New Orleans 2017 Offseason - With Drew Brees at the helm, the Saints should be perennial contenders, but their Defense never fails to underwhelm.

Going into the 2017 offseason, the Saints has 4 key needs. With a division full of top QBs – Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Tampa’s gunslinger Jameis Winston, New Orleans’ defence has been struggling to contain and compete. The Saints could use as much young talent as they can get on a defense that has ranked among the NFL's worst over the past three years.

DE
2-time Pro-Bowler Cam Jordan needs help urgently. Having a game-altering edge disruption will take immense pressure off of a consistently-underwhelming secondary.

DB
Inconsistency at the CB and Safety positions has cost the Saints games. They are constantly punished by the divisional QBs and WRs.

LB
The LB corps are passable, but there needs to be improvement and depth.

WR
The trade of Brandin Cooks has turned WR into a potential priority for the top 4 rounds.

The Skinny: The Saints were very active and landed a starting guard in Larry Warford from the Lions, a starting middle linebacker in A.J. Klein from the Panthers. Then, after signing away receiver Ted Ginn Jr. from the Panthers, they shipped receiver Brandin Cooks to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick. They will almost certainly use both of their first-round picks on defense. It was a good first few days for the Saints.

Offseason grade: A by CBSSports


ROD MOCK DRAFT

PICK 1a
New Orleans used their #11 pick and traded it to the Minnesota Vikings for a slew of players that instantly filled holes with starters they picked up CB Xavier Rhodes, LB Anthony Barr and QB Teddy Bridgewater.

With CB a major need for the Saints in a pass happy division, Rhodes is a tried and tested commodity that instantly changes the secondary for the Saints and is named a team captain.

Pro-bowl linebacker Barr strengthens another in-need unit on the Saints D and will be looking for a new lease of life after a ‘statistically’ poor outing in 2016.

Bridgewater, will slide in at QB #2 behind the ultimate pro Brees, giving him plenty of time to get over any injuries that he’s carrying and allowing him to perfect his game mechanics and learn from one of the best in the game.

PICK 1b (R1 P27)
The Saints moved back up in Round 1 to snag
John Ross, WR, Washington
With the loss of Brandin Cooks to the Pats, the Saints instantly fill that gap ‘quickly’ with Ross, officially the fastest WR in the game. Along with Thomas, Ginn Jr, Snead, Duarte and Fleener – Brees’ options to spread the ball just got better.

PICK 2 (R2 P54)
Jordan Willis, DE/OLB, Kansas State
Again, a huge boost to the needy pass-rush at New Orleans, Willis was quietly one of the most productive DE’s in the country. His speed, power and strength will see him work opposite Cameron Jordan, but will mix it up at OLB with Fowler. Let’s just say that QBs better be wary of our pass rush now.

PICK 3 (R3 P76)
Marcus Williams, S, Utah
My steal of the draft, Marcus Williams is one of the most underrated defensive prospects in this draft class. Williams is a ridiculously dynamic athlete. Williams is an immediate starter who will significantly help New Orleans pass defense, particularly on throws down the field, an area in which the team struggled last season.

PICK 4 (R4 P120)
Corn Elder, CB, Miami (FL)
The small & fierce former Running Back Elder is one of the most aggressive, tough, instinctive, tenacious, hard-hitting defensive backs in the next Draft. Elder is like a scrappy junkyard dog of a player and never gives up – don’t be surprised to see him in an outside/slot corner/safety role for the Saints – he’ll also be used for return duties with Ginn Jr.

PICK 5 (R6 P187)
Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston
Another versatile RB convert that's transitioning to CB. Wilson is an explosive athlete who could be considered on either side of the ball as a defensive back or a running back. A serious playmaker in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. His ceiling as a pro is high.

PICK 6 (R6 P196)
David Godchaux, DT, LSU
Davon Godchaux has the tools to play all over the defensive line for the Saints. His athleticism makes him scheme-versatile, and the 6'4", 300-pound three-year starter for LSU, Godchaux tallied 18 tackles for losses and 11.5 sacks while playing mostly as a defensive tackle, he’d slide in next to Rankins and comfortably fill the void left by Fairley.

PICK 7 (R7 P220)
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
With a 3rd round draft projection that's compared to David Johnson, Hill is another steal of the Draft. He may not have breakaway speed, but is impressive between the tackles where he always fights, and usually wins those important extra yards. A nice complimentary back to Mark Ingram.

PICK 8 (R7 P222)
Ethan Cooper, OG/OT, Indiana
The 6’3”, 325lb Cooper has played all over the line, but will probably kick inside for the Saints and be a rotational back-up to Walford (and Peat).


OTHER ROD TRADES

Other key trade pick moves included:

DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars for pick #196 and QB Garrett Grayson. Fowler Jr. fills the Pass rush need the saints have opposite Cam Jordan and will trade time at LDE with Jordan Willis. Both Willis and Fowler Jr. will be mixing it up at DE and OLB depending on whether or not we’re running a 4 or 3 man front.

