2024 Draft Thread

[JMG5]

11 hours ago, Kingram said:

Agreed on Carr. I really hope they attack OL and DL heavy in this draft.

Same. Just spend every pick on the trenches. 

[Raves]

Anyone else watch the game last night and get concerned about Penix's throwing motion due to all the pressure, even when it wasn't there?  It started looking like a bunch of short arm throws that lacked any real resemblance to what I saw from him in other games.  I mean making those type of throws is fine when under pressure and needing to get it to an outlet etc, but he was doing it even when the pressure wasn't there like he was seeing it in his head.

I think if the Saints can't get one of the top 3 QBs then they should stay away from Penix, Ewers, etc unless it's in the 2nd round or later.

[tyler735]

37 minutes ago, Raves said:

Anyone else watch the game last night and get concerned about Penix's throwing motion due to all the pressure, even when it wasn't there?  It started looking like a bunch of short arm throws that lacked any real resemblance to what I saw from him in other games.  I mean making those type of throws is fine when under pressure and needing to get it to an outlet etc, but he was doing it even when the pressure wasn't there like he was seeing it in his head.

I think if the Saints can't get one of the top 3 QBs then they should stay away from Penix, Ewers, etc unless it's in the 2nd round or later.

I struggle a bit with this line of thinking. Penix undoubtedly had a poor showing last night. Washington's offense just looked out of sync last night. Tons of avoidable flags on offense, erratic snaps, WR's not on the same page. The good news is, there is a ton of good tape out there of Penix. It's not like Michigan was the 1st good college team Penix played against and he struggled. If that were the case, then sure there would definitely be some concerns about how he handles pressure/higher level competition. Penix just this season has played great games against Texas, Oregon (x2), USC, and Utah. He had a tough road this season to get Washington into the national championship and carried them all the way to that game last night.

More importantly, Penix has shown he's not a one year wonder as he had great games against ranked competition last season as well. I also think a lot can be said about his time at Indiana. Most mention the injuries while at Indiana, but he showed he could put up massive numbers playing in a mediocre at best Indiana offense with very little supporting talent against the best teams in the Big 10. In 2020 he was looking like a darkhorse Heisman candidate prior to his injury. He posted 491 yards passing and 5 touchdowns against Ohio State, 342 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in a win against Michigan, and led Indiana to a win against Penn State that season as well. It's also important to note guys like Drake Maye and even Caleb Williams have shown some less than stellar tape in some games this past season. Granted I'm far less concerned about Williams than I am with Maye, who I do think is overrated as a prospect. I have more concerns with Maye than I do Penix at this time. 

[Raves]

1 hour ago, tyler735 said:

I struggle a bit with this line of thinking. Penix undoubtedly had a poor showing last night. Washington's offense just looked out of sync last night. Tons of avoidable flags on offense, erratic snaps, WR's not on the same page. The good news is, there is a ton of good tape out there of Penix. It's not like Michigan was the 1st good college team Penix played against and he struggled. If that were the case, then sure there would definitely be some concerns about how he handles pressure/higher level competition. Penix just this season has played great games against Texas, Oregon (x2), USC, and Utah. He had a tough road this season to get Washington into the national championship and carried them all the way to that game last night.

More importantly, Penix has shown he's not a one year wonder as he had great games against ranked competition last season as well. I also think a lot can be said about his time at Indiana. Most mention the injuries while at Indiana, but he showed he could put up massive numbers playing in a mediocre at best Indiana offense with very little supporting talent against the best teams in the Big 10. In 2020 he was looking like a darkhorse Heisman candidate prior to his injury. He posted 491 yards passing and 5 touchdowns against Ohio State, 342 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in a win against Michigan, and led Indiana to a win against Penn State that season as well. It's also important to note guys like Drake Maye and even Caleb Williams have shown some less than stellar tape in some games this past season. Granted I'm far less concerned about Williams than I am with Maye, who I do think is overrated as a prospect. I have more concerns with Maye than I do Penix at this time. 

As I said I was worried about his throwing motion under pressure, which was really obvious vs Michigan.  I can't remember seeing him make those type of throws in other games I saw of him, but it's a bad habit that flared up at that time, so it gives me pause at #14.  If we trade back a little or especially if Allen had been fired I think I would be more onboard with going for Penix, but with Allen going to be sticking around I wouldn't want to take a QB outside of the top 3 as the others might not be as favorable to the eventual HC when Allen gets fired.

