Post by MarchingOn on May 14, 2014 2:03:47 GMT -5
1st round, 20th selection overall - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Grade: B
- Sean Payton stated heading in to the draft that they had targeted a select few players whom they would attempt to trade up and get if the opportunity presented itself. Well, that is exactly what happened when they saw Brandin Cooks still available at 19. I say 19, because they knew the New York Jets could also have potentially selected a WR, so they were waiting to see who the Jets would take before trading up. When NYJ eventually ended up taking free safety Calvin Pryor, the Saints began to make their move. Reports have come out that the Dolphins did try to trade back from 19, so I think it's probable the Saints and Dolphins talked. However, no deal was done, so Mickey Loomis and co. moved on and decided to go after Arizona's #20 selection. Arizona was happy to cooperate, and so New Orleans was able to move up to #20 for the price of a 3rd round pick.
As for Cooks, he is as dynamic as it gets. He runs a verified 4.3 fourty, so he obviously has blazing speed. Cooks also has the reputation of being a fantastic route runner, one of the best in arguably the best WR class of all time. It's honestly rare for a slot WR to have such speed and also be such a technician with routes. It seems like usually it's just one or the other. A faster version of Wes Welker is a legit comparison for Cooks, and that is scary to think about since Welker is already as good as he is without Cooks' speed. I expect Cooks to be New Orleans' 4th option this year, with Graham, Colston, and Stills ahead of him. However, even if Cooks is not getting as many targets as those players, that doesn't mean he isn't making an impact. Cooks' presence on the field will be felt, and he will open up everyone else because you can't leave him unaccounted for.
If we had taken Cooks at 27, this pick would absolutely be an A, but the fact that we had to give up a 3rd round pick in a loaded WR draft, combined with the fact Marqise Lee would have still been available at 27 turns this pick into a B.
2nd round, 58th selection overall - Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
Grade: A
- I absolutely love this pick. It could not have been better if you ask me. Jean-Baptiste was (arguably) the best CB still available, and CB was arguably NO's biggest need heading in to the draft. Jean-Baptiste, or SJB for short, has the spectacular height (6'2) for a corner that NFL teams are dying to get their hands on these days. SJB is also gifted in that he has very fluid hips for a guy his size, which gives him the ability to turn and run with some of the shorter, quicker WRs of the league. That is a rare trait in big corners. SJB is already advanced in his coverage, both man and zone. He can contribute immediately for a team in that aspect. However, where SJB falls behind is his tackling and run support. Given his size, he has the obvious potential to become very good in these areas as well, but they are a weak part of his game right now. Some scouts even say he is already good in these areas, it is just he doesn't put any effort into tackling and run support. Whichever theory is true, Rob Ryan won't stand for it. I do trust Ryan to turn SJB into a complete corner rather than just a cover guy. SJB won't see the field if he doesn't give effort, I guarantee you that. As for what SJB could do his rookie year, I expect him to either come in and be the #2 corner opposite of Keenan Lewis, or I could even see SJB playing nickelback his rookie year.
4th round, 126th selection overall - Khairi Fortt, LB, California
Grade: B
- Some background on Khairi Fortt: Out of high school, Fortt was a top 50 recruit and a top 5 OLB nationally. He committed to Penn St and saw playing time immediately as a freshman, which is noteworthy given the outstanding reputation Penn St has with linebackers. He continued to stay with Penn State until the end of his sophomore year, which is when the Sandusky/Paterno situation started to unfold. Fortt then transferred to Cal, where an injury sidelined him for his entire junior year. Fast forward to his senior year, he became a starter for the Golden Bears. He was playing really well, and then, unfortunately he re-injured himself. That resulted in Fortt missing the final 3 games of his college career.
As a player, Fortt is very athletic and explosive on the field, showing good recognition and a good first step against the run. Where he really shines, however, is pass coverage. He has the speed and range to be able to turn and run with wide receivers and tight ends, and the sideline to sideline range that allows him to keep up with quick WRs. Fortt does need to improve on his pass rushing, but he does have the potential to become solid in that area as well.
Sean Payton stated they plan to slide Fortt inside and use him as an ILB, and I think that is the best move possible given Fortt's strengths and weaknesses as a player. Khairi does have major injury issues, but if he can get past those, this pick will turn out solid. There's little doubt Fortt would have been taken a couple rounds higher than the fourth if durability wasn't an issue, because he can play.
