New Orleans SAINTS official thread 2015-16

[JohnRogers]

So what was the problem with Drew Bree's last season?

[treeduck]

So what was the problem with Drew Bree's last season?

Last season? Errr yeah well he only lead the league in passing yards,, average yards per game and completion percentage, he'll do better next year though don't worry. http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/286/4/a/smiley_banana_moonwalk_by_xmlpfimloverx-d6qb3oi.gif

[treeduck]

The real question is what happened to Kaepernick last season!

[JohnRogers]

I thought he threw a lot of picks while the Saints imploded. I didn't watch the NFC South last season as much as most years.

[treeduck]

I thought he threw a lot of picks while the Saints imploded. I didn't watch the NFC South last season as much as most years.

The SAINTS problem was that they were 31st in total defense, meanwhile the 49ers were 5th.

[liquidcrystalcompass]

I thought he threw a lot of picks while the Saints imploded. I didn't watch the NFC South last season as much as most years.

The SAINTS problem was that they were 31st in total defense, meanwhile the 49ers were 5th.

Do you think they should have kept Ryan?

[treeduck]

I thought he threw a lot of picks while the Saints imploded. I didn't watch the NFC South last season as much as most years.

The SAINTS problem was that they were 31st in total defense, meanwhile the 49ers were 5th.

Do you think they should have kept Ryan?

Well he had one good year with the Saints and one bad year, this year we'll find out which one is the fluke and which one is the real Ryan.

[treeduck]

At pivotal time for Saints, here’s a position-by-position look at how their offseason might unfold

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CH/20150115/DM03/150119529/AR/0/AR-150119529.jpg

Disappointing seasons often lead to sweeping change — especially when said season began with championship aspirations.

 

We’ve already seen some of the pieces fall for the New Orleans Saints.

 

Major changes have been made to the coaching staff, and coach Sean Payton has spoken out about the lack of leadership in his locker room.

 

What we haven’t seen is how the changes will affect the roster. With just a little bit more than a week remaining to trim more than $20 million to get in compliance with the salary cap, things have been silent at Saints headquarters.

 

But what we do know is that change is coming. This roster needs upgrades at several key spots on defense, and hard salary decisions will need to be made at others where players with bloated contracts exist.

 

How shrewd the team is in trimming the fat from its roster will determine what this team can do in the offseason. With $109 million in cap space tied up in the top 10 players on the roster, it could be difficult to find much room to play with. But several of those hits will be decreased in the coming days when the team converts several roster bonuses to signing bonuses, which can be spread out over a number of years.

 

And, besides, General Manager Mickey Loomis always seems to find a way to fit players under the cap. It will be interesting to see what he comes up.

 

In the meantime, here’s a look at how things stand heading into the free agency period:

 

Quarterbacks

 

Even though his numbers appear stellar on paper, Drew Brees left something to be desired in his execution. There were too many interceptions and missed opportunities which, at the end, might have been the difference between winning the weak NFC South and heading home with the sour taste of disappointment.

 

Still, even with the mistakes, Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. His spot is safe.

 

Behind him, it appears New Orleans will allow Ryan Griffin and Luke McCown to battle it out for the No. 2 job. There is something to be said for locating Brees’ successor sooner than later, but the Saints can get away with pushing that down the line for another year. The class of quaterbacks entering the league is weak, and New Orleans has too many other pressing needs to address.

 

Running backs

 

The Saints say they want to keep Mark Ingram and have placed a value on him. If Ingram decides his value is something greater and believes he can get it on the open market, the Saints likely will let him walk and shift back to using more of a committee approach at the position.

 

Khiry Robinson proved he can provide similar production while Ingram was out with an injury, and there are attractive options both on the market and in the draft. With a tight cap, it would be foolish to commit a great deal of resources to this position.

 

If Ingram walks, the Saints might want to allocate their resources at this position to acquire another “passing” back, who is capable of dictating matchups and opening things up for the offense. That element was lacking last season.

 

Receivers/tight ends

 

The Saints do not have pressing needs at wide receiver. Brandin Cooks showed flashes last season and should be even better in his second year, and Kenny Stills emerged as a more complete receiver last season.

 

There will not be a great need to add players at this position, especially if the team can find a way to chop down Marques Colston’s $9.7 million cap figure. The belief here is that both sides will be best served by finding a middle ground. If that middle ground is not reached, Nick Toon could be an option to move into the “X” receiver role.

