Saints' 2005 Draft Class

Updated LIVE with NOPF analysis

Current Inventory of Draft Picks
1. (13) (from Houston) - T Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
2. (40) (from Washington) - S Josh Bullocks, Nebraska
3. (82) - LB Alfred Fincher, Connecticut
4. (118) - WR Chase Lyman, California
5. (152) - QB Adrian McPherson, Florida State
6. (193) - DT Jason Jefferson, Wisconsin
7. (232) - DL Jimmy Verdon, Arizona State

13th Overall Selection - First round
Offensive Tackle Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
6'6", 316 - LISTEN! - Interview transcript
Details of trade: Saints trade 16th overall pick and 2006 third round pick to Houston for 13th overall pick.
Massive tackle and a stalwart from Oklahoma, Brown rose up the boards ahead of Florida State tackle Alex Brown and Washington tackle Khalif Barnes. A real road-grader with potential to play either side of the line, Brown is adept at pass protection and has a body built for run blocking. A former defensive tackle, he is aggressive and plays till the whistle, and while he is a smart, active player his ability to mentally pick up schemes is questioned unproven. Brown is an excellent athlete and probably the safest pick of the three top linemen. Barron's ferocity is questionable and Barnes' work ethic is in doubt. Brown is a top-tier athlete who was a first-round pick coming into his senior season and improved as a senior. Did not allow a sack in 2004. Brown's shoulder injury suffered in the Orange Bowl apparently has checked out OK with the Saints at the Combine. "For my health, I'm real good," Brown told WWL radio. "I started 43 games straight at Oklahoma, two straight years." Saints Impact: "Lets go get him," said Saints director of player personnel Rick Mueller after the team consummated the trade with the Texans. The Saints and Texans agreed to the trade while Houston was on the clock, the two teams swapped first round picks and the Saints gave up their 3rd round pick in 2006 to move up. Mueller continued on WWL: "Really athletic for a right tackle, some teams would say he's athletic enough to play on the left side. For us, he'll play on the right side. He's really consistent. Doesn't give up sacks. He's a smooth athlete, a former defensive player so he's a tough guy, a nasty guy. He plays with great technique, he was well coached. There's not a lot of things that you watch on film that you don't like about the guy." "Very rarely ever see him lose a battle," Jim Haslett said later in the day. "Has only give up like one sack in two years. He looks effortless doing it. He looks like Johnathan Ogden in his style of play. I'm not saying he's Johnathan Ogden, but he looks very good doing it." Later, Haslett added "Two minutes after we picked Jammal my phone rang and it was Deuce. And he said, 'thank you.' We're going to be big on the right side." The Saints will look to bench Kendyl Jacox in favor of Jermane Mayberry at right guard and insert Jammal Brown, the rookie, at right tackle. The Saints have already talked to Mayberry and will move him to guard immediately. From John Murphy of Next Level Scouting: "Big, physical blocker with the ability to step right in at the right tackle position, as a rookie... staff is determined to create a power ground attack with fullback Mike Karney leading the way for Deuce McAllister and having Brown to sure-up the right side of the line to go along with adding free agent Jermaine Mayberry via free agency, who is now likely to move back inside to guard... the Saints did not want to gamble that Carolina would pass on taking Brown to pair with Jordan Gross, and by dealing a 2006 third round choice they do not lose any of their current picks..." Other options: Texas LB Derrick Johnson, Georgia LB/S Thomas Davis, Florida State T Alex Barron.

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40th Overall Selection - Second round
Safety Josh Bullocks, Nebraska
6'0", 200 - LISTEN! - Interview Transcript
Bullocks if a fast, very intelligent player with great playmaking skills. Not a super-speedster as he's not athletic enough to play cornerback, but is very quick and can match up in various defensive situations. Ran in the 4.5 range this offseason, including a pair of disappointing runs under 4.6 at the Combine. Did show excellent balls skills at the Combine. Bullocks had 13 career interceptions at Nebraska. He has a twin brother, Daniel, is also a safety with the Cornhuskers. Is not a big hitter, and after a spectacular sophomore season Bullocks had a less impressive junior year then left early before his season season. Saints head coach Jim Haslett admitted that Bullocks had a down year in 2004 but the rookie appears to be in a good situation to learn the pro game before being asked to play right away on defense. A Tennessee native, Bullocks ran track in high school and was a runningback who took handoffs from his brother. Saints Impact: Bullocks is a good value pick and was desired by the Dallas Cowboys. Not a need pick, because the Saints already have their safeties set for 2005 with Dwight Smith at free and Jay Bellamy at strong. Bullocks is a natural free safety. "Great ball skills," Jim Haslett said after the pick. "He's got the stature for a safety and obviously he can make plays because he's proven it in the past. We feel good about Dwight and Jay, whose had two good exceptional years in the past. I don't think you can have enough safeties. We'd like to carry five safeties if we could." Other Options: Tennessee LB Kevin Burnett, Georgia LB Odell Thurman, Virginia LB Darryl Blackstock, Florida LB Channing Crowder, LSU CB Corey Webster, USC LB Lofa Tatupu.