5th round, 167th selection overall - Vinnie Sunseri, S, Alabama
Grade: C
- Vinnie Sunseri isn't your average Alabama football player, which ironically means he is just average. Sunseri is not very athletic like a Ha'sean Clinton-Dix, a Mark Barron, or a Landon Collins (you all will learn about him next year). No, Sunseri is not gifted like that. He has pedestrian athleticism. He doesn't stand out on the football field. However, what Sunseri does do well is use his head. Vinnie is a very high IQ football player, he has very good knowledge of the game. His dad is actually the defensive ends coach at Florida State, so football runs in the family. Sunseri is a so-called "QB of the defense", meaning he points out formations to his teammates, alerting his defense to potential audibles the offense is trying to change in to, and other things of that nature. Sunseri also has freakishly good instincts. That is how he compensates for his lack of athletic ability. I don't expect Sunseri to ever become a starter for a team, but he can be valuable depth and very good on special teams, and that is realistically all you can ask for out of a late fifth round pick in my opinion.
5th round, 169th selection overall - Ronald Powell, LB, Florida
Grade: B
- If you watched Ronald Powell's film and you did not know anything about the draft, you would think Powell is a sure-fire first/second round selection. Coming out of high school, Powell was considered the best high school player in America. Rated #1 nationally by recruiting services. He looks the part. Great size for the position, a plus athlete, really good production when healthy. That is exactly the problem though.. Ronald Powell being healthy in college was a rare deal. Powell missed 20 out of his 51 games in college due to injury.
The Saints are just hoping Powell's injuries are a thing of the past, because Powell has legit "steal of the draft" potential if he can remain healthy. Powell could be a starter for the Saints in three years and potentially be a pro bowler, or he could continue to be plagued by injuries and be out of the league in three years. I will certainly take that gamble in the fifth round. The reason this pick is only a B and not an A is because Powell has a really low floor.
6th round, 202nd selection overall - Tavon Rooks, OT, Kansas State
Grade: C
- Very little is known about Tavon Rooks. It's really hard to find any scouting reports or videos on the guy. Honestly, the Saints kind of draft a player like this every year though, so I'm not freaking out. Last year it was Rufus Johnson. The year before that, it was Corey White and Akiem Hicks. I could go back further, but you get the point. The only thing I can really talk about is Coach Payton's comment of Rooks that he has "Great foootwork and growth potential." Going purely off that statement, it seems like Rooks is a technician, but he is undersized for an OT. However, since Coach Payton also states he has "growth potential", I interpret that as Rooks does have the frame to add the necessary weight needed for the league, so that is good. I don't think you can judge what I like to call "no-name picks" (meaning nobody has heard of the player) immediately. More than any other draft picks, you have to wait 3 or 4 years to accurately assess these kinds of picks. Because of that, I'm not going to give this pick a good grade or a bad grade. I'm going right in between.. I'm giving it a C.
Grade: B
- Sean Payton stated heading in to the draft that they had targeted a select few players whom they would attempt to trade up and get if the opportunity presented itself. Well, that is exactly what happened when they saw Brandin Cooks still available at 19. I say 19, because they knew the New York Jets could also have potentially selected a WR, so they were waiting to see who the Jets would take before trading up. When NYJ eventually ended up taking free safety Calvin Pryor, the Saints began to make their move. Reports have come out that the Dolphins did try to trade back from 19, so I think it's probable the Saints and Dolphins talked. However, no deal was done, so Mickey Loomis and co. moved on and decided to go after Arizona's #20 selection. Arizona was happy to cooperate, and so New Orleans was able to move up to #20 for the price of a 3rd round pick.
As for Cooks, he is as dynamic as it gets. He runs a verified 4.3 fourty, so he obviously has blazing speed. Cooks also has the reputation of being a fantastic route runner, one of the best in arguably the best WR class of all time. It's honestly rare for a slot WR to have such speed and also be such a technician with routes. It seems like usually it's just one or the other. A faster version of Wes Welker is a legit comparison for Cooks, and that is scary to think about since Welker is already as good as he is without Cooks' speed. I expect Cooks to be New Orleans' 4th option this year, with Graham, Colston, and Stills ahead of him. However, even if Cooks is not getting as many targets as those players, that doesn't mean he isn't making an impact. Cooks' presence on the field will be felt, and he will open up everyone else because you can't leave him unaccounted for.
If we had taken Cooks at 27, this pick would absolutely be an A, but the fact that we had to give up a 3rd round pick in a loaded WR draft, combined with the fact Marqise Lee would have still been available at 27 turns this pick into a B.
2nd round, 58th selection overall - Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
Grade: A
- I absolutely love this pick. It could not have been better if you ask me. Jean-Baptiste was (arguably) the best CB still available, and CB was arguably NO's biggest need heading in to the draft. Jean-Baptiste, or SJB for short, has the spectacular height (6'2) for a corner that NFL teams are dying to get their hands on these days. SJB is also gifted in that he has very fluid hips for a guy his size, which gives him the ability to turn and run with some of the shorter, quicker WRs of the league. That is a rare trait in big corners. SJB is already advanced in his coverage, both man and zone. He can contribute immediately for a team in that aspect. However, where SJB falls behind is his tackling and run support. Given his size, he has the obvious potential to become very good in these areas as well, but they are a weak part of his game right now. Some scouts even say he is already good in these areas, it is just he doesn't put any effort into tackling and run support. Whichever theory is true, Rob Ryan won't stand for it. I do trust Ryan to turn SJB into a complete corner rather than just a cover guy. SJB won't see the field if he doesn't give effort, I guarantee you that. As for what SJB could do his rookie year, I expect him to either come in and be the #2 corner opposite of Keenan Lewis, or I could even see SJB playing nickelback his rookie year.
