New Orleans Saints NFL Draft WarRoom

by Jon Dove on Jun 16, 2011 10:00 AM EDT

Mocking the Draft wants to introduce you to an new article series taking a closer look at each team's draft workings. The WarRoom articles will give you a glimpse at the recent draft history and the decision-making structure of each NFL team. We will also include our thoughts about the structure and draft history.

Offensive Scheme: New Orleans has one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL and that won't change anytime soon. Sean Payton does a terrific job creating mismatches and getting a ton of playmakers on the field. The offense is more balanced than you might imagine as the running game is a big part of their success. The running game figures to be improved after the draft day addition of Mark Ingram. The future of this offense is still very bright as they figure to be among the top scorers in the league.

Defensive Scheme: Greg Williams is back with this super aggressive defense that looks to bring more pressure than ever. He has a few more toys to play with due to the additions of Cameron Jordan, Martez Wilson, and Johnny Patrick. These additions and the return of several other players gives the defense hope for improvement. The unit will always take risks in order to create pressure and create turnovers. It is a 4-3 base but has a lot of different looks intended to confuse the offense.

Thoughts: The Saints have done a great job building through the draft. They have hit on several big time late round prospects such has Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Marques Colston, and Jermon Bushrod. This group includes 3 of the 5 starting offensive linemen with Evans and Nicks being among the best interior lineman in the league. This franchise has done a great job balancing team need and value. They are not afraid to make a move to get a player they love as evidence by the trade to acquire Mark Ingram. The coaching staff is a key to the drafting success as they are able to find roles for the players. The decision makers can feel comfortable selecting the best player available knowing that no matter the shape of the depth chart they will see playing time.

Five-year record: 49- 31

Coach: Sean Payton

GM: Mickey Loomis

Recent Draft History: Click Here to see the complete draft history

Best Pick: Jahri Evans

Worst Pick: Reggie Bush

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Comments

Worst Pick: Reggie Bush

I disagree. Reggie has contributed to the team. Worse picks than Reggie: Chip Vaughan, Stanley Arnoux, Taylor Mehlhaff, David Jones, Antonio Pittman, Rob Ninkovich, Mike Hass, Josh Lay.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 16, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

But has he provided the impact the 2nd overall pick should provide?

Does he belong with guys like Calvin Johnson, Julius Peppers,Donovan McNabb,Marshall Faulk? No he doesn’t. Your offense may run better with him playing. But if he goes out it can still run effectively.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Jun 16, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s still not the worst overall pick we’ve had in the Payloo era. He has played, and contributed to our team. The guys I named, haven’t. Regardless of where they were picked, they were still less effective than Reggie.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 16, 2011 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

You can't ignore draft position.

Selgy

by mittens on Jun 16, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

If you are looking at an OVERALL worst draft pick, the position doesn’t matter. Regardless, spending the second overall pick in 2006 on Reggie still produced more than spending 2 fourth rounds on Chip Vaughan and Stanley Arnoux a couple years ago. How can you rank him below guys who have never played a down for the Saints?

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 17, 2011 3:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Like others have mentioned it’s about how much you have invested in him. He is a good player, but at number 2 you are looking for a great pro bowl type player. He just hasn’t performed the way the #2 overall pick should have performed so far. As a 4th rounder there isn’t a whole lot of expectations to begin with. Those guys aren’t getting paid over 10 mill per year just to be an average player.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 17, 2011 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions

But the worst pick would be the one who has done the least/dollar earned. Guys that got drafted, paid to come in, and then never played, would have a stat/dollar ratio of 0. Reggie has stats. Therefore, his stat/dollar ratio is higher than 0, in every category it should be. He is not the worst draft pick.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 17, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

You guys are debating biggest draft BUST. For the same reason that Jamarcus Russell is better than Oren O’Neal, Reggie is better than the others. He has contributed to the organization that drafted him. Jamarcus Russell, and Reggie to a MUCH smaller extent, are busts.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 17, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Worst pick doesn’t mean the least talented, it has a lot of factors. When you use a top pick on somebody you have a lot invested in him and he hasn’t played anywhere near that level. Now your trying to say Jamarcus hasn’t been the worst Raiders pick either and I think you will be in the minority on that one.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 18, 2011 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Jamarcus has been the biggest BUST of a pick. Worst and bust are two different things, but you’re using them as the same word. Worst requires him to have been the absolute worst, through stats. Bust is worst based on pick. I agree, Reggie is our biggest “bust” in that time span. He is not, however, our worst pick.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs

by Alex Swift on Jun 18, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions