It looked as though the SAINTS were finally committing to the Draft as the backbone of their roster building in 2015. It is going to be a bit tough to duplicate last year’s effort, and success, this time around however. The team is armed with only 6 Picks this year, as opposed to the 9 they held last April. Count on them really working the URFA route on Draft Sunday, but for today let’s look at what they might do with those 6 Picks.
Round 1, Pick 12 LAQUON TREADWELL/WR/OLE MISS 6’2/221
The SAINTS could well be the beneficiaries of TREADWELL not being able to turn in an impressive 40-time this off-season. And his availability would be a big break for a team that just parted ways with their top receiver of the last decade named COLSTON. TREADWELL is a sure handed, high jumping, difference making receiver who also does the little things for his team. He’s a willing blocker and a great locker room presence. DREW BREES would be delighted with this selection and so will SAINTS fans. PP#10
Round 2, Pick 47 JOSHUA GARNETT/OG/STANFORD 6’4/312
Consider this Pick as the replacement for another vet let go, JAHRI EVANS. GARNETT is clearly the best all-around Interior OL in this Draft to my eyes. He comes from the Stanford pro style offense and is proficient in both run and pass blocking. He’s clearly a stout guy who can move around a bit. Once again it’s a pick where BREES should text both PAYTON & LOOMIS with thanks for helping him out. Very good value for a need Pick. PP#48
Round 3, Pick 78 SHAWN OAKMAN/DE/BAYLOR 6’8/287
OAKMAN is a risk pick here with a lot of boom/bust potential. He’s still as much a basketballer as he is a football player, but his athleticism and wingspan is exciting. I think he hit a home run at the Combine, by coming in at a hefty 287 lbs. and still looking agile. A year ago he was considered a possible first rounder, but his senior season was just average for the BEARS. His wingspan, with 35 3/4″ long arms, is intimidating even by pro standards. For as weak as the SAINTS D has been recently this pick may be worth the gamble on greatness. His performance camp time should help him understand what he’s in for as a pro football player and jump start his transition from college to pro. PP#81
Round 4, PIck 112 JAYRON KEARSE/S/CLEMSON 6’4/216
To put it bluntly JARIUS BYRD has been a disappointment since coming to town, primarily because of injury, but he has also had difficulty fitting in on the SAINTS D. Even if BYRD finds his way this season the SAINTS could use a big athLetic S like KEARSE. JAYRON is likely not ready for a big role as a Rookie, due to his gambling, undisciplined style of play in college. But his upside is also high. He ranges far and wide and can deliver a blow on receivers. But despite his errors in judgement and form he has big play potential which cold result in the kind of turnovers the team was expecting from BYRD. PP#117
Round 5, Pick 152 D.J. READER/DT/CLEMSON 6’3/327
Some might say this is a bit of a reach, but I would counter by saying the SAINTS need a true wide body to anchor the middle of their DL. KEVIN WILLIAMS is getting up there in years and JOHN JENKINS has been an underachiever much of the time. READER had a very sold senior season and is just plain old-fashioned big and stout. He does not cover a lot of ground out there but he truly stuffs blockers and jams up the line-of-scrimmage. This might be a bit of a need reach, but in Round 5 you roll the dice and go for what you need. PP#162
Round 7, Pick 237 EVAN BOEHM/OC/MISSOURI 6’2/302
BOEHM is a reliable, stout Interior OL and was rated a lot higher than this last summer. His measurables kind of came up to bite him as teams dug deeper on him. His Combine arm measurement of only 31 5/8″ cost him, even though that is not a death sentence inside at OC. Working in his favor is the likelihood that he can play all 3 inside positions, having started at OG for Mizzou as a freshman. Guys of his ilk have earned jobs in the NFL with grit and determination. Mark him down as another one. Very productive college player, in a tough conference, make him worth the Pick this late. PP#231
This group of Draftees would fill some immediate needs, as well as offer potential contributors for the long haul. Add another dozen URFA to the mix and SAINTS Training Camp well could be very competitive come Summer.
PIGSKIN
