NFL Draft Grades: NFC South Editors Grade New Orleans Saints’ Draft Picks
By Chris Roling
Jan 29, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans can view New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees locker at the NFL Experience during the week of Super Bowl XLVI at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL draft is final, but we just can’t get enough of it as it pertains to the New Orleans Saints and the NFC South. We decided it would be a great idea to get together with the other editors in the Fansided family who cover the NFC South and hand out grades to each team based on overall performance in the draft.
Below you will find my fellow editor’s takes on how the New Orleans Saints performed in the draft with each pick.
Leo Howell of The Pewter Plank, Fansided’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers site, graded the Saints as follows:
1st Round — Kenny Vaccaro, safety, Texas — Grade: B
Vaccaro was decent value at this point in the draft, but he’s not a spectacular talent. Fills a need and helps a poor defense start to rebuild.
3rd Round — Terron Armstead, offensive tackle, Arkansas–Pine Bluff — Grade: C
Armstead is athletic, that’s for sure. And he’s not being taken too early here. But he’s not ready to step in and play 100% of the snaps any time soon, and may never have the skills and techniques to match his athleticism
3rd Round — John Jenkins, defensive tackle, Georgia — Grade: B
Jenkins had to go to a team running a 3-4, and with the Saints adopting this style, Jenkins could make an impact as a space eater in the middle.
5th Round — Kenny Stills, wide receiver, Oklahoma — Grade: B
Stills is the kind of receiver that’s going to be productive in New Orleans if he gets a chance. He’s worth a fifth rounder.
6th Round — Rufus Johnson, defensive end, Tarleton State — Grade: C
He’s quick enough and big enough to set an edge as a 3-4 linebacker. That’s fine with me.
Ken Dye of Cat Crave, Fansided’s Carolina Panthers Site, graded the Saints as follows:
1st Round — Kenny Vaccaro, safety, Texas — Grade: B
Good open-field tackler, run defender, and agile for his size. Lacks top-end speed and great ball skills, but strong to tackle the NFL’s larger receivers.
3rd Round — Terron Armstead, offensive tackle, Arkansas–Pine Bluff — Grade: D
This kid has great physical skills and athletic as they come, but I don’t like the idea of starting a raw kid from a tiny school in Sean Payton’s complex offense – he needs time to develop.
3rd Round — John Jenkins, defensive tackle, Georgia — Grade: A
Great value pick at a position of need here in the middle of Rob Ryan’s new-look 3-4 defense. He doesn’t just eat blockers, he makes plays.
5th Round — Kenny Stills, wide receiver, Oklahoma — Grade: C
Could become a really good slot WR with Brees throwing the passes, but issues with maturity and dropped passes make him a high risk/reward pick.
6th Round — Rufus Johnson, defensive end, Tarleton State — Grade: C
Developmental project going from a DE at a tiny program to OLB in the NFL., but could contribute as the season progresses.
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