 

New Orleans also has a decision to make on Robert Meachem. The veteran played 257 snaps last season but only made seven catches for 114 yards. He provides value as a blocker, which makes up for some of the lack of production as a receiver, but the Saints need to figure out whether there is another option who can contribute in both areas. If the brass determines Brandon Coleman or Seantavius Jones is ready to contribute, it could be bad news for Meachem.

 

At tight end, Ben Watson’s $1.9 million cap figure could come within the crosshairs, but he is still a quality blocker and provides leadership. Measures could be taken to lower Jimmy Graham’s cap number.

 

Offensive line

 

In an ideal world, both Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans would accept reduced salaries and return for another year while a young player is groomed behind the scenes. This would allow the Saints to address other positions of need and address a different position in the first round of the draft.

 

Both players are still capable of being on the field. The problem is that they are not worth the combined $20 million-plus they count against the cap.

 

If both or either balks at coming back on a significantly reduced salary, New Orleans needs to be ready to make difficult decisions. The feeling here is that greater efforts will be made to retain Evans.

 

It would be difficult to find capable players to take over at both spots. If either player leaves, Tim Lelito could be an in-house option to play guard, but it’s more likely someone is brought in from outside the organization. If a need emerges, New Orleans should look to take two guards in the draft.

 

Attention also needs to be paid to the center position. If Jonathan Goodwin is not brought back, Lelito likely will be tabbed to fill that role, but competition should be created in training camp.

 

A backup tackle could also be used.

 

Defensive line

 

What looked like a strength heading into last season is a question mark a year later. Cameron Jordan is the only player who appears to have his spot locked down. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1 million cap number) could end up a cap casualty, and the future of linebacker/pass-rusher Junior Galette remains up in the air.

 

Though his domestic violence case was dropped, Galette could face a suspension to start the year. But beyond that, despite recording 10 sacks last season, Galette was a liability against the run, and it would be surprising if there is some regret over the contract he was given last season.

 

New Orleans could use upgrades in its pass rush both coming off the edge and from the inside. It would be surprising if measures aren’t taken to shore up these positions both through the draft and free agency. It would be a surprise the team doesn’t draft a pass rusher in either the first or second round. Also, expect the Saints to tender restricted free agent Tyrunn Walker, who has shown promise and provides quality depth.

 

Linebackers

 

More tough decisions are needed at this position, where both David Hawthorne ($6.01 million cap hit) and Curtis Lofton ($9.25 million) could be asked to rework their deals. If either balks, Hawthorne could be in greater danger than Lofton.

 

Either way, this is another position where upgrades could be needed. Too many of New Orleans’ linebackers come from the same mold of excelling against the run while struggling in coverage. The team could use a sideline-to-sideline player who is capable of making plays all over the field.

 

Secondary

 

Looking at the financial side, the first order of business will be doing something to lower Jairus Byrd’s $10.3 million cap hit. His $6 million roster bonus likely will be converted to a signing bonus, which will allow the team to spread out the hit, and his $2 million base salary could be cut in half.

 

On the personnel side, there is a dire need to another cornerback to play opposite Keenan Lewis. The Saints are hopeful CFL import Delvin Breaux can contribute here, but a more known commodity likely will be brought in. New Orleans cannot afford to miss at this position again after striking out on Champ Bailey last season.

 

So, expect a cornerback to be signed, and it also could be prudent to draft another player at this position. How big of a splash can be made in free agency will depend on how much cap room the team clears in the next week. There also could be value in bringing back Patrick Robinson to cover the slot.
A decision will have to be made on Corey White, who received a $1 million salary escalator for next season.

[treeduck]

Saints $22M-plus over salary cap, but general manager Mickey Loomis has a few ways to solve problem

 

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2013/11/13750793-standard.jpg

 

The Saints need to trim nearly $22 million from the books by March 10 to be in compliance with league rules.

 

The NFL informed teams that the salary cap for the 2015 season will be $143.8 million, according to league’s network. That means the Saints have a little more than a week to trim an estimated $21.9 from their books.

 

If that number seems large, it is, but general manager Mickey Loomis structured has several contingencies he can work with.

 

Junior Galette ($12.5 million), Jimmy Graham ($5 million), Jairus Byrd ($6 million), and Curtis Lofton ($4.5 million) all have roster bonuses in their contracts that can be converted to signing bonuses to create immediate relief.

