Don't Come Marching In: Five Prospects the Saints Should Stay Away from

The best drafting teams in the NFL often do well with their first round picks, assuming they even bother drafting a player in the round. 

Given the players slated for the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints would probably be better off trading back into the second and acquiring an extra pick or two.

That being said, the best drafting teams often take productive college players with their first round picks, staying away from workout warriors and one-year wonders. But they also don't take the guys who seem like obvious NFL studs because so often those guys don't become what everyone thinks they are. 

A guy like Mark Ingram seems like a can't-miss running back prospect because of the success he had at Alabama, but as I'll discuss here, there are several reasons Ingram is not such a sure thing in the NFL.

And he's not the only one. 

Ingram and four other guys who are being rumored as possible Saints' first round picks who should be avoided really at all cost. 

Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

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CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Northwestern Wildcats closes in during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated Northwestern 48-27. (Photo by

Yes, Illinois has produced some pretty good running backs the last few years. Yes, LeShoure had a wonderful junior season. And yes, his measurable are about as solid as you can get for a running back.

All that being said, LeShoure is a one-year wonder, with more than 60 percent of his career rushing yards coming in 2010. Unlike former Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall, Mikel wasn't even stuck behind a future NFL running back.

Most successful NFL running backs are not one-year wonders at the college level. Add in the fact that the Saints already have two guys who are very similar to him, including fellow Illini alum Pierre Thomas, and LeShoure is simply not a good fit for the Saints.  

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

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AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes picks up the loose ball which was knocked out of the hand of quarterback Colt McCoy of the Texas Longhorns as he rolled out in the second quarter on October 10, 2009 at Darrell K

There's little doubt that Colorado CB Jimmy Smith has the physical tools to be selected in the first round on talent alone. But with considerable character questions, the 6'2", 211-pound corner's stock should fall beyond the first round. It's possible that either the Philadelphia Eagles or Baltimore Ravens, who both select right after New Orleans, may take a chance on him but that is no reason for the Saints to take him there.

However, if Smith does fall into the middle of the second round—always a possibility when a player has such glaring character issues—jumping up to take him there may be a nice option for the Saints. 

If anyone were in position to help this kid turn his character around it would be the organizational structure the Saints have developed. And in the second round, the gamble would be well worth it, considering the potential upside.

But the Saints need a more mature player to show for their first round pick.  

Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Kevin Newsome #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass during a game against the Temple Owls on September 19, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Image

Finding a picture of Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson was nearly impossible. Honestly, I'm not even sure the defensive tackle in this picture is him.

But at least I got a picture of Temple football, right?

Despite the difficulty in finding pictures of Wilkerson, the player is a wonderful prospect as a defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end. Unfortunately, a guy who seems to only fit at one of those two positions, is not a good fit for New Orleans' 4-3 defense. 

At least with a player like Cameron Heyward, he could play the defensive end in a 4-3 defense. Nothing seen on film or in multiple scouting reports seems to indicate Wilkerson is capable of playing that role and, in my opinion, the Saints simply do not need another defensive tackle. 

Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Mike Brewster #50 of the Ohio State Buckeyes waits to snap the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

You get a nice picture of Illinois DT Corey Liuget's backside (I'm assuming), because apparently there aren't any pictures of this prospect either. 

Liuget, much like Wilkerson, is a good prospect and will likely already be picked by No. 24 anyway. But if he is not, as tempting as it may be, the Saints must pass on him. 

While Liuget does provide scheme versatility, he is basically a one-year wonder, making him a boom-or-bust prospect. 

When thinking of such prospects, there is a saying that I've recently grown to appreciate: "Don't kick yourself over boom-or-bust guys who turn out well that you didn't draft. Only make sure the guys you do draft develop into the type of player you want." 

Sure, Liuget could easily turn into a very good NFL player and there's little doubt he would become a Saints' fan favorite with his French last name, but he likely isn't going to be a star. Therefore, let someone else make him a productive starter, and make sure your first round pick is a good one. 

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Alabama RB Mark Ingram's inclusion on this list, I presume, will be the most controversial. And it is for good reason, as Ingram was an extremely productive college player, winning a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship. 

That being said, at 5'9", Ingram lacks the height that would be preferred for the position. Add in his overall lack of explosion, and Ingram appears to be a short-yardage back and that's about it. Ingram's ceiling appears to be much lower than many of the other running back prospects in this draft. 

Yes, you know you're getting a winner who plays the game with passion, but again the Saints already have several running backs who fit that bill. 

Only a cheaper replacement for Reggie Bush makes any sense at the running back position in this draft. And that guy would likely come in the second or third round. His name is DeMarco Murray from Oklahoma. 

Conclusion

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Robert Meachem #17 of the New Orleans Saints against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Using the criteria I have for these five prospects, Robert Meachem would not have been a first-round selection for the Saints in 2007. And I would have been wrong, as Meachem has developed into an explosive and crucial weapon for the vaunted Saints' passing attack, as well as their best blocking receiver.

My point is that the Saints could select any of these guys in the first round, and any of them could turn out to be productive long-time solutions for the Saints at their position. 

These are just my opinions, and I have no idea how the Saints feel about any of these prospects.

I just know if I were Mickey Loomis, these are five possible first round prospects that I would avoid.