NFL Draft 2011 Grades: New Orleans Saints Day 3 Grades

On Saturday, the Saints had only two selections, both in the seventh round.

And with them, they continued in the direction they had gone the first two days of the draft: defense.

By selecting Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus and Illinois linebacker Nate Bussey, the Saints ensured that their defense will continue to get younger.

They operated in principal under the Colts, Packers, Patriots, Steelers model that works so effectively: draft young defensive players who likely will not start right away, but can be groomed to start in two to three years and can play special teams now.

It is a principal the Saints have been trying to employ the past few years, but not until this year would I say they mastered it. By drafting Cameron Jordan in the first round, they get a guy who can come in and play right away.

By drafting another Illinois linebacker, Martez Wilson, and Louisville CB Johnny Patrick in the third round Friday, the Saints got two guys who should start on special teams right away and at least challenge for playing time in sub-packages early on.

But it is Romeus and Bussey who are of note.

Romeus was a highly thought of prospect just a season ago and could have been a first-round pick had he left school early. When he came back, he struggled through an injury and some other major issues that limited his productivity and significantly lowered his stock.

Make no mistake about it, though, Romeus is full of potential, and if he can regain his 2009 college form, the Saints could come out with one of the steals of this entire draft.

Romeus is that good!

As for Bussey, we know that he was overshadowed by his teammate, Wilson, but we also know that Illinois had a talented, yet underachieving defense in 2010. Under Ron Zook, Illinois has produced a number of successful professional players in recent years.

Most of these were early-round selections, but Bussey is a hard worker and has a motor. He should be able to come in and start on special teams if he puts his mind to it.  

Bussey was the final Saints selection in this draft, which, due to the odd non-existence of a collective bargaining agreement, also means he's the last college player they can acquire, for now.

That means in this draft the Saints failed to draft three players at three positions I believe they needed to address—a developmental quarterback, a safety and a fullback. Additionally, they could have gone for a blocking tight end as well.

But let's make no mistake about it: The Saints went with defense early and often. And that tends to be a winning formula in this league.