 

By simply shifting the bonuses owed to Graham, Galette, Byrd and Lofton to signing bonuses, New Orleans can immediately save around $17 million against the cap. That would mean more finagling would be needed down the road to manage future cap situations, but the Saints are already well down this road.

 

And more money could be saved for next season if some of these players’ base salaries are converted into singing bonuses while this process is taking place.

 

How Galette’s contract is handled is yet to be determined. Police are no longer pursuing a domestic violence case against him, but the pass rusher could still face punishment from the league office.

 

The team could also look at the contracts of Marques Colston ($9.7 million cap charge), Lofton ($9.25 million), Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1 million), David Hawthorne ($6 million) Jahri Evans ($11 million), and Ben Grubbs ($9.6 million) to create relief by re-working those deals or outright releasing them.

 

Another contract that could be looked at belongs to quarterback Drew Brees, who is scheduled to count $26.4 million and $27.4 million in each of the next two seasons. But team brass said at the scouting combine last month that they are not currently looking at the quarterback’s deal.

 

The league has seen the salary cap explode in recent years. Ten years ago, the league’s salary cap resided at $85.5 million. Over the last two seasons alone, it jumped $20 million from the $123 million cap set in 2014.

 

It’s only expected to grow in upcoming seasons as more television money rolls in and the value of the league continues to increase.

 

Right now, the Saints need to clear enough space to get in compliance with this year’s number and will eventually trim some more space to sign this year’s crop of rookies. They will also look to create enough flexibility to sign a free agent or two.

 

New Orleans was in a similarly tight situation last season, but still managed to sign Byrd to a six-year, $54 million deal. But to free up the space to make that move, the team had to part ways with wide receiver Lance Moore and traded away running back Darren Sproles to the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Before that, the Saints parted ways with longtime veteran defensive players Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, and Jabari Greer. All of the player were aging or fighting injuries. However, those players have been pointed to often when discussing a lack of leadership that led to New Orleans’ 7-9 finish last season.

 

The Saints have not yet started executing their offseason plan, but similar hard decisions will start being made in coming days.

[treeduck]

Sean Payton: Saints “want to keep” Mark Ingram

 

The Saints have been in contact with tailback Mark Ingram as free agency nears and would reportedly like to work out a deal.

 

During an interview at the Pelicans-Mavericks game Monday night in Dallas, Saints head coach Sean Payton indicated the club wanted to re-sign Ingram.

 

“Obviously he’s someone that we want to keep,” Payton told Fox Sports’s Jennifer Hale, according to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. “Hopefully we can do that.”

 

According to the Advocate, Payton told Hale he had spoken with Ingram on Monday and that the club had a good working relationship with the tailback’s agent, Joel Segal.

 

The 25-year-old Ingram rushed for a career-best 964 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014. He ranks 38th among PFT’s prospective free agents in the Class of 2015.

[treeduck]

Jairus Byrd expected to be 100 percent in a few weeks

 

Posted by Josh Alper on March 3, 2015, 6:44 AM EST

It’s almost time for free agency to get underway, which means we’re closing in on the one-year anniversary of safety Jairus Byrd’s arrival in New Orleans.

 

Byrd signed a six-year, $54 million deal with the Saints early in free agency, a move that the team hoped would boost their defense to a level that would help them make a playoff run. Things didn’t quite work out that way. Byrd missed time in the offseason after back surgery, struggled along with the rest of the defense in the first month of the season and then was done for the season after four games because of a torn meniscus.

 

They’d like a better showing the second time around and it would start with Byrd being fully healthy. That’s expected shortly, according to coach Sean Payton.

 

“He’s doing well,” Payton said, via Jen Hale of FOXSports New Orleans. “His rehab is on schedule. He’ll be cleared for minicamp. We’re looking at about 2 or 3 weeks from him being 100 percent.”

 

The Saints have some work to do to get their cap in shape for the start of the new league year and it’s unclear how much they can add to the roster even after they make those moves, a situation that makes a full return from last year’s big-ticket addition all the more important.

[troutman]

Saints $22M-plus over salary cap, but general manager Mickey Loomis has a few ways to solve problem

 

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2013/11/13750793-standard.jpg

 

The Saints need to trim nearly $22 million from the books by March 10 to be in compliance with league rules.