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82nd Overall Selection - Third round
Linebacker Alfred Fincher, Connecticut
6'1", 240 - LISTEN! - Interview Transcript
Prototypical run-stuffing linebacker from a small school, Saints took Fincher a little higher than he was projected but he fills a void for the Saints. Tough as nails, a violent hitter, and a determined run stopper. May project better to strong-side linebacker than middle linebacker, but will be a special teamer at first anyway. Adequate in zone coverage and pursuit but best in the tackle box playing in the gaps. Much more quick than fast and an overachieving hard worker. Very intelligent on and off the field. Experienced three year starter at small-time Connecticut. Great lateral ability and hand usage but limited in run-down speed. Surprisingly long stride and ranges around the field deceptively well. However, Fincher may not be a three-down linebacker. Long arms, big hands, 400-pound bench press. A 32-inch vertical leap means this guy isn't stiff. Seems more able than Orlando Ruff but similar in that his strength is clearly against the run and he may be a liability in other aspects of his game. Was the quarterback for his defense and teamed with QB Dan Orlovsky to put the Connecticut football program on the map. Fincher is the first Connecticut player drafted since 1994. Saints Impact: You didn't think the Saints could go without taking a linebacker in round three, did you? In every draft that the Saints have used a 3rd round pick (they didn't have 3rd round picks in 2000 and 2004), they have taken a linebacker. Fincher seems like a middle linebacker prospect but may be moved to strong-side. "He's played inside, but he could be an outside linebacker. I would probably try him there, but it's up to Coach Haslett where he wants to play him," said Saints college scouting director Rick Reiprish. From Next Level's John Murphy: "[Fincher] weighed in at 6010, 237 pounds… pretty well-defined in most areas… little shorter arms than desired… shows very good instincts and aggressiveness… quick to read the play and locate the ball… explosive upon impact… got up the field in a hurry during the team drills… pretty fluid in most of the individual sessions, as well… good range in pass coverage… has enough speed to drop back into his zone… takes good angles to the ball… plays faster than his reported 40-times… his football smarts and intangibles make him a better football player than workout guy… but has reportedly improved his overall speed and quickness, while training for the Combine… underrated in terms of not being hyped or promoted, as a possible top-notch defender before the start of this season… has lined up primarily at middle linebacker… has made a number of teams take notice of his ability… does not have great size, but could probably carry 245 pounds… very consistent on his game films, and did not look lost or out of place against top-notch competition this week…" "There is at least one team that has CONNECTICUT senior linebacker ALFRED FINCHER rated among the Top-3 inside linebackers in the draft..." Other options: Virginia LB Darryl Blackstock, Purdue QB Kyle Orton, Georgia QB David Greene, West Virginia WR Chris Henry, Missouri DT CJ Mosley, Southern Miss OLB Michael Boley, Missouri DT Attiyah Ellison, West Virginia RB Kay-Jay Harris, Maryland CB Domonique Foxworth.

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118th Overall Selection - Fourth round
WR Chase Lyman, California
6'3", 218 - Interview Transcript
Lyman is the big possession-type receiver that the Saints haven't had on the roster since Jake Reed. Good speed, willing blocker and reliable hands, but Lyman slipped this far in the draft - and probably should have slipped farther - because of all the injuries he's had injuries six different surgeries. Lyman has suffered and recovered from multiple serious knee injuries and hamstring injuries. Suffered a major injury in October of last season that he is still recovering from. As a result, Lyman recorded only 26 catches spread over two years, despite five years of eligibility. Lyman petitioned for a sixth year from the NCAA but was denied. Defying belief, he still managed to run a 4.46 at the combine, press 225 16 times and record an outstanding 36-inch vertical leap and a 9'7" broad jump. The prevailing attitude about Lyman is that he is a great kid, a tough player, a relentless worker and a real prospect who had terrible luck. Saints Impact: Assuming he gets and stays healthy as a rookie, has a chance to play a special role for the offense. Lyman is two or three inches taller than the rest of the Saints' receivers. Durability is still a huge concern, and Lyman has much to prove. A good situation for Lyman to arrive in, not only is his size needed but the Saints' depth chart is extremely young. From John Murphy of Next Level Scouting before the draft: "[Lyman] gained a lot of new supporters by running and running very well at both the NFL Combine and his Pro Day just three months after facing knee surgery... he could slide into the end of the 3rd round (based on a team's medical evaluation), but would be a terrific "Day Two" addition thanks to his size, production and upside if he can stay healthy."

