks (CB) William Gholston (DE)
Banks didn't measure out well at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his play did on the field. Banks is a ball hawk who is always a threat to pick off a pass. The Bucs have invested a lot of high draft picks in defensive lineman the last three years, and Gholston may get a chance due to a lack of production and injury concerns. Josh Freeman is coming to the end of his contract, and if he does not produce this year, Mike Glennon may get his chance lat in the season if the Bucs are out of contention.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Day 2 In The Books
Day 2 of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, and winners and losers are starting to surface among the teams. Some have been doing this for a long time. Some are getting better. Some have me scratching my head.
The New England Patriots always seem to own the draft. They have been accumulating top picks the last few years, and 2011 is no different. Even looking to next year, the Patriots have already picked up an additional first and second round pick. But for 2011, they have selected a left tackle in Nate Solder to pair with Sebastian Vollmer that could be called, with acknowledgements to Tom Clancy's Hunt For Red October, Thor's Twins. Both are 6'8, young and very athletic. Tom Brady is going to be well protected for a long time, and they even got his future replacement in Ryan Mallett, who fell all the way to Round 3. New England picked up a pair of running backs to fill a need in Round 2, but the pick who could turn out to be the most valuable might be Ras-I Dowling, a cornerback from Virginia. He has ideal size and speed to play corner in the NFL, but has battled injuries in college and could use some seasoning in the pros. But if he develops, New England will have a pair of top flight corners in Dowling and Devin McCourtey for years to come.
The New Orleans Saints for two elite players in Round 1, selecting Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram. But the third round brought two more impact players in Martez Wilson and Johnny Patrick. Wilson may be a bit raw, but he is a talented, gifted linebacker and Patrick looks to be a solid cover corner who also plays the run very well. The Saints got an infusion of talent at the running back position, where they had injuries all of 2010, and in all three facets of the defense.
The Cincinnati Bengals had an excellent draft in 2010, and this year has gotten off to a good start. A.J. Green was a near unanimous choice as the best offensive player in the draft, and with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco Johnson most likely not returning he fills a glaring need. Carson Palmer doesn't look to be returning either, and the Bengals picked up Andy Dalton with the third pick of Round 2. Many draftniks had Dalton moving up into the first round, and Cincinnati was able to select him without having to trade up and relinquishing any of their other picks. Jay Gruden is going to install the West Coast system, and they will need a mobile, accurate quarterback to run the offense. Dalton is that, and he is a leader and a winner. Even if Palmer returns to Cincy, I can see Dalton taking over the starting spot during the season. Then the Bengals addressed the defensive side by taking Dontay Moch in Round 3. Moch is a disruptive force, who spends a lot of time in the opponents backfield. The Bengals could use Moch as a backup to Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga on the outside, and could line the three of them up together with Rodderick Muckleroy in some 3-4 schemes.
The Detroit Lions got perhaps the biggest steal of the draft when Nick Fairley fell all the way to #13, then they got two more solid picks in Round 2. Titus Young is the speed receiver to compliment Calvin Johnson, and Mikel Leshoure is the between the tackles workhorse to compliment Jahvid Best. The Lions need to keep Matthew Stafford healthy, and if they can address that need in Day 3 they will easily be one of the biggest winners of the draft.
The Houston Texans needed help on defense. A lot of help. And they got it and then some. J.J. Watt is the ideal 3-4 end, and in Round 2 they got an outside linebacker in Brooks Reed who can rush the passer. But one of the biggest steals of the draft has to be Brandon Harris going to Houston in Round 3. He may lack the ideal size, but Harris has speed and plays more physical than his stature might indicate. Harris was a popular late first round selection of many mock drafts, and I had him going #32 to Green Bay. He can pair up with Kareem Jackson to solidify the Texans pass coverage.
Then there is the Minnesota Vikings. They went into the draft needing a quarterback. And they got one. A lot higher than everyone thought Christian Ponder would be taken in the draft. Ponder is a good fit for the Vikings West Coast offense, but he may have to play right away unless Minnesota can acquire a veteran to hold the fort until he is ready. They also need to shore up the middle of the defensive line, add a receiver with Sidney Rice being a free agent and Percy Harvin with migraine issues, and the secondary needs help as well. So with their second round pick, the Vikings select...Kyle Rudolph. While Rudolph has the skills to be a top tight end in the NFL, and the Vikings could use some youth at the position, Minnesota could have also drafted Rahim Moore, Marcus Gilchrist, Marvin Austin, or Greg Little. I believe that any of these players may make a more immediate impact with the Vikings. But if you look at the players Minnesota could have had, Nick Fairley and Ryan Mallett were available and if they Vikings had picked those two, I don't see anyone looking at their draft and wondering what they were doing.
Day 3 of the 2011 NFL Draft is tomorrow. What surprises await teams, players and fans alike? We shall see.
The New England Patriots always seem to own the draft. They have been accumulating top picks the last few years, and 2011 is no different. Even looking to next year, the Patriots have already picked up an additional first and second round pick. But for 2011, they have selected a left tackle in Nate Solder to pair with Sebastian Vollmer that could be called, with acknowledgements to Tom Clancy's Hunt For Red October, Thor's Twins. Both are 6'8, young and very athletic. Tom Brady is going to be well protected for a long time, and they even got his future replacement in Ryan Mallett, who fell all the way to Round 3. New England picked up a pair of running backs to fill a need in Round 2, but the pick who could turn out to be the most valuable might be Ras-I Dowling, a cornerback from Virginia. He has ideal size and speed to play corner in the NFL, but has battled injuries in college and could use some seasoning in the pros. But if he develops, New England will have a pair of top flight corners in Dowling and Devin McCourtey for years to come.
