April Flowers

So, its that time of year again fellas...ITS TIME for the And the Rest Will Follow 2009 NFL DRAFT special!!

That's right, I said it...and today you'll be getting my special insights as to what our beloved New Orleans Saints will do on draft day.

You know, I've been quite impressed with how coach Sean Payton has been handling this offseason. He hasn't wined and cried about how much potential he has on defense but has actually made an attempt in fixing some significant holes in the defense. Lets thank our lucky stars we were able to acquire a legitimate defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams. This guy rules. VERY aggressive, attacking style defensive coach that has been known to be very creative with his blitz and coverage schemes. See, this is what I love because our last DC would NEVER blitz and I'm like, okay we suck, why don't we blitz, that way we can at least maybe sack the quarterback more than once a game, possibly even force a fumble or two. You know...TURN OVERS. So, I'm stoked that they got a very respected defensive mind in Gregg Williams to take over the Defense.

The Saints were able to lock up their own key free agents in MLB Jonathan Vilma, WR Devery Henderson and LT Jon Stinchcomb and were much more active in free agency then I thought they had money for. They made some significant roster moves to free up some cash in the cutting of Saints legend RB Deuce McAllister and CB Mike McKenzie (both Scottish apparently) and picking up a legitimate starting cornerback in Jabari Greer from Buffalo. This guy is fast and can cover, so I'm looking forward to checking him out. They also put a band aid on the Safety position with an excellent and grizzled veteran in Darren Sharper from Minnesota. They also added RB/FB Heath Evans who is a great short yardage runner, something the Saints sorely lacked last season.

So, that brings us to the 2009 draft...because they addressed so many positions thus far this offseason, the Saints are somewhat freed up to take the best player available at #14. As usual, keep your eyes open for the possibility of the Saints trading down later in the first round to acquire additional picks because they only have a 1st, 4th, 4th & 7th round picks this year due to the trades of Jeremy Shockey and Jonathan Vilma.

The biggest need areas for the Saints this draft are, in order: Safety, Outside Linebacker, Running Back, Cornerback

The nominees this year are:

OLB Clay Matthews, USC - This guy is a prototypical outside linebacker with excellent size (6'4, 240lbs) and speed. Played with a killer group of linebackers at USC. Rushes the passer as an OLB very well and would be the main reason why the Saints pick him. He's a pure football player who loves the game.

CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State - Hugely talented athlete that plays much faster than his timed speeds. Great size, incredibly experienced and very tough corner back, mentally and physically and considered a team leader. Originally slotted in the top five but had poor timed workouts at combine and at pro day that allowed his stock to fall around the teens. Would be groomed as a Cornerback AND Safety if the Saints pick him.

RB Chris 'Beenie' Wells, Ohio State - Big punishing running back similar to New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs but faster. Not a great pass catcher out of the backfield but an excellent inside the tackles runner that has breakaway ability and would provide a fantastic complement to Reggie Bush in New Orleans. Don't knock this pick, this would completely solidify the Saints offense as Super Bowl caliber this season if he's the pick at #14.

And the envelope please...

My best guess for this season based on these three nominees, and there are other nominees that I spared you for the sake of brevity (too late), is CB/S Malcolm Jenkins. If if if he slips to #14, which there is a decent chance of, then for sure I think the value vs team need is too great for the Saints to pass up. This would provide a playmaker on defense, something that this team sorely needs and would be the answer to the Safety position and not just the band aid fix that Darren Sharper may provide for a season or two.

Enjoy the draft!!

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