2012 B/R Community Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints Grades

With Roger Goodell taking away the Saints' second-round pick due to Bountygate, New Orleans has lost its draft buzz while concentrating on "Free Sean Payton" rallies. The Saints do not pick until late into the third round, but that shouldn't discourage folks. Mickey Loomis and Co. have always found diamonds in the rough in the third round or later. 

Bleacher Report's community mock draft has come to a close, and I take a closer look at which picks the Saints' war room chose. With the moves on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, New Orleans has set itself up nicely to choose the best player available at any position. Every time the Saints have put themselves in that position, they come out smelling like roses with their first pick (Ex. Deuce McAllister, Will Smith). Now, those picks were still in the first round, so it's not like selecting in the 90's with your first selection.

Darren Howard was the last Saint drafted outside of the first round, but was still the team's first pick. It was the year after the infamous "Ricky" trade. New Orleans held the second pick in the second round, 33rd pick. (Houston wasn't in the league yet.) They never traded up and collected a surprise in Darren Howard, who was every bit a first-rounder that landed in their lap in the second.

Be patient, Who Dat Nation. You might have to wait, but it could be worth it if the past is any indication.  

3rd Round: Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia

Cam Johnson falling into the late third round? STEAL!

At first, I was kind of hesitant on Johnson, 6'3", 268, because I don't know if he's going to be Dwight Freeney or Vernon Gholston. Just to be safe, he probably won't be either, but I think that doubt is why he drops a round lower than he should. He has the kind of motor and work ethic that you love in any defensive end prospect. He is also very good against the running game.

What he lacks is production. He has the athleticism and quickness to move to a 3-4 OLB, but none of that shows up on the stat sheet. He also has shown flashes of being a better pass-rusher at the Senior Bowl. If he could turn all of his potential into production, he could be a steal this late in the third.

Grade: A 

4th Round: Aaron Henry, FS, Wisconsin

Aaron Henry is a nice prospect, but taking him off the board in Round 4? Maybe in the sixth, but not the fourth. I'm not sure he would be an upgrade over the young, back-up safety that the Saints found after the draft last year, Isa Abdul-Quddus. 

The position in this pick could be swapped with the position of the sixth-round pick and you would have better prospects with more talent. When Henry was picked, Ladarius Green, the tight end from nearby University of Louisiana-Lafayette, was still on the board. Green offers the same kind of potential that Jimmy Graham did when he was picked a couple of years back.

It is not inconceivable for the Saints to go with offensive playmakers with their first picks given the thinning depth at wide receiver and tight end. Picking Henry at a position that doesn't need depth as bad as others would have the Saints passing up on a valuable prospect like Green, or a Tommy Streeter-type raw talent.

Grade: D-

5th Round: DaJohn Harris, DT, USC

On talent alone, grabbing DaJohn Harris in the fifth round is a huge steal. We all know where "only talent" can get you in the pros: nowhere. He lacks the work ethic to be a starter in the NFL and could lack consistency in a rotation that needs it. He was second on the depth charts at USC as a motivational tool, but could never break through the starting lineup.

This pick could have been used on Matt Reynolds, a prospect who could help out the right side of that offensive line. There was also Greg Childs, an underrated receiver from Arkansas, and Hebron Fangupo, an oversized run-stuffer, still left on the board.

Any one of those players could have been a better addition to the Saints than Harris, 6'3", 306, would be.

Grade: D 

6th Round: Brian Linthicum, TE, Michigan State

Brian Linthicum is going to be one of the tight ends in this draft that outshines his draft position. I compare him very favorable to what current Saint David Thomas could do. He is a polished route-runner and consistently will move the chains. He could be the perfect compliment to Jimmy Graham if he stays healthy and works on his blocking more.

The reason I said early to flip this position with the fourth rounder's was because of the potential playmaker at safety that would still be on the board in the sixth: Janzen Jackson.

Jackson has superstar potential after starring alongside Eric Berry at the University of Tennessee. He had a few run-ins with the law that put him at McNeese State, but is definitely worth a sixth-round flier. A combo of him and Green as opposed to Linthicum and Henry would be so much sweeter.

Don't sleep on Linthicum, though. He could be the next diamond in the rough that Loomis uncovers.

Grade: B+

7th Round: Trevin Wade, CB, Arizona

Addressing the cornerback depth is much needed for the New Orleans Saints. Especially after Super Bowl hero Tracy Porter left for Denver in free agency. 

Adding Trevin Wade in the seventh round of the draft would be another steal. Wade is projected as a fourth-round talent. Don't let his low interception totals in his last two years fool you, Wade is a ball-hawk. His first two years, he amassed nine interceptions and 14 passes defended, and even returned one for a touchdown, despite not starting as a freshman.

He has missed games due to injury and lacks elite speed, but could have long-term starting potential in this league because of his nose for the ball.

Grade: B+