2011 NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round New Orleans Saints Predictions
Amazingly, we are only two weeks from the 2011 NFL draft. As it is every year, the draft is the one event in the offseason where teams compete against each other on a national stage. Only this year, there's a little wrinkle—teams might not compete against each other on the field during the time between this event and next year's.
For that reason, fans seem to be even more excited about the draft than usual. And this draft may be more dramatic than normal as it is more unpredictable than any draft I can remember since I started following the event as a young chap.
For the hometown Saints—barring a trade up or down—the team's fate will largely be decided by the teams around them. Selecting at No. 24 a year after selecting 32nd is nice for obvious reasons—the Saints defended their title better than any champion since the Patriots went back-to-back in 2004—but the options are numerous, mainly because they are not nearly as enticing as they would be selecting even 10 spots higher.
To see the Saints draft needs according to yours truly, click here.
Without further ado, the 2011 NFL draft—New Orleans Saints edition.
1st Round, Pick 24: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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Other Players Considered: Cameron Heyward, DL, Ohio State; Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue; Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa; Aldon Smith, DE/OLB; Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA; wild card: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (If he were to fall past 10, Saints should try to trade up).
Despite my personal conviction that the Saints' top draft need is actually a pass-rushing defensive end, I have decided to go outside linebacker here. And there are two main reasons.
First, Justin Houston might actually be the best pure pass rusher in the entire draft. If you can get that production out of an outside linebacker, it makes the job of your defensive ends much easier and allows your defensive coordinator to be much more exotic—not that Gregg Williams had any problem with that to begin with.
Second, and perhaps even more important, how do you differentiate between any of the defensive ends that are likely to be available at No. 24? I cannot, other than to tell you which ones fit best from a scheme perspective. But I have no clue which ones will ultimately be more successful.
And according to ESPN's John Clayton, there have been zero defensive ends selected for the Pro Bowl that were drafted in the first round after 2007. Yes, it seems unlikely that stat will continue with this class, but it certainly speaks to the crap shoot that selecting a defensive end in the first round has become.
2nd Round, Pick 56 (Overall): Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State
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Other Players Considered: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State; Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia; and Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
NFLDraftScout.com has Chekwa rated No. 71 overall. I likely would have him as a second rounder though if I were to grade him off film. Watching Ohio State the last few years, Chekwa always seemed to stand out to me. His 4.38 40-yard dash didn't hurt my opinion of him either.
Chekwa gets the call because he is the highest-rated player remaining at a position of need. Chekwa will come in and immediately compete for the nickel job, and in my opinion will beat out second-year player Patrick Robinson for that role.
Selecting the underrated corner allows the Saints to continue to go best player available at a position of need throughout the remainder of the draft. Next up could be a running back, a blocking tight end, wide receiver/kick returner or...
3rd Round, Pick 72 (from Washington): DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
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Other Players Considered: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA and DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
I've been on the DeAndre McDaniel bandwagon all year, and why not award him to my favorite team—especially when they are desperate for help at safety?
For a former linebacker, McDaniel has surprising range and ball skills and outstanding tackling ability. McDaniel should be a more versatile version of Roman Harper—meaning simply he should be even better in coverage.
I am surprised by McDaniel's relatively low draft stock but am nearly certain we will look back at this draft in five or 10 years and wonder why McDaniel slipped so far. The Saints wouldn't mind being the beneficiary of his fall. And they can thank Daniel Snyder and the Washington Redskins for being able to select him here.
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3rd Round, Pick 92: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
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Other Players Considered: Stanley Havili, FB, Southern California and Vincent Brown, WR, SDSU
For a kid that only played two years of Division I football—after only playing one year of high school ball—McPhee was amazingly productive. He had 13 career sacks as he combined strength with good technique to get to the QB.
He is strong as an ox, which helps him play the run effectively and get off blocks to get to the ball. He is a kid that has tons of upside, and the 92nd pick is not a bad spot to take a chance on such a kid.
The Southern Mississippi-signee (out of high school) won't have to deal any with culture shock, as he is from the area. And having played in the SEC, the Saints don't have to worry about McPhee's ability to play on large stages.
Drafting the local kid (relatively speaking) seems like a no-brainer at this spot in the draft.
7th Round, Pick 226: Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama
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Other Players Considered: Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford; T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina; and Aldrick Robinson, WR, Southern Methodist
I struggle to believe McElroy will actually be available at pick 226, but if he were, the Saints should jump all over him. He's truly a poor man's Drew Brees (as the expression goes).
I have him rated as the second-best QB in this class—though I know there is absolutely zero chance he gets drafted in that order.
McElroy will immediately provide depth at the position—as he could easily come in and backup Brees immediately. He is intelligent and a good decision maker—a winner, a good leader and very accurate. That sounds a lot like Brees doesn't it?
To read a full scouting report on McElroy, click here.
7th Round, Pick 243 (Comp Selection): Zack Pianalto, TE, North Carolina
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Others I considered: Lee Smith, TE, Marshall; Shaun Chapas, FB, Georgia; Allen Bradford, RB, Southern California; and Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State
Pianalto is perhaps the most underrated tight end in this class. His stock has likely never risen too high because an overall lack of explosion and down-the-field speed. But don't mistake Pianalto's relative lack of speed for an inability to make plays.
Zack was the primary target in 2010 for another underrated prospect—QB T.J. Yates—on the undermanned Tar Heels. He exhibited good hands, route running and run after the catch ability, not to mention, he's a guy that will more than get the job done while blocking.
For a selection in the 7th round, I'm pretty certain the Saints could do a lot worse than this guy.
College Free Agency: Where the Saints Make Their Money
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Here are some names of guys that are likely to go undrafted but have at least one trait that could allow them to stick in the NFL and should be considered strongly by the Saints:
Jimmy Young, WR, Texas Christian
Greg Lloyd, ILB, Connecticut
Devon Torrence, CB, Ohio State
Preston Dial, FB, Alabama
DeJon Gomes, S, Nebraska
Evan Royster, RB, Penn State
Ugo Chinasa, DL, Oklahoma
Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
Douglas Hogue, LB, Syracuse
Jeron Johnson, S, Boise State
Allen Reisner, TE, Iowa
Armon Binns, WR, Cincinnati
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