Drafting A Different New Orleans Saints Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Johnathan Sullivan (DT) with the 6th overall pick. He was a bust (he played only three seasons and had little production in those years). The Saints should have went with a better player like Kevin Williams (DT), Terrell Suggs (LB), Troy Polamalu (S), Marcus Trufant (CB) or Nnamdi Asomugha (CB). The Saints passed on all of these future Pro Bowlers.

In round 2, the Saints drafted Jon Stinchcomb (OT) and didn't play much in his first three years, but is now a full-time starter. However, the Saints could have gotten more value with this pick by selecting Anquan Boldin (WR), Osi Umenyiora (DE), Ken Hamlin (S), Lance Briggs (LB), Jason Witten (TE) or Rashean Mathis (CB). Again, a lot of big-name talent left on the draft board by New Orleans.

The New Orleans Saints picked Cie Grant (LB) in round 3 and he played four years, but never made a name for himself. A better pick here would have been Terrence McGee (CB) or Justin Fargas (RB). With their 4th round selection, the Saints grabbed Montrae Holland (OG). Holland never became an elite player like the Saints were hoping, so the better selection here would have been Asante Samuel (CB) or Robert Mathis (DE).

Melvin Williams (DE) was taken in the 5th round. Williams was a horrible pick as he only played one year for the Saints. The team should have drafted Cato June (LB), Dan Koppen (C) or David Diehl (OT). In round 6, the Saints selected Kareem Kelly (WR) and was another wasted draft pick (he didn't play one regular season game for the Saints). The team should have taken Tony Romo (QB). He along with Kris Dielman (OG), Antonio Gates (TE) and Gary Brackett (LB) were undrafted free agents that any team could have signed since no one took them in the 2003 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The New Orleans Saints Should Have Acquired In 2003

Kevin Williams
Jason Witten
Terrence McGee
Robert Mathis
David Diehl
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates
Gary Brackett

Will Smith (DE) was selected with the 18th overall pick by the Saints. Smith is one of the better defensive linemen in the NFL and the Saints got full value from this draft pick.

In the 2nd round, New Orleans drafted Devery Henderson (WR) and he is an average receiver (he doesn't post terrific stats each year). A 2nd round pick should be a Pro Bowl-type player, which Henderson is not. The Saints actually had a another 2nd round draft choice and took Courtney Watson (LB) and was an even worse pick than Henderson. Watson only played two years for the Saints. The team would have been better off selecting Jared Allen (DE), Darnell Dockett (DT), Nate Kaeding (PK), Chris Cooley (TE), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Nick Hardwick (C) instead of their actual 2nd round draft selections.

The New Orleans Saints next two draft picks came in round 5, which were used on Rodney Leisle (DT) and Mike Karney (FB). Leisle was another guy the Saints should have avoided. In his three years with the team, he played in only 17 games (his stats, as expected, were not good). New Orleans should have picked Michael Turner (RB) instead of Leisle. Karney, on the other hand, is a solid player. He obviously doesn't accrue many stats because he is mainly a fullback. Karney was a draft pick that filled a need for the team.


Summary Of Players The New Orleans Saints Should Have Acquired In 2004

Jared Allen
Chris Cooley
Michael Turner

1. Drew Brees
2. Reggie Bush
3. Marques Colston
4. Lance Moore
5. Deuce McAllister

The Saints took Jammal Brown (OT) with the 13th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Brown has become one of the better offensive linemen in the league. He helps protect the Saints' best weapon in Drew Brees. Brown was an excellent pick by the Saints.

New Orleans drafted Josh Bullocks (S) in round 2. Bullocks is a solid player, but not a Pro Bowl player. The Saints could have done better here with Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Frank Gore (RB). The New Orleans Saints picked Alfred Fincher (LB) in the 3rd round and never started a game for the team in his three year tenure. A better option here would have been Marion Barber III (RB), Kyle Orton (QB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB).

Chase Lyman (WR) was selected in round 4. Lyman was a terrible pick as he played in zero games for the Saints. The team should have drafted Trent Cole (DE). In the 5th round, the Saints chose Adrian McPherson (QB). McPherson was only meant to be a backup quarterback and yet, he was with the Saints team for less than two years. New Orleans should have selected Matt Cassel (QB).

Some notable players that became stars even though no NFL team used a draft pick on were Ryan Grant (RB), Josh Cribbs (KR), Atari Bigby (S) and Nate Washington (WR). The Saints could have signed any of these undrafted free agents, but they did not make a move.


Summary Of Players The New Orleans Saints Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Marion Barber III
Trent Cole
Matt Cassel
Ryan Grant
Josh Cribbs
Atari Bigby
Nate Washington

The New Orleans Saints had the 2nd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Shockingly, the Houston Texans decided to draft Mario Willams (DE) #1 overall, so New Orleans was able to grab Reggie Bush (RB). No doubt Bush is an explosive player, but perhaps a bit over-hyped. Many had pegged him as the next Barry Sanders, and so far has not played consistently at that level. Injuries have also slowed Bush. Reggie is an excellent weapon to have on the offense and time will tell if he ever becomes a Pro Bowl player or just a really good running back.

In the 2nd round, the Saints selected Roman Harper (S) and has posted strong numbers when healthy. Harper was a good pick for New Orleans. The Saints had no 3rd round draft choice, so in round 4 they picked Jahri Evans (OT), which was another solid selection since he has been a starter from day one for the Saints.

Rob Ninkovich (DE) was taken in round 5 and he should have been avoided. Battling injuries, Ninkovich only played in three games before getting waived by the Saints during preseason 2007. A better pick here would have been Omar Gaither (LB). In the 6th round, the Saints wasted two draft picks on Mike Hass (WR) and Josh Lay (DE). Neither guy played in one game for the team. The Saints would have been better off drafting Antoine Bethea (FS) and Charlie Johnson (OT).

With their last pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Saints chose Marques Colston (WR) and he was the biggest steal in the draft. Colston posted strong receiving numbers his rookie year (70 receptions, 1,038 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns). The Saints certainly got full value out of their 7th round draft choice.


Summary Of Players The New Orleans Saints Should Have Acquired In 2006

Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Charlie Johnson

A few missteps with some draft picks may have cost the Saints more playoff appearances. The Saints are one of the more exciting teams to watch because they tend to score a lot of points (especially due to their bad defense).

The team below is based on draft locations and team needs. No team will make perfect draft picks, but adding a just a couple of Pro Bowl players can certainly increase a team's chance for success.

Tony Romo (QB)
Matt Cassel (QB)

Mike Karney (FB)
Marion Barber III (RB)
Reggie Bush (RB) - would be used as a wide receiver due to the depth at RB
Michael Turner (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)

Marques Colston (WR)
Nate Washington (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)

David Diehl (OT)
Jammal Brown (OT)
Jahri Evans (OT)
Charlie Johnson (OT)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Kevin Williams (DT)
Darnell Dockett (DT)
Will Smith (DE)
Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)
Gary Brackett (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Roman Harper (S)

Josh Cribbs (KR)

Now wouldn't this defense be better for the Saints.