TE Thomas Duarte from the Miami Dolphins for a trade of picks #42 and #103 (Saints) for #54 and #97 (Dolphins). Duarte is a fast, sharp route runner that can also line up at WR. We’ll see 2 TE sets with him and Fleener. He was a guy I was after last year in the draft – I always get my guy


ROD UDFAs

Travin Dural, WR, LSU
This guy has flown under the radar because of appalling QB play, but I'm taking a flyer on a guy with good speed and size that's come from the same stable as Jarvis Landry and Beckham Jr. He can sit at the back of the depth chart and improve his ball skills, but his day will come.

Glen Antoine, DT, Idaho
Antoine is the epitome of a run stuffer - he'll only be used on obvious run plays when the Saints will switch to 3-4 technique. He's as big as a house and with smother anything in front of him!

Anthony Cioffi, S/CB, Rutgers
The dude is just plain fast, and plays even faster. He's another one of the ball-hawk multi-positional guys that I like to draft, he's comfortable as a CB, FS, SS and even at WR. He'll be a star on ST and will get his day on the starting lineup.

Bradley Northnagel, LS, California
Even though the Saints have just picked up Jesse Schmitt off waivers, Narthnagel’s talents as a dependable LS will serve the Saints for years to come.

Missed Opportunities (Guys I went in hoping for)

Christian McCaffrey, RB
This is a guy I really hoped to pick up with my late Rd 1 pick, but he was taken earlier than I expected, a guy I think that can contribute on both ground and air games with Brees. Losing McCaffrey instigated the move up from #32 to get John Ross who was still available.

Chidobe Awuzie CB
A guy I hoped would fall to me in the second but Washington and @Riverumbbq took him 2 picks ahead of me! Something tells me that Awuzie may actually go in the 1st in the actual draft...

So that's it guys - thanks for all the fun, and discussions - it really has been a blast again this year.

I don't know. I'm torn. I'd trade up for Lamp or Njoku. But with Watt also available, it might be justifiable to wait.

PressureD41 said:

Good feedback @jrry32 I will disagree on our OG depth. I like Brown but the rest I'm just not sold on. W/ Siragusa I just view him as an plug and play guy.. Which would give us a lock from LOT to OC and w/ Brown and Hav manning the right side (My prediction on the right). I know you have Staffold as our LOG still but his injury history how many games can we/you truly count on from him. Let Staffold be our guy off the bench imho.
Re: Roberts I see him as a #2 TE can can do some blocking yet can catch the ball in the short-to-Mid range. Plays off well I hope the coaches get through to him.

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With one of Robinson or Havenstein moving to OG, I don't see a need there. I see Jamon backing up Saffold (and eventually starting). I also see Wichmann and Donnal as capable depth players. I would consider adding another OL in the later parts of the draft, but the 4th round is too early for me. JMO.

As for Roberts, I just don't like the guy's attitude. He should have been destroying guys as a blocker in college, but he was content to give the minimum amount of effort needed to put his body between them and the ball.

Note to podcast creators: I don't give a F if you got engaged or where you want to go for vacation or what you do there. I don't give a flyin F about you or your family or what you're thinking outside of the matter being discussed that caused me to click the effin link. STFU and cover the team for the love of God.

Merlin said:

Good call. I think once the season and FA periods have run their course it's the most appropriate topic.

Jesus I can't wait for next Friday sigh.

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Or at least let tomorrow be Thursday, so we can see what the other Teams are doing!!

Had a great 2015. I'd say he's worth a look as well.

LACHAMP46 said:

hmmmmm

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Higbee
Everett
Harkey
Williams

Gives you all you need at TE

CGI_Ram said:

When I surveyed a handful of executives about the ideal number of names on the board, I came to the general consensus that 150 is the perfect number. I found a number of teams ranging from 120 to 175 prospects on the board. While the reasons varied for a number of guys included on the board, I discovered that most wanted to have about five rounds worth of names to give them plenty of options, including post-draft free agents.

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This is the way I approached the ROD Mock Draft! I had about 175 at the beginning of our Draft!

Elmgrovegnome said:

I hate hearing this stuff, and I always prefer to stay away from players like this. The selfish/self centered types have lasting affects that permeate into the locker room. It can affect team chemistry. But, this guy is like Rey Lewis quality on the field. He could make the Rams inside LBers similar to what San Fran had for a few years.

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I think this is an overstatement. A significant percentage of NFL players are arrogant and selfish. I tend to take issue with a guy if there are questions regarding his willingness to work, film showing him half-assing it often, and/or serious issues off the field that would impact his ability to stay on the field.

Foster does have some red flags tied to durability and character concerns. I'd need to have the character concerns answered in a positive manner before I'd take him. But based on his film, he's a top talent.

Soul Surfer said:

What do you mean?

Bill Belichick is the greatest cheater of all time.
I can't even think of anybody nearly as good as him.

