While we wait here are New Orleans' first 6 rounds.
Pick movement trades included
Thomas Duarte TE (from Miami)
A guy I was after in the draft last year, and I finally get him. The fast, athletic pass-catching TE, will eventually fill the hole left by Jimmy Graham by mid season.
Dante Fowler Jr. EDGE/OLB (from Jacksonville)
Pass rushing has been the Achilles heel of the Saints in recent years. The versatile Fowler could do with a change of scenery to live up to his loft draft selection and moving him around the field, as he was with the Gators, will keep him fresh and hungry.
1a. Traded to the Minnesota Vikings for CB Xavier Rhodes, LB Anthony Barr and QB Teddy Bridgewater
With CB a major need for the Saints in a pass happy division, Rhodes is a tried and tested commodity that instantly changes the secondary for the Saints and is named a team captain.
Pro-bowl linebacker Barr strengthens another in-need unit on the Saints D and will be looking for a new lease of life after a ‘statistically’ poor outing in 2016.
Bridgewater, will slide in at QB #2 behind the ultimate pro Brees, giving him plenty of time to get over any injuries that he’s carrying and allowing him to perfect his game mechanics and learn from one of the best in the game.
1b. John Ross, WR, Washington
With the loss of Brandin Cooks to the Pats, the Saints instantly fill that gap ‘quickly’ with Ross, officially the fastest WR in the game. Along with Thomas, Ginn Jr, Snead, Duarte and Fleener – Brees’ options to spread the ball just got better.
2. Jordan Willis, DE/OLB, Kansas State
Again, a huge boost to the needy pass-rush at New Orleans, Willis was quietly one of the most productive DE’s in the country. His speed, power and strength will see him work opposite Cameron Jordan, but will mix it up at OLB with Fowler. Let’s just say that QBs better be wary of our pass rush now.
3. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
My steal of the draft, Marcus Williams is one of the most underrated defensive prospects in this draft class. Williams is a ridiculously dynamic ball-hawk of an athlete. Williams is an immediate starter who will significantly help New Orleans pass defense, particularly on throws down the field, an area in which the team struggled last season.
4. Corn Elder, CB, Miami (FL)
The small & fierce former Running Back Elder has been highlighted as one of the most aggressive, tough, instinctive, tenacious, hard-hitting defensive backs in the Draft. Elder is like a scrappy junkyard dog of a player and never gives up – don’t be surprised to see him in an outside/slot corner/safety role for the Saints – he’ll also be used for return duties with Ginn Jr.
5. No Selection
6.1 Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston
Another versatile RB convert that's transitioning to CB. Wilson is an explosive athlete who could be considered on either side of the ball as a defensive back or a running back. A serious playmaker in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. His ceiling as a pro is high.
6.2 David Godchaux, DT, LSU
The disruptive tackle has the tools to play all over the defensive line for the Saints. His fast first-step and athleticism makes him scheme-versatile. The 6'4", 300-pound three-year starter for LSU tallied 18 tackles for losses and 11.5 sacks while playing mostly as a defensive tackle, he’d slide in next to Rankins and comfortably fill the void left by Fairley.
Note: The Saints D has been rather lacklustre in recent seasons, losing them games, opposite a dynamic offense led by Drew Brees. This season the D will undergo a massive transformation with speed and positional flexibility, playing a key role. There has been no secret that we've been looking at improving the Pass-rush and our DBs - and I believe that through the first 6 rounds and the draft-day trades we've accomplished that with a mix of veteran help and rookies.