The New Orleans Saints for two elite players in Round 1, selecting Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram. But the third round brought two more impact players in Martez Wilson and Johnny Patrick. Wilson may be a bit raw, but he is a talented, gifted linebacker and Patrick looks to be a solid cover corner who also plays the run very well. The Saints got an infusion of talent at the running back position, where they had injuries all of 2010, and in all three facets of the defense.
The Cincinnati Bengals had an excellent draft in 2010, and this year has gotten off to a good start. A.J. Green was a near unanimous choice as the best offensive player in the draft, and with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco Johnson most likely not returning he fills a glaring need. Carson Palmer doesn't look to be returning either, and the Bengals picked up Andy Dalton with the third pick of Round 2. Many draftniks had Dalton moving up into the first round, and Cincinnati was able to select him without having to trade up and relinquishing any of their other picks. Jay Gruden is going to install the West Coast system, and they will need a mobile, accurate quarterback to run the offense. Dalton is that, and he is a leader and a winner. Even if Palmer returns to Cincy, I can see Dalton taking over the starting spot during the season. Then the Bengals addressed the defensive side by taking Dontay Moch in Round 3. Moch is a disruptive force, who spends a lot of time in the opponents backfield. The Bengals could use Moch as a backup to Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga on the outside, and could line the three of them up together with Rodderick Muckleroy in some 3-4 schemes.
The Detroit Lions got perhaps the biggest steal of the draft when Nick Fairley fell all the way to #13, then they got two more solid picks in Round 2. Titus Young is the speed receiver to compliment Calvin Johnson, and Mikel Leshoure is the between the tackles workhorse to compliment Jahvid Best. The Lions need to keep Matthew Stafford healthy, and if they can address that need in Day 3 they will easily be one of the biggest winners of the draft.
The Houston Texans needed help on defense. A lot of help. And they got it and then some. J.J. Watt is the ideal 3-4 end, and in Round 2 they got an outside linebacker in Brooks Reed who can rush the passer. But one of the biggest steals of the draft has to be Brandon Harris going to Houston in Round 3. He may lack the ideal size, but Harris has speed and plays more physical than his stature might indicate. Harris was a popular late first round selection of many mock drafts, and I had him going #32 to Green Bay. He can pair up with Kareem Jackson to solidify the Texans pass coverage.
Then there is the Minnesota Vikings. They went into the draft needing a quarterback. And they got one. A lot higher than everyone thought Christian Ponder would be taken in the draft. Ponder is a good fit for the Vikings West Coast offense, but he may have to play right away unless Minnesota can acquire a veteran to hold the fort until he is ready. They also need to shore up the middle of the defensive line, add a receiver with Sidney Rice being a free agent and Percy Harvin with migraine issues, and the secondary needs help as well. So with their second round pick, the Vikings select...Kyle Rudolph. While Rudolph has the skills to be a top tight end in the NFL, and the Vikings could use some youth at the position, Minnesota could have also drafted Rahim Moore, Marcus Gilchrist, Marvin Austin, or Greg Little. I believe that any of these players may make a more immediate impact with the Vikings. But if you look at the players Minnesota could have had, Nick Fairley and Ryan Mallett were available and if they Vikings had picked those two, I don't see anyone looking at their draft and wondering what they were doing.
Day 3 of the 2011 NFL Draft is tomorrow. What surprises await teams, players and fans alike? We shall see.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Draft Grades: New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints capped their 2009 season with the first Super Bowl title in team history. But even with their success the Saints needed to fill some holes that opened up with free agency, and while many of them were not addressed the Saints still had a good draft.
The Saints have not made a decision to re-sign Darren Sharper, and with their first round selection they picked Patrick Robinson, a cornerback out of Florida State. If they play Robinson at corner, which they are deep at, they may move Malcolm Jenkins to the safety position formerly occupied by Sharper.
The Saints are also strong at the offensive tackle position, but Charles Brown was too good of a selection to pass up at the end of the second round. The third round brought Jimmy Graham, a tight end out of Miami who was a basketball player before moving to the gridiron. Jeremy Shockey should be able to mentor his fellow Hurricane at the position and help with his development.
A sleeper pick looks to be Al Woods, a defensive tackle from LSU. A weakness for the Saints on defense was their ability to stop the run, and Woods should help correct that situation.
Draft Grade: B
The Saints have not made a decision to re-sign Darren Sharper, and with their first round selection they picked Patrick Robinson, a cornerback out of Florida State. If they play Robinson at corner, which they are deep at, they may move Malcolm Jenkins to the safety position formerly occupied by Sharper.
The Saints are also strong at the offensive tackle position, but Charles Brown was too good of a selection to pass up at the end of the second round. The third round brought Jimmy Graham, a tight end out of Miami who was a basketball player before moving to the gridiron. Jeremy Shockey should be able to mentor his fellow Hurricane at the position and help with his development.
A sleeper pick looks to be Al Woods, a defensive tackle from LSU. A weakness for the Saints on defense was their ability to stop the run, and Woods should help correct that situation.
Draft Grade: B
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