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Talking about the writer of the article. He spews on and on and on and on about his love for Bill then ranks #1 and begins spewing on and on again

bomebadeeda said:

I'm hearing Pittsburgh really wants an upgrade @ TE. Engram would fit into their flow passing game and even give them a pass on the pass catchers they have lost. So, I think he's off the board by the time we pick. But Kittle looks like the type of blue collar guy that can play the "FB" position but has the tools to be a weapon as well as be a great blocker.

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I think Pittsburgh is more likely to take a traditional TE (Shaheen, Butt, etc.). But we'll see.

Corbin said:

Dude I swear everywhere I look it says it says different
http://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp?RequestTeam=Lar

Guess it doesn't matter. The chances they make they team and start or what 6.5% if I remember right?

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Rams received pick #206 in the 6'th round from Miami when we traded Hayes to them.

http://www.nfl.com/m/draft/2017/tracker/team/losangelesrams

With the NFL draft just one week away, SCNG NFL writer Ryan Kartje lays out the conundrum facing the Rams at No. 37 overall, before welcoming on Rams beat writer Rich Hammond to discuss the team’s draft priorities at receiver, offensive line and defensive back, among other things. Ryan wraps up the show by answering your Rams mailbag questions about the draft.

Rich Hammond at the 11:50 mark.

Listen to Inside the Rams: Draft Strategy

To some degree, yes. But Higbee can block well enough to be an inline TE.

jakebogen95 said:

Whoa hold on a sec. David Washington I compared to Teddy Bridgewater. I compared the situation of taking him to be insurance for Goff to the situation of the Redskins taking Cousins for insurance to RG3. You misunderstood me haha

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Well Teddy was an excellent QB for Louisville as well.I think when you see a QB take a team to the next level there is something special about him. Tim Tebow was a winner . They did have so much talent around him though .Myer is a heck of a recruiter.

Always be wary of Patriots....or so say the Indians.....LOLOLOLOL

bnw said:

Just change the year to 2017 and change the supposed top picks names and send it to their editor. Year after year the same crapola. So lazy.

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Is it just me, or do they come up with "needs" for a team in the Draft by looking at players we lost, plus the FA's, and therefore our needs are apparent for the Draft? They see Rodney McCloud leave, and are too lazy to see if we had a replacement on the team already? So effing lazy!

$150 at Sams

Damn....now I gotta see all 7 rounds...nice picks!

Merlin said:

AD is going to have a monster of a season. Grievous amounts of tackles for loss and sacks. Destruction and mayhem in this defensive scheme.

Locking him up now would be a good idea.

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I would say 20 Mil a year for 5 years with 80 Mil Guaranteed will probably do it! IF THEY GET IT DONE BEFORE THIS YEAR IS OVER!!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...owboys-and-rams-have-shown-the-most-interest/

Cowboys and Rams have shown the most interest

As USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster prepares for the 2017 draft, he says two teams have shown the strongest desire to secure his services.

The Cowboys and the Rams have shown the most interest, Smith-Schuster said on Friday’s PFT Live.

While Smith-Schuster said he doesn’t have a wish list of teams for which he’d like to play (although he seems to believe players should be able to pick their NFL teams and not vice-versa), he said last month he’d like to play for the Chargers.

On PFT Live, he admitted that he has sent “a message” to the Raiders via his selection of them for the virtual JuJu in his Madden 2017 franchise.

In Madden 2018, Smith-Schuster will be assigned to one of the 32 teams, and he’ll be available to add to your Madden Ultimate Team, if that’s how you choose to play the game. Smith-Schuster and the rest of us will find out where that will be within the next week.

I hope we double down on weapons for Goff with our first two picks.... especially if TJ Watt and Forrest Lamp are off the board already when we pick at 37. I would prefer some combination of Zay Jones, Cooper Kupp, or Evan Engram. ... I figure it would be hard to get any of the two in the same draft..... but if possible would finally flood our receivers (TEs also) group with Talent. And that competition with our young WRS (North, Thomas, Cooper, Bradley, and Spruce) would in my opinion only help speed up Goff's development up.

I do believe Engram will be a good... to very good inline blocker at some point and can put on about another 10lbs without effecting his speed and quickness. However I agree with @jrry32 that we will be better off with Kupp or Jones who I personally believe can both contribute inside or outside in they're rookie year, or (imho) if by some miracle both.... in the short and long term.
Other nice options later on also. I will be happy with whatever McVay and Snead do.... it's just exciting this time of year......

Go Rams.......

Always liked Gregg W. as a DC, all the way back to his Redskins days. The only guy I'd want to replace him would be Wade Phillips.

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A story doing the rounds now is gangsta life killed Lloyd because he didn't want him to spill the beans about his bisexuality to his fiance. It seems gangsta was fucking his male high school sweetheart since high-school and Lloyd was giving him shit about it. I guess gangsta thought it was only a matter of time before Lloyd opened his mouth in front of his girlfriend so he put a few bullets in him.

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