 

[tyler735]

40 minutes ago, Raves said:

As I said I was worried about his throwing motion under pressure, which was really obvious vs Michigan.  I can't remember seeing him make those type of throws in other games I saw of him, but it's a bad habit that flared up at that time, so it gives me pause at #14.  If we trade back a little or especially if Allen had been fired I think I would be more onboard with going for Penix, but with Allen going to be sticking around I wouldn't want to take a QB outside of the top 3 as the others might not be as favorable to the eventual HC when Allen gets fired.

What I was getting at is he's been under duress in other games against top competition (the Texas game was a masterclass of throwing under pressure) and has shown he can make those difficult throws. If you look hard enough you will see games where Maye and Williams have struggled under pressure as well. Penix statistically avoids pressure as well as just about any QB over the past few years as well. A few great examples (below) of Penix delivering dimes under pressure even when he has to throw off platform. He has plenty of arm strength to make these types of throws that some of the leagues best QB's make under pressure. Not to say he doesn't have some faults, but I think he is definitely worthy of being a top 15 pick. 

I'm at a point where I'd be fairly surprised if we took any QB in the first round with how Carr finished the season playing well and Allen presumably keeping his job going into next year. The rumors are also swirling that Gruden might be in the teams plans, which would only reinforce the idea that Carr will be around at least another season as our starting QB. I'm fully expecting OL/DL being our first picks of the draft.

Edited January 9 by tyler735

[tyler735]

Well it appears the biggest move of the offseason happened this morning. Pete Carmichael was let go!

 

 

[Mid Iowa]

1 hour ago, tyler735 said:

Well it appears the biggest move of the offseason happened this morning. Pete Carmichael was let go!

 

 

The move we've all been waiting for.

Time for some new blood, and hopefully some production from our O.

[Mid Iowa]

On 1/9/2024 at 11:19 AM, tyler735 said:

The rumors are also swirling that Gruden might be in the teams plans, which would only reinforce the idea that Carr will be around at least another season as our starting QB. I'm fully expecting OL/DL being our first picks of the draft.

I gotta be honest, I know some have a poor taste in their mouths about Gruden, but I'd love to have that guy on our staff. And it would be interesting to see what he and Allen could do together. A boom or bust type thing.
And then go hire Michael Irvin as the WR's coach (yeah, right) and put Zach Strief as OL coach.

[SWATcha]

6 hours ago, tyler735 said:

Well it appears the biggest move of the offseason happened this morning. Pete Carmichael was let go!

 

 

Came here just to celebrate this bit of news! It'll be interesting to see who they bring in to replace him....

Penix was playing with broken ribs btw. Not sure if that's the whole reason he looked so off from all his previous games, but I'm sure it contributed a fair bit.

[tyler735]

1 hour ago, SWATcha said:

Came here just to celebrate this bit of news! It'll be interesting to see who they bring in to replace him....

Penix was playing with broken ribs btw. Not sure if that's the whole reason he looked so off from all his previous games, but I'm sure it contributed a fair bit.

Yeah I’d say that’s a fair excuse to be a little off against the best defense in the country in the National Championship 

[Raves]

3 hours ago, SWATcha said:

Came here just to celebrate this bit of news! It'll be interesting to see who they bring in to replace him....

Penix was playing with broken ribs btw. Not sure if that's the whole reason he looked so off from all his previous games, but I'm sure it contributed a fair bit.

That would actually make a lot of sense why he kept doing that weird throwing motion that I hadn't seen previously and was making me very cautious of him as a prospect.

[tyler735]

With the combine just around the corner, I think our front office will be taking a long look at the top OT's available in the draft. Would honestly be a bit surprised if we did anything other than draft an OL at pick 14. About the only other thing I could maybe see is Brock Bowers if he were to somehow fall to us or a top DE falling to us. Even so, it would be hard to go any direction other than OT with the uncertainty of Penning and Ramczyk going forward. 

I think things could get interesting with our 2nd round pick. A lot of directions I could see us going. A QB like Penix, Rattler, or Nix could be an option, but it does sound like the front office is still fairly high on Jake Haener, so they may just hold off. A TE such as Ja'tavion Sanders could certainly be in the mix. Otherwise could also see a DE/OL being an option as well. 

One thing I just don't understand it the amount of mocks I see with us using our top pick on a WR. Would truly be shocked if we took a WR that high. This is a pretty deep WR class and could maybe see if a high end WR prospect fell to us in the 2nd, but I'd be surprised if we took a WR there. I could see us trading up into the 3rd/4th round to grab one if the team liked a WR though. Going into the season I like our young talented trio of Olave, Shaheed, and Perry. They all complement each other well and provide different skillsets to beat teams with. 

