Black and Gold X's and O's| What the Saints Should Not Do in the First Round

The New Orleans Saints have a number of options with the 14th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

They could trade down. Heck, if they really like someone who figures to be gone early, they could trade up.

They could go linebacker, running back, defensive back, perhaps even center.

But you know what they should not do?

They should not make a pick at 14.

I'm not saying go all Minnesota Vikings and run out of time, looking like dufuses in front of the entire league and nation.

No, what I am saying is that it is completely irresponsible to make a selection at No. 14. Here is why:

The Saints, under Sean Payton, started out by adding players through the draft in 2006, and again in 2007. But in the past two offseasons, they have suddenly decided that free agency is the best way to assemble a team.

I am philosophically opposed to this way of thinking. I think the Saints need to get younger. Look at the way most of the top teams in the NFL acquire players.

Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New England (until the past few years), San Diego, and Carolina—All of them build through the draft.

Add in the Saints of 2006 and the Dolphins and Falcons of '08, and you see it's possible to use the draft to become competitive in one season.

Just by trusting the scouts and doing research, any team can improve in a hurry. But you must stay committed to this approach.

Having watched a majority of the players who realistically have a chance of being drafted in the first round, I have decided there is not single a player worthy of being picked by the Saints at No. 14, based on the team's needs.

Sure, Knowshon Moreno may be there, but in my opinion, the Saints do not need a running back, especially a first round back.

As I wrote in my top five running backs column a couple months ago, Chris Wells is overrated and should fall to at least the second round, if not even further.  

If the Saints decide they have to have a power running back, they could find a way to get a second round pick and take Shonn Greene.

As for the possibility of drafting Malcolm Jenkins, I am all for it. But it is not necessary to use the 14th pick on him. He will likely be available if the Saints can trade down to 17 or 18.

Here's why I think that makes sense: If Mark Sanchez is still on the board, which is possible, a team like the Broncos may consider trading up to the 14th pick to get him.

The Saints and Broncos could trade first round picks, and the Saints could demand the Broncos' second round pick as the cost for doing business.

It's that simple.

Sure that is a dream situation for the Saints, but what if the rumor that Payton and Mickey Loomis really like Brian Cushing, the linebacker out of USC, is true?

Beyond my wanting to throw up, it would figure to be an irrational pick from my perspective.

Here is my scouting report of him:

Games Viewed: @ Virginia, @ Oregon State, vs. Penn State (Rose Bowl)

Critical Factors

ATH. ABILITY        6.0                 INITIAL QUICK         6.0

PLAY STR.            6.0                 COMPETES             6.0

PLAY SPEED          6.0                 INSTINCTS             6.0

Strong Points

Cushing has a big body for the OLB spot, and he is a decent athlete. He excels in short zone coverage, with his ability to flip his hips and get to a spot quickly.

He reads routes well and can make plays on the ball. He also has the ability to play sideline-to-sideline. The guy has a pretty good motor.

Weaknesses

Cushing is not the type of pass rusher one would expect. He lacks pass rush moves, burst, or strength to be able to get to the QB on a consistent basis.

He's also not a very good tackler, especially one-on-one or in the open field. Nor is he strong enough to consistently fend off blocks from offensive linemen.

He will struggle to cover man-to-man against running backs and some of the quicker tight ends.

Summary

Cushing was a very disappointing athlete to grade, though many have him rated as a first round prospect. Also, the fact he’s been at USC with great coaching concerns me, since he doesn’t appear to display great technique in any specific function.

His athleticism shocked me. I expected him to be a much better athlete overall, but found he is tight-hipped and lacks that elite burst I was looking for. He is not a good open-field tackler, nor is he a play-maker in the backfield.

He needs to play special teams for a couple years and learn the techniques necessary to become an effective, every-down linebacker in the NFL, which he was not at ‘SC.

Finally, the possible steroid questions do not help his stock. He needs to get bigger and stronger, but needs to do it the right way.

I would stay away from him in the first round. Moving Cushing to weak inside linebacker in the 3-4 is a possibility.

While this is just my own opinion, I think most people would agree on what he can and cannot do. And he does exactly the things the Saints do not need help with.

We have enough guys who can drop into coverage and play the pass effectively. And we have plenty of guys who are merely average versus the run.

The Saints need linebackers who can come up and make tackles in the backfield, and can get to the quarterback when they blitz, either bringing him down or forcing him to throw before he wants to.

Therefore Cushing is not an option.

If I haven't made my point well enough yet, here are some more facts to consider. 

Aaron Curry is the only true 4-3 outside linebacker who will be drafted in the first round.

Vontae Davis, another rumored Saint draftee, played mostly zone at Illinois and proved to not be as athletic as originally expected. His brother, Vernon, has taken quite awhile to become even a decent NFL starter.

The Saints cannot wait quite awhile.

California center Alex Mack should become a very good NFL center for years to come. But, is he really worth the No. 14 pick in this year's draft?

In my estimation, no.

Sure, I actually have him as my 14th best player in the draft. Wow, I honestly didn't know that until I just looked. I have not graded Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, or Jason Smith, so his rating could drop a few spots. Still, trading down to the Lions spot at no. 20 could be an option, and Mack would likely still be available.

In fact, there is no true safety worth a first round pick, and the Saints' options are pretty obvious: They have to trade the pick.

It is really the only option.

Please, Mickey and Sean, take my advice and sell this pick like it's never been sold. Call every team in the NFL and add more picks to get younger on defense.

I'm not asking much, just for a good draft.

Geaux Saints!