 

The NFL informed teams that the salary cap for the 2015 season will be $143.8 million, according to league’s network. That means the Saints have a little more than a week to trim an estimated $21.9 from their books.

 

If that number seems large, it is, but general manager Mickey Loomis structured has several contingencies he can work with.

 

Junior Galette ($12.5 million), Jimmy Graham ($5 million), Jairus Byrd ($6 million), and Curtis Lofton ($4.5 million) all have roster bonuses in their contracts that can be converted to signing bonuses to create immediate relief.

 

By simply shifting the bonuses owed to Graham, Galette, Byrd and Lofton to signing bonuses, New Orleans can immediately save around $17 million against the cap. That would mean more finagling would be needed down the road to manage future cap situations, but the Saints are already well down this road.

 

And more money could be saved for next season if some of these players’ base salaries are converted into singing bonuses while this process is taking place.

 

How Galette’s contract is handled is yet to be determined. Police are no longer pursuing a domestic violence case against him, but the pass rusher could still face punishment from the league office.

 

The team could also look at the contracts of Marques Colston ($9.7 million cap charge), Lofton ($9.25 million), Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1 million), David Hawthorne ($6 million) Jahri Evans ($11 million), and Ben Grubbs ($9.6 million) to create relief by re-working those deals or outright releasing them.

 

Another contract that could be looked at belongs to quarterback Drew Brees, who is scheduled to count $26.4 million and $27.4 million in each of the next two seasons. But team brass said at the scouting combine last month that they are not currently looking at the quarterback’s deal.

 

The league has seen the salary cap explode in recent years. Ten years ago, the league’s salary cap resided at $85.5 million. Over the last two seasons alone, it jumped $20 million from the $123 million cap set in 2014.

 

It’s only expected to grow in upcoming seasons as more television money rolls in and the value of the league continues to increase.

 

Right now, the Saints need to clear enough space to get in compliance with this year’s number and will eventually trim some more space to sign this year’s crop of rookies. They will also look to create enough flexibility to sign a free agent or two.

 

New Orleans was in a similarly tight situation last season, but still managed to sign Byrd to a six-year, $54 million deal. But to free up the space to make that move, the team had to part ways with wide receiver Lance Moore and traded away running back Darren Sproles to the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Before that, the Saints parted ways with longtime veteran defensive players Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, and Jabari Greer. All of the player were aging or fighting injuries. However, those players have been pointed to often when discussing a lack of leadership that led to New Orleans’ 7-9 finish last season.

 

The Saints have not yet started executing their offseason plan, but similar hard decisions will start being made in coming days.

 

I love seeing Romo like that!

[treeduck]

Saints $22M-plus over salary cap, but general manager Mickey Loomis has a few ways to solve problem

 

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2013/11/13750793-standard.jpg

 

The Saints need to trim nearly $22 million from the books by March 10 to be in compliance with league rules.

 

The NFL informed teams that the salary cap for the 2015 season will be $143.8 million, according to league’s network. That means the Saints have a little more than a week to trim an estimated $21.9 from their books.

 

If that number seems large, it is, but general manager Mickey Loomis structured has several contingencies he can work with.

 

Junior Galette ($12.5 million), Jimmy Graham ($5 million), Jairus Byrd ($6 million), and Curtis Lofton ($4.5 million) all have roster bonuses in their contracts that can be converted to signing bonuses to create immediate relief.

 

By simply shifting the bonuses owed to Graham, Galette, Byrd and Lofton to signing bonuses, New Orleans can immediately save around $17 million against the cap. That would mean more finagling would be needed down the road to manage future cap situations, but the Saints are already well down this road.

 

And more money could be saved for next season if some of these players’ base salaries are converted into singing bonuses while this process is taking place.

 

How Galette’s contract is handled is yet to be determined. Police are no longer pursuing a domestic violence case against him, but the pass rusher could still face punishment from the league office.

 

The team could also look at the contracts of Marques Colston ($9.7 million cap charge), Lofton ($9.25 million), Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1 million), David Hawthorne ($6 million) Jahri Evans ($11 million), and Ben Grubbs ($9.6 million) to create relief by re-working those deals or outright releasing them.

 

Another contract that could be looked at belongs to quarterback Drew Brees, who is scheduled to count $26.4 million and $27.4 million in each of the next two seasons. But team brass said at the scouting combine last month that they are not currently looking at the quarterback’s deal.

