New Orleans Saints: NFL Offseason Report Card

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New Orleans Saints
2009 Draft Grade: C

Free Agent/Non Draft: B-

Total Grade: C

Overall Needs:
•Outside Linebacker
•Cornerback
•Safety
•Running Back
•Defensive End
•Defensive Tackle
•Backup Quarterback
•Guard

Draft Picks:
Rd / Sel# / Name / Pos. / School
1) 14 Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State
4) 116 Chip Vaughn S Wake Forest
4) 118 Stanley Arnoux LB Wake Forest
5) 164 Thomas Morstead P SMU

Arrivals: Old Team
DT Rod Coleman (FA) Atlanta
FB Heath Evans (FA) New England
CB Jabari Greer (FA) Buffalo
C Nick Leckey (FA) St. Louis
S Pierson Prioleau (FA) Jacksonville
S Darren Sharper (FA) Minnesota
DE Paul Spicer (FA) Jacksonville
WR Paris Warren (FA) Tampa Bay

Departures: New Team
FS Josh Bullocks (FA) Chicago
WR Biren Ealy (released)
S Kevin Kaesviharn (released)
TE Kolo Kapanui (released)
FB Mike Karney (FA) St. Louis
RB Deuce McAllister (FA)
WR David Patten (FA) Cleveland
DT Hollis Thomas (released)

Offseason Analysis:

The New Orleans Saints had just five selections in this draft but the emphasis wisely was on defense. They started with their first pick, Malcolm Jenkins, a corner from Ohio State, who can also play safety. They’ll use him at corner, a very weak spot last year.

In the fourth round, they added Chip Vaughn from Wake Forest. Vaughn could be the answer at strong safety though his 4.42 40 time could make him a free safety prospect as well. Their other fourth rounder was another Wake Forest selection in LB Stanley Arnoux. He has outstanding speed (4.56 40) and cay play inside or outside. They grabbed a punter in their final pick in the fifth round with the selection of Thomas Morstead from SMU. He struggled as a senior so you have to wonder what the Saints were thinking.

As for changes in the offseason, the Saints let go of long-time running back Deuce McAllister, which leaves them with Pierre Thomas as the complement to Reggie Bush. Heath Evans was a nice pickup at fullback. He fits in well as a receiver and blocker. On defense, the Saints needed big-time help. They picked up Paul Spicer to help out at end and at tackle.

They also signed veteran corner Jabari Greer to help out in a secondary that’s been abused. Add Darren Sharper for his leadership and veteran Pierson Prioleau for depth and New Orleans should at least be more than adequate in the defensive backfield.

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