2008 NFL Draft Review

'08 Draft Review: Round 1 (#7): DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Coming into the draft, the Saints realized that they were maybe a solid defensive tackle away from contending for the playoffs again in 2008 and they also recognised that there were two top prospects at the position and that they would have to move to get one of them. In an ideal world they would have liked Glenn Dorsey but that just wasn’t to be, so they focussed in on the big man from USC who had an awesome Senior Bowl week where he was entirely unblockable. Ellis totally dominated opposing offensive linemen, notching up 17.5 sacks in his 3 years starting as a nose tackle – awesome stats for a guy at that position. Ellis is strong, mean and tough and looks like being the missing piece in the Saints defensive jigsaw.
Pick grade: A

Round 2 (#40): CB Tracy Porter, Indiana
Despite going out and getting Randall Gay in free agency, the Saints knew they could still use some extra help in the secondary. Porter is a speedy cornerback who loves flying to the football and making tackles time and again, which is something the Saints need on their defense. He graded out as a solid second rounder and went almost exactly where everyone expected him to be. He will likely need to bulk up a bit in order to withstand the bumps and knocks which come with playing in the NFL but I don’t doubt he will be a fixture at CB for the Saints by the start of the 2009 season at the very latest.
Pick grade: A-

Round 5 (#144): DT DeMario Pressley, N.C. State
Having selected a defensive tackle with their first pick, the Saints came back on day two and promptly selected another. Pressley is a big, strong DT with good agility and the ability to make plays in the backfield. However, he caught the injury bug somewhat as a senior meaning his draft stock slipped and thus he is certainly a good value pick at this point. You do have to wonder whether the knee injury will return or cause him any problems at all, but when you draft a guy with good technique and physicality in the fifth round, you have to be happy enough.
Pick grade: B+

Round 5 (#164): OT Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Draft day cannot have been a pleasant experience for Carl Nicks – a guy who many thought would hear his name called in the middle of the second round ended up waiting until the middle of the second day. Offensive tackle certainly isn’t the Saints biggest need, but the value on Nicks at this point was far too good for the Saints to pass him up. Nicks may not be the most polished of all the offensive tackles that were in this draft, but he certainly has the talent to become a quality starting RT at the very worst.
Pick grade: A

Round 6 (#178): K Tyler Mehlhaff, Wisconsin
I’m not exactly a big fan of drafting kickers since they are generally readily available and the pick could potentially be better used elsewhere, but in Mehlhaff the Saints did at least get the best one in this draft class. Mehlhaff has a strong leg and is used to kicking in all weather conditions, so the Saints will be hoping he can bring some consistency and accuracy to their kicking game.
Pick grade: B-

Round 7 (#237): WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan
Despite all the offensive firepower they already have, the Saints could not help trading back into the second day using a 2009 draft pick to come and pick up the falling Arrington. Along with Mario Manningham, Arrington formed an important part of the Michigan offense making several important catches. He has very good hands and seems to have the knack of finding the ball no matter what. However, the reason for his slide is likely to be character concerns – he has been very close to being kicked off the team on occasions, including for an assault in 2007. He may be a very good receiver, but is this the sort of guy you want on your football team? I’m not so sure.
Pick grade: B-

With only 6 picks in the draft, you get the feeling the Saints have come out feeling a little light this year. For a team lacking in defensive playmakers, I was surprised that only the first three picks addressed this issue – I would have expected them to look for more depth in the later rounds. Having said that, the guys they picked all seem to be good choices and getting Carl Nicks as late as they did is an absolute bargain. Have they done enough with this defense to make the playoffs in 2008? Only time will tell us that.
Final grade: B+