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152nd Overall Selection - Fifth round
QB Adrian McPherson, Florida State
6'3", 218 - Interview Transcript
McPherson is super-talented but an early criminal fiasco involved fraudulent check cashing and gambling got him booted from the Florida State football team. Won the starting job for the Seminoles as a sophomore after being Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in high school. McPherson has apparently reformed after confessing, pleading no contest and doing community service. Got a second chance with Steve DeBerg in the Arena Football league and refined his passing style. The Saints personally scouted McPherson, especially quarterbacks coach Turk Schonert. Has an accurate arm and a real velocity to go with superb running and improvisation skills. Overall, a tremendous athlete and while at Florida State many had high hopes for him. Runs the forty-yard dash in the 4.40 area and bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times. May have benefited more from the quick-release passing attack in the Arena League than he would have in a collegiate scheme. Has an unusual three-quarters release angle. Dropped to the fifth round because of his character concerns, and the NFL is going to be watching him closely regarding the allegations of gambling. Obviously has the talent to start in the NFL but a little big-time collegiate experience and time in the Arena League is still going to leave him raw for NFL standards. Saints Impact: Saints are apparently convinced that McPherson isn't going to be an off-field disaster and distraction in the NFL. Should at least be the Saints' 3rd QB and depending on his progression and could pass up Bouman sometime this season because his skills are more like Aaron Brooks. The task of mentoring a young quarterback with similar talents may also make Brooks a better quarterback.

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193nd Overall Selection - Sixth round
DT Jason Jefferson, Wisconsin
6'1", 306
Big, unremarkable, durable nose tackle-type interior defensive lineman who got looked at in a lot of film because he lined up next to more heralded Antajj Hawthorne at Wisconsin. Tough against the run, his clear strength, and even in college was not a pass rushing factor. Strong and somewhat explosive but not fast. Lacks dominating size but leverages well. Struggled against double teams, should benefit from John Pease and really needs to develop some pass rush moves. Played offensive line in high school. Like many big men will need to monitor his weight and keep it down. Needs to improve his functional strength, pressed 225 pounds on 19 times at the Combine. Great value pick here, Jefferson carried third or fourth round grades and slid to the sixth round. NFL future is likely as a role player, two-down lineman. Mature player, is 24 as a rookie. Saints Impact: Saints have an active lineman in Brian Young and when they slide Darren Howard and Willie Whitehead inside they need a big run-plugged next to them. That's why they look a guy like Rodney Leisle last year and now Jefferson. Jefferson is a good pickup based on value and need. May not contribute right away, as Leisle was a 5th round pick and didn't see the field as a rookie. Unremarkable defensive linemen like Leisle and Jefferson slip on draft day, as both of these players with similar strengths were projected early in the second day or late third round picks.

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232nd Overall Selection - Seventh round
DL Jimmy Verdon, Arizona State
6'3", 280
Verdon was a versatile three-year starter at ASU, a role he'll likely reprise in the NFL. Not a great pass rusher and is in need of a workout routine overhaul to harden for the NFL. Started 38 games at Arizona State and was the defensive MVP. In high school, Verdon played wide receiver and free safety before moving to linebacker and eventually, in college, to defensive line. Slow for an end and undersized for tackle right now. Like all the Saints' picks this year, he is a hard worker and has a high-running motor on the field. More of a strong-side DE prospect because he lacks edge rushing capability and while he is good working on blockers against the run isn't a nose tackle type inside. Slow, even for a defensive lineman, running in the 4.92 range. Married, has two kids, will be a 24-year old rookie in November and was a fifth-year senior in 2004. Saints Impact: Like Whitehead, Verdon will likely compete for a utility spot near the bottom of the defensive line depth chart. Verdon isn't ever likely to win a starting job at DT or DE but could become a valuable role-player and versatile lineman. From Next Level's John Murphy at the Senior Bowl: "Weighed in at 6026, 274 pounds… has big arms, but is a little soft in the middle… little overly aggressive early in the week… was told to play with more control and composure by the Raiders staff… struggled to get off the initial block and did not create great penetration… rebounded nicely after a rough start and began to show progress in a number of areas… has good, but not great closing speed… can be relentless up the field… versatile enough to be used throughout the line… fights hard and shows some potential, as a pass rusher… but struggled to hold his ground against the run… was turned outside on a few plays, which left a void for the ball carrier… also got put to the ground on a few occasions… like his character and work ethic… seemed to listen and respond to some hard coaching, which is a good sign… may need to bulk back up to the 280-285 pound range in order to progress, as a run stopper… has lined up primarily at LDE and RDE, but may also see some action inside at tackle…"

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posted April 23, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

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