4th round, 126th selection overall - Khairi Fortt, LB, California
Grade: B
- Some background on Khairi Fortt: Out of high school, Fortt was a top 50 recruit and a top 5 OLB nationally. He committed to Penn St and saw playing time immediately as a freshman, which is noteworthy given the outstanding reputation Penn St has with linebackers. He continued to stay with Penn State until the end of his sophomore year, which is when the Sandusky/Paterno situation started to unfold. Fortt then transferred to Cal, where an injury sidelined him for his entire junior year. Fast forward to his senior year, he became a starter for the Golden Bears. He was playing really well, and then, unfortunately he re-injured himself. That resulted in Fortt missing the final 3 games of his college career.
As a player, Fortt is very athletic and explosive on the field, showing good recognition and a good first step against the run. Where he really shines, however, is pass coverage. He has the speed and range to be able to turn and run with wide receivers and tight ends, and the sideline to sideline range that allows him to keep up with quick WRs. Fortt does need to improve on his pass rushing, but he does have the potential to become solid in that area as well.
Sean Payton stated they plan to slide Fortt inside and use him as an ILB, and I think that is the best move possible given Fortt's strengths and weaknesses as a player. Khairi does have major injury issues, but if he can get past those, this pick will turn out solid. There's little doubt Fortt would have been taken a couple rounds higher than the fourth if durability wasn't an issue, because he can play.
5th round, 167th selection overall - Vinnie Sunseri, S, Alabama
Grade: C
- Vinnie Sunseri isn't your average Alabama football player, which ironically means he is just average. Sunseri is not very athletic like a Ha'sean Clinton-Dix, a Mark Barron, or a Landon Collins (you all will learn about him next year). No, Sunseri is not gifted like that. He has pedestrian athleticism. He doesn't stand out on the football field. However, what Sunseri does do well is use his head. Vinnie is a very high IQ football player, he has very good knowledge of the game. His dad is actually the defensive ends coach at Florida State, so football runs in the family. Sunseri is a so-called "QB of the defense", meaning he points out formations to his teammates, alerting his defense to potential audibles the offense is trying to change in to, and other things of that nature. Sunseri also has freakishly good instincts. That is how he compensates for his lack of athletic ability. I don't expect Sunseri to ever become a starter for a team, but he can be valuable depth and very good on special teams, and that is realistically all you can ask for out of a late fifth round pick in my opinion.
5th round, 169th selection overall - Ronald Powell, LB, Florida
Grade: B
- If you watched Ronald Powell's film and you did not know anything about the draft, you would think Powell is a sure-fire first/second round selection. Coming out of high school, Powell was considered the best high school player in America. Rated #1 nationally by recruiting services. He looks the part. Great size for the position, a plus athlete, really good production when healthy. That is exactly the problem though.. Ronald Powell being healthy in college was a rare deal. Powell missed 20 out of his 51 games in college due to injury.
The Saints are just hoping Powell's injuries are a thing of the past, because Powell has legit "steal of the draft" potential if he can remain healthy. Powell could be a starter for the Saints in three years and potentially be a pro bowler, or he could continue to be plagued by injuries and be out of the league in three years. I will certainly take that gamble in the fifth round. The reason this pick is only a B and not an A is because Powell has a really low floor.
6th round, 202nd selection overall - Tavon Rooks, OT, Kansas State
Grade: C
- Very little is known about Tavon Rooks. It's really hard to find any scouting reports or videos on the guy. Honestly, the Saints kind of draft a player like this every year though, so I'm not freaking out. Last year it was Rufus Johnson. The year before that, it was Corey White and Akiem Hicks. I could go back further, but you get the point. The only thing I can really talk about is Coach Payton's comment of Rooks that he has "Great foootwork and growth potential." Going purely off that statement, it seems like Rooks is a technician, but he is undersized for an OT. However, since Coach Payton also states he has "growth potential", I interpret that as Rooks does have the frame to add the necessary weight needed for the league, so that is good. I don't think you can judge what I like to call "no-name picks" (meaning nobody has heard of the player) immediately. More than any other draft picks, you have to wait 3 or 4 years to accurately assess these kinds of picks. Because of that, I'm not going to give this pick a good grade or a bad grade. I'm going right in between.. I'm giving it a C.