Round 1, Pick 7 (7)
(From 49ers through Patriots)
Sedrick Ellis DT 6'1" 305 Southern Cal
The Saints traded up to boost the interior of their front four. Ellis will be
counted on to clog up the line of scrimmage and be a disruptive force in the
backfield. His best traits are exceptional strength and great instincts.
Round 2, Pick 9 (40) Tracy Porter CB 5'11" 185 Indiana
The Saints continue to address their defense, as Porter projects as a third
corner. He was productive at Indiana, but like many corners, is not known as a
good tackler.
Round 5, Pick 9 (144) (From Lions) DeMario Pressley DT 6'3" 301 N.C. State
The latest in a recent tradition of North Carolina State defensive ends like
former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams and former first-round pick Manny
Lawson. Pressley has great athleticism, speed and quickness for his size. He is
an explosive player off the ball with good upside.
Round 5, Pick 29 (164) (From Patriots) Carl Nicks OT 6'5" 341 Nebraska
Nicks hasn't played enough college football to expect great things from him
early in his career.
Round 6, Pick 12 (178) Taylor Mehlhaff K 5'10" 185 Wisconsin
Mehlhaff is a left-footed kicker with good accuracy. Good, not great, leg
strength. He's more of a 45-yard and in kicker, but demonstrated great accuracy
at Wisconsin.
Round 7, Pick 30 (237) (From Packers) Adrian Arrington WR 6'3" 203 Michigan
Some thought Arrington was a very good player that was overshadowed by
Manningham at Michigan. He has good hands and caught a lot of passes. He lacks
breakaway speed, but is a good possession receiver.
New Orleans Saints 2008 NFL Preview
The most explosive team in the division, but without a
more trustworthy rushing attack, the Saints will have trouble dictating the flow
of games. Last year showed the Saints one thing. Reggie Bush is NOT an
every down back. The Saints need Deuce McAllister to be the every down
back. Jeremy Shockey comes over from the Giants to give Drew Brees a
potent check down target. The offense should be much better. The Saints
defense was just horrible last year, but adding Sedrick Ellis and Tracy
Porter in the draft as well as Jonathon Vilma should strengthen that
unit greatly. Remember it was only a year ago that the Saints were in
the NFC title game.
Offense: Drew Brees had a record breaking season, yet the Saints
finished 7-9. Marques Colston will remain his main target and he gains
Jeremy Shockey as well so things look great on the offensive side as
long as Deuce McAllister comes back strong. Reggie Bush has to be
utilized as a returner, sometimes receiver, and sometimes running back,
he can not be counted on as the every down back. He will be determined
to prove that he can be, but he just cant gain 40 pounds and take a
beating, it is not how the Saints should use him anyway.
Defense: The Saints traded for Jonathan Vilma to plug the middle
and make some stops which the Saints have been badly needing. He’s an
elite MLB when healthy. He could invigorate this defense.The DB was also revamped as they
added Randall Gay as a free agent and got CB Tray Porter in the second
round. They will improve throughout the season and defensive tackle
Sedrick Ellis fills the most glaring need for the struggling Saints
defense.
Overall: The Saints will make a return to the postseason as the
defense should improve throughout the year and we would not be surprised
if the offense and Brees set more records this year with the additions.
The Saints
have plenty of fire power on offense, and there are some intriguing
pieces on defense. That said, they haven’t proven capable of running the
ball or pressuring the passer. If the adjustments they make this year
produce results in this realm, they’ll win the NFC South. If not,
they’ll contend for a wild card