[Mid Iowa]

@tyler735 I agree that a monster TE would be a great pick. We currently don't have a TE, or at least not one that's being coached at a high level.

Although our defense was rated pretty high, I think we need more there than on offense. Our D is getting old.

We need a CB as Lattimore is becoming brittle and will demand too much money moving forward. Adebo is good, but not a #1.
Along with CB, a ball hawk safety/free safety would be nice. I know we've got a pretty good stable there, but Mathieu is old and about at the end, and Maye is... eh...
Our edge rushers are decent, and Jordan (not an edge) is also showing his age.

Maybe a stud LB. Davis is getting up there, and I'm not seeing anyone who's going to take his spot currently on the roster.

And finally, a left tackle to take over WHEN Peat gets hurt, and to cover the swing and miss on Penning.

[tyler735]

My 2 biggest concerns on defense going into the offseason at DE and OLB have been addressed in free agency with 2 young talented players on low risk/high reward type prove it deals in Chase Young and Willie Gay. Very excited to bring both guys in this season.

Young instantly becomes our most talented pass rusher. There has been some effort concerns, but on a 1 year “prove it” deal, he should be hungry to get that big contract. There’s no question about his ability to rush the passer, he was actually very good in several metrics last season with things like pass rush win rate, pressures, and hurries. Even if his 8.5 sack number doesn’t jump off the page, he was still disrupting plays on a regular basis as a pass rusher.

Willie Gay doesn’t have the same “effort” concerns. He simply just was in a stacked LB group with the Chiefs and was kind of the odd man out. He has all the natural talent in the world to be a solid LB for us. His athleticism has made him a specialist in spying mobile QB’s and neutralizing pass catching RB’s, which is huge with Bijan Robinson in the division.

DE/LB went from big needs to positions we could add talent to if the right player falls to us (likely in round 2 or later). OT is our one glaring need at the moment, which seems likely to be our top pick in the draft at this point unless we make a surprise signing in free agency.

The dream scenario with our top pick would be to trade up a few slots for Joe Alt if he were to start sliding past pick #8. In most years Joe Alt would likely be a top 3 pick, but with 4 QB’s and 3 WR’s expected to go top 10, things could get a little weird with a guy like Alt dropping further than he should. Pass Rushers like Dallas Turner and Jared Verse could also sneak into the top 10. Meaning if the Titans and Falcons pass on Joe Alt, we could realistically be in a position to trade up a few slots for him. If not, there should still be other highly rate OT prospects like Troy Fautanu or Olu Fashanu at pick #14.

Round 2 will be interesting to see if we go WR/DL/LB. I think all those positions are in play. Tons of talent at WR in this draft. Surely a couple top WR’s will fall into round 2 (or beyond). Could see the Saints grab one if they fall in round 2 or even a potential trade into the 3rd round if a guy they like is sliding. I could see us going after Braden Fiske or Payton Wilson if they are available when we pick in the 2nd round.

We have a ton of day 3 picks at the moment. I expect some of them to be traded come draft day to move around and grab some targets.

The Saints are likely going to grab a pass catching RB on day 3. Kamara isn’t getting any younger and there are some quality pass catching options in this draft that should be around on day 3. Some options include Dylan Laube (most likely pick), Bucky Irving, and Will Shipley.

Dylan Laube is a small school RB that is starting to get some buzz after good showings at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He is the best pass catcher of all RB’s in this draft and could even line up as a slot WR if need be in the NFL. He also has already had an official visit with the Saints. He has great burst and change of direction ability to go with his natural abilities as a route runner. He was absolutely wrecking people in 1v1 drills at the Senior Bowl. That includes LB, and CB’s. Against Central Michigan this past season he posted 295 receiving yards in a game. 

He’s older at 24 years old and playing for a small school, so I think day 3 is likely for him. At 5’10” 206lbs, he is big enough to be a solid change of pace back for us. 

 

Edited March 19 by tyler735

[tyler735]

We just signed Oli Udoh to help with the OL issues, but I don’t know that I trust him to fix our LT issue this season. If we are able to resign Andrus Peat or a similar caliber OL that can play LT for us, I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting Brock Bowers at TE if he falls to us. Would obviously be a much more “sexy” pick than going OL in the 1st round.