How Each Draft Pick Fits into New Orleans Saints' Plan in 2012

After my initial reaction to the New Orleans Saints' 2012 draft class, I've come to look past that they reached on three of their five picks, and possibly a fourth.

Marcel Jones was a fringe seventh-rounder, but you can't fault the team for not wanting to compete for his services in the undrafted free agency after the draft.

Last time the Saints had five or fewer picks was 2009, the year they won the Super Bowl.

It's also the year they "threw away" two fourth-round picks on injury-prone players that never saw the playing field, Chip Vaughn and Stanley Arnoux.

New Orleans did get Malcolm Jenkins and Thomas Morstead out of that draft, so you just never know.

With that being said, let's take a look at how each pick fits into the team's plans this year and beyond. 

Third-Round Pick: Akiem Hicks, DT

The Hicks pick, while a reach, just oozes with potential.

That's why I was very high on him lower in the draft, because despite all of his gifted traits, his competition level was very mediocre.

I know he was scheduled to become an LSU Tiger if not for an unfortunate situation involving a limo ride. Just because he was a highly-touted prep prospect that was supposed to go to LSU doesn't make him ready for the NFL. Just ask Al Woods. 

Hicks' potential as a big, pass rushing defensive tackle is immense though, and I think he could be a part of a great rotation with Sedrick Ellis and newly acquired Brodrick Bunkley.

I could see him being rotatined in on passing downs with Bunkley, given the Saints' four guys on the line who can get after the quarterback. 

Fourth-Round Pick: Nick Toon, WR

Nick Toon could be the guy in this draft class that winds up starting from day one.

Toon has all the tools of a starting-caliber receiver in the NFL, if he can shake his injury bug.

He has been compared to Marques Colston, a deceptively fast receiver who will get the ball at the highest point and is not afraid of the tough catches.

The Saints' receiver depth has Colston filled in on one side of the formation, and for now Devery Henderson, one of the longest tenured Saints with Will Smith, on the other.

Lance Moore is entrenched in the slot as long as he's healthy and could be subbed in for with Darren Sproles. After those three names, though, the cupboard kind of runs dry with Robert Meachem's departure to Ron Burgundy's hometown of San Diego.

Enter, Toon.

Toon will push Henderson for his spot and barring injuries, could be the starting receiver opposite Colston on opening day.

Toon will also have a little bit of a learning curve to his career, going from one short, accurate quarterback to the All-Pro short, accurate quarterback he is being compared to, Drew Brees.

Fifth-Round Pick: Corey White, CB

Corey White could also benefit from the lack of quality depth at his position. The Saints currently have Jabari Greer, Patrick Robinson and Johnny Patrick on the team with NFL experience.

In a passing league, that's not good.

White could see time in dime packages and special teams while he makes the transition from Samford to the big leagues. He has a confidence and a swagger that shouldn't go unnoticed, and let's hope it helps more than hurts. 

Sixth-Round Pick: Andrew Tiller, G

The next two picks are seen as adding depth to a thin offensive line behind its starters.

I don't see anything other than a reserve role for Tiller in his career. Maybe Doug Marrone, former Saints' offensive coordinator and current Syracuse head coach, knows something that the scouting community doesn't.

Hopefully, Tiller can turn into a capable backup for Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs at guard.

His addition gives the reserve roles to Tiller, Matt Tennant and possibly our last choice on this list. 

Seventh-Round Pick: Marcel Jones, OT

The Jones choice might have caused more intrigue in my eyes than the Hicks one.

Jones has the size and quicks to play on the right side in the NFL, and is going to be less of a project than most people think. 

Being in Nebraska's option offense, Jones is proficient in run-blocking, but lacks experience and technique in the pass game.

That's where Aaron Kromer comes in. If Kromer, a very underrated offensive line coach, can start to get the potential out of Jones, I can see New Orleans cutting ties with second-round bust, Charles Brown.

Jones could play behind Strief next year and eventually replace him in 2013.