The New Orleans Saints have officially made their second and final pick at No. 31 in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, selecting Clemson ILB Stephone Anthony.
The need for an interior linebacker was pressing with uncertainty of David Hawthorne‘s long-term starting capabilities and question marks surrounding Dannell Ellerbe, who looks to bounce back from a season-ending hip injury he suffered last year with the Miami Dolphins. I like the pick — Anthony is going to be a great fit down on the bayou.
Fans, players and media reacted to the Stephone Anthony pick on Twitter:
With the 31st pick in the NFL Draft the #Saints select Clemson LB Stephone Anthony! #SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/KLC6Kff6au
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 1, 2015
.@TideNFL, I'm ready to be Black & Gold! #Saints fans, tell me what #OurColors represent. #Spon pic.twitter.com/soXklwyMEa
— Stephone Anthony (@stephoneanthony) May 1, 2015
@Saints Good pick.
— Hammer (@ElvisSoFreshly) May 1, 2015
@Saints I like the pick
— J Rung (@Helor145) May 1, 2015
@Saints Solid pick, still got a question with that 13th pick though
— Jelaminah (@MissJelaminah) May 1, 2015
@Saints He's great, but we could take him in 2nd round. Anyway, he will be great
— GUSTA (@gstvvlz) May 1, 2015
@Saints don't like this pick either. But it's not Randy Gregory so I'm good
— Meco (@Mr_Wh0_Dat) May 1, 2015
#Saints Payton said Stephone Anthony stood out among group of similarly-rated ILBS based on combination of production, leadership, combine
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) May 1, 2015
Nice!!.. @stephoneanthony welcome to the team.
— jairus byrd (@jairusbyrd) May 1, 2015
Love it when a coach I respect sees what I see, I couldn't understand why Stephone Anthony wasn't everybody's top pick at inside LBer. @PFF
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) May 1, 2015
Don't know much about Stephone Anthony, but I like what I heard from Mel, Gruden and Louis. #whodat
— stan verrett (@stanverrett) May 1, 2015
@stephoneanthony welcome to the fam my G! Let's get to work!
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) May 1, 2015
Clemson ILB Stephone Anthony fills a need to Saints at 31. Thought he might be a 2nd rounder. Still a good addition.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) May 1, 2015
Saints pick Stephone Anthony-MLB. I knew the Saints loved him. Had him going there in 2.. 330 tackles, 34 1/2 tackles for losses..
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) May 1, 2015
They have messed around and put two Clemson boys together on same team lets go @stephoneanthony
— CJ SPILLER (@CJSPILLER) May 1, 2015
Absolutely agree!! #WHODAT RT @LunchpailD: WHAT A PICK BY THE #SAINTS! Stephone Anthony is going to be a STAR! Best ILB in the draft for me.
— I'M DATMAN (@SaintsDatMan) May 1, 2015
The New Orleans Saints addressed the pressing need at inside linebacker with Anthony — the talent is undeniable. The Who Dat Nation holds a firm trust in the decisions of Coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis. Welcome to the Big Easy, Stephone Anthony!