NOPF's Saints Seven Round Mock
We go seven rounds with the Saints... Attack of the Marcuses?

posted April 20, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

First Round
According to NOPF's Official First Round Mock Draft and NOPF's Saints Draft Plan, LSU DL Marcus Spears (6'4, 300, 5.0) is the man here. As we wrote elsewhere, Spears would be moved inside to DT permanently.

Second Round
The Saints appear to be 5-10 spots away from their prime linebacker targets for this round. Channing Crowder and Odell Thurman may scare off a conservative Saints staff with their significant off-field issues and a character concerns. We have Ruud and Burnett going in the late first round. As far as linebackers with value here that leaves Virginia's Darryl Blackstock, who is one-dimensional and limited in coverage. That leaves open another prime need for the Saints, such as T Marcus Johnson, Mississippi (6'3, 320, 5.6).

Third Round
San Diego State had a pair of excellent linebacker prospects this year. Either of them would be a good pickup in the late third or early second day. Morrison is more of a middle linebacker with some durability issues but would still be good pickup. Here's guessing that the pick is LB Matt McCoy, San Diego State (6'0, 237, 4.55). McCoy is a fast rising, dynamic, tireless underclassman with loads of potential. Added bulk to dismiss accusations of being a strong safety prospect, although at 5'11 he will have to work hard to overcome NFL blocks. True WLB has all the physical tools and many of the mental ones too, but he is raw and will need to become a weight room rat to keep his bulk at an NFL level. McCoy is rising fast after a good offseason, and the Saints can't go a year without drafting a linebacker in the third round.

Fourth Round
Big Oregon State CB Brandon Browner is falling and with a personal recommendation from former Saints assistant Mike Riley, the Saints would be comfortable drafting him here. Otherwise, you just gotta have a good feeling about USC LB Lofa Tatupu (6'0, 238, 4.84), a champion and leader on the field. Nothing wrong with two linebackers, especially if they're going to be challenging for starting spots right away.

Fifth Round
A big, experienced cornerback like Washington State's Karl Paymah (6'0, 204, 4.4) makes sense here. Pressed 225 16 times at the Combine. What's the catch? Well, he'll need a lot of coaching to get off of coverage teams and onto the defense. Doesn't play up to his clock speed and is more quick than fast.

Sixth Round
Oregon State DE Bill Swancutt (6'4, 266, 4.98) is a hard-working, over-achieving pass rush specialist who likely comes with a recommendation from former Saint assistant Mike Riley.

Seventh Round
The Saints would like to take a quarterback earlier in the draft, even as high as the second round. What they really want is a developmental guy to bump Todd Bouman off the roster, sooner than later. A guy like Florida Atlanta QB Jared Allen (6'2, 217, 4.96) has all the instincts you want, and needs plenty of development. Bouman would have no need to sweat right for now.

As always keep here at NOPF for the latest.

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