New Orleans Saints 2010 Draft Review

The Saints are in the position that everyone wants to be in: defending a Super Bowl title. They were also in the position to draft the best player and not for need. Patrick Robinson and Charles Brown will not start for the Saints immediately but could develop into Pro Bowl caliber players. Jimmy Graham is a develomental tight end in the mold of Antonio Gates. Al Woods could receive playing time early on, and Matt Tennant is a good technician who needs to get stronger. The Saints drafted like a team that wants to continue winning and didn't over-reach for need at any point in this draft.


Round 1, Pick 32

Patrick Robinson

Ht: 5’ 11 ¼” Wt: 190

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Robinson has the best change in direction of any corner in this draft.  He needs to work on his technique but he won't be forced to start because he's going to a team with an already talented defensive backfield.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A supremely athletic, gifted corner with the speed and agility to function on an island, Robinson ran slower than expected at the Combine but is considered the most explosive athlete to come out of FSU since Antonio Cromartie. Skill set could interest teams such as the Raiders, Jets and Packers, but lack of discipline and minimal on-the-ball production are reasons for pause.

NFL projection: Top-40 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Robinson is a special cornerback who has outstanding speed and quickness.  He is a good man coverage player who wants to be physical at the line of scrimmage.  Plays with a competitive nature and does not back down from a challenge.  Has descent instincts in coverage and good route awareness.  Has the foot quickness and hip flexibility to handle double moves and still stay in the receiver’s hip pocket.  Will get lazy at times and play off routes almost as if he is baiting the quarterback to throw to his man.  Will play back on his heels and have to take a false step out of his break in zone coverages.  Will close with a burst on short throws in front of him if he has a chance for a big hit or a pass break up.  Has good ability to anticipate the throw and has good ability at closing with a burst.  Average strength as a press cornerback to keep the receiver from getting a free release.  Choppy, short stepper in back pedal, but quick to flip his hips and mirror receiver.  Strong tackler who will throw his shoulder in on ball carrier.  Gives good hustle and will make tackles from the backside.  Wants in on the action.  Has very good ball skills and is a playmaker when he is challenged.  Robinson was clearly the best athlete of the defensive backs at the Senior Bowl – Quickest feet with excellent foot agility and ability to change directions.  Overall, Robinson needs to improve the consistency reading routes, but his playmaking ability, athleticism and competitiveness make me confident in his ability to become a very good starting cornerback in the NFL and should be a 1^st round pick because of it.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Athletic, instinctive and possessing good size, Robinson has the traits teams are looking for in a first-round cornerback – except consistency.  He has all of the natural talent and ability to become a Pro Bowl cornerback, but inconsistent play leaves the door open for Robinson to be a bust.  

Round 2, Pick 64

Charles Brown, OT, USC

Ht: 6’ 5 3/8” Wt: 303

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An extremely athletic tackle, Brown can fill in as a reserve player next season but could develop into a starting left tackle in the near future.  The Saints did not need a tackle but chose to go with value instead.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A long-armed converted tight end in need of continued physical and technical development, Brown improved as a senior, interviewed well at the Combine and has the arm length, athletic ability and bend to start at left tackle. However, his lack of functional strength, grit and toughness are concerns that could keep him from ever reaching his potential. Best fit will likely come in a zone scheme similar to the one used by the Packers, Seahawks or Redskins. Upside will bring him off draft boards considerably higher than he grades out on tape.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  NFL scouts are more frequently looking to converted tight ends as potential left tackles.  Former Baylor standout Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick by St. Louis in 2009, is one such example period.  With only two starting seasons under his belt, Brown may not be at the same level as Smith or many of the 2010 elite tackle prospects, but his size and athletic upside will likely earn him a first- or second-round selection come April.


Round 3, Pick 95

Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami

Ht: 6’ 6 ¼” Wt: 260

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Graham is exactly the type of draft pick that a world champion football team can take a risk on.  An inexperienced football player with unlimited upside, Graham could very well be the next Antonio Gates.  He is another prospect that will take time to develop and may never do so.  Classic boom or bust pick.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A converted standout power forward on the Hurricanes’ hoops squad who is still very raw and learning how to play the game, Graham showed gradual improvement in his first year on the gridiron and there is no denying his upside. Solid Senior Bowl performance and exceptional Combine workout could enhance his draft stock. Still might require several years before he figures it out and adapts to the speed of the game, but has a very high ceiling and really could blossom with good coaching.

NFL projection: Mid-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  The word “upside” was made for athletic players like Graham, who has gone from solid basketball big man to big-time NFL prospect in the span of a few months.  Comparisons to former Cal basketball star and future hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez are natural – and becoming more realistic every day.  You simply can’t coach his height and athleticism.  

123.)  New Orleans Saints
Al Woods, DT, LSU
Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 309

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Another Saints' developmental prospect, Woods may take a few years to yield a return, but he's going to a team with great depth in front of him and that should allow him the time to become who he can be.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Still-developing widebody with untapped potential, Woods shed weight as a senior, became a full-time starter for the first time and started to figure it out. Has the raw size, strength and power DL coaches covet and could become an effective space eater at the next level if he is able to keep his weight in check and continue refining his technique.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick. 


158.)  New Orleans Saints
Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 300

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Tennant is an undersized prospect but is a good enough athlete to make it in the NFL.  He needs to continue to add strength but has the potential to become a starter.
Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  In 2009, Tennant joined current new England Patriot Dan Koppen as the only Boston College finalist in the history of the Rimington award, given to the nation’s top center (won by Pouncey).  Tennant lacks Pouncey’s size and physicality, but is blessed with good athleticism.

239.)  New Orleans Saints

Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State

Ht: 6’ 3 ¾” Wt: 223

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Canfield is going to the perfect situation in New Orleans.  He doesn't appear to have the physical tools necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL but his intelligent decision making and anticipation make him a suitable back up candidate.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Inexperienced, soft-armed south-paw who needs to play in a dink-and-dunk West Coast offense where he can make a living off play-action and will need to be surrounded by a strong offensive line and talented skill players to be serviceable. Could battle for a No. 3 QB job if he really works at it.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Better able to avoid pass rushers after dropping 20 pounds last offseason, Canfield emerged as one of the hottest senior prospects.  He rode that to a Senior Bowl invite, but his struggles there to drive the ball consistently outside the hashes could relegate him to a West Coast offense.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

Every Morning Quarterback by Aharon Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.everymorningqb.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.everymorningqb.com.