 

The league has seen the salary cap explode in recent years. Ten years ago, the league’s salary cap resided at $85.5 million. Over the last two seasons alone, it jumped $20 million from the $123 million cap set in 2014.

 

It’s only expected to grow in upcoming seasons as more television money rolls in and the value of the league continues to increase.

 

Right now, the Saints need to clear enough space to get in compliance with this year’s number and will eventually trim some more space to sign this year’s crop of rookies. They will also look to create enough flexibility to sign a free agent or two.

 

New Orleans was in a similarly tight situation last season, but still managed to sign Byrd to a six-year, $54 million deal. But to free up the space to make that move, the team had to part ways with wide receiver Lance Moore and traded away running back Darren Sproles to the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Before that, the Saints parted ways with longtime veteran defensive players Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, and Jabari Greer. All of the player were aging or fighting injuries. However, those players have been pointed to often when discussing a lack of leadership that led to New Orleans’ 7-9 finish last season.

 

The Saints have not yet started executing their offseason plan, but similar hard decisions will start being made in coming days.

 

I love seeing Romo like that!

 

He seems to spend a lot of time in that position!

[troutman]

Saints $22M-plus over salary cap, but general manager Mickey Loomis has a few ways to solve problem

 

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2013/11/13750793-standard.jpg

 

The Saints need to trim nearly $22 million from the books by March 10 to be in compliance with league rules.

 

The NFL informed teams that the salary cap for the 2015 season will be $143.8 million, according to league’s network. That means the Saints have a little more than a week to trim an estimated $21.9 from their books.

 

If that number seems large, it is, but general manager Mickey Loomis structured has several contingencies he can work with.

 

Junior Galette ($12.5 million), Jimmy Graham ($5 million), Jairus Byrd ($6 million), and Curtis Lofton ($4.5 million) all have roster bonuses in their contracts that can be converted to signing bonuses to create immediate relief.

 

By simply shifting the bonuses owed to Graham, Galette, Byrd and Lofton to signing bonuses, New Orleans can immediately save around $17 million against the cap. That would mean more finagling would be needed down the road to manage future cap situations, but the Saints are already well down this road.

 

And more money could be saved for next season if some of these players’ base salaries are converted into singing bonuses while this process is taking place.

 

How Galette’s contract is handled is yet to be determined. Police are no longer pursuing a domestic violence case against him, but the pass rusher could still face punishment from the league office.

 

The team could also look at the contracts of Marques Colston ($9.7 million cap charge), Lofton ($9.25 million), Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1 million), David Hawthorne ($6 million) Jahri Evans ($11 million), and Ben Grubbs ($9.6 million) to create relief by re-working those deals or outright releasing them.

 

Another contract that could be looked at belongs to quarterback Drew Brees, who is scheduled to count $26.4 million and $27.4 million in each of the next two seasons. But team brass said at the scouting combine last month that they are not currently looking at the quarterback’s deal.

 

The league has seen the salary cap explode in recent years. Ten years ago, the league’s salary cap resided at $85.5 million. Over the last two seasons alone, it jumped $20 million from the $123 million cap set in 2014.

 

It’s only expected to grow in upcoming seasons as more television money rolls in and the value of the league continues to increase.

 

Right now, the Saints need to clear enough space to get in compliance with this year’s number and will eventually trim some more space to sign this year’s crop of rookies. They will also look to create enough flexibility to sign a free agent or two.

 

New Orleans was in a similarly tight situation last season, but still managed to sign Byrd to a six-year, $54 million deal. But to free up the space to make that move, the team had to part ways with wide receiver Lance Moore and traded away running back Darren Sproles to the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Before that, the Saints parted ways with longtime veteran defensive players Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, and Jabari Greer. All of the player were aging or fighting injuries. However, those players have been pointed to often when discussing a lack of leadership that led to New Orleans’ 7-9 finish last season.

 

The Saints have not yet started executing their offseason plan, but similar hard decisions will start being made in coming days.

 

I love seeing Romo like that!

 

He seems to spend a lot of time in that position!

 

:dweez:

[treeduck]

Eagles may have interest in Mark Ingram

 

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 4, 2015, 11:56 AM EST

So who will the Eagles turn to at running back after they’ve traded away LeSean McCoy? One option could be soon-to-be free agent Mark Ingram.

 

Ingram, who becomes a free agent when his rookie contract with the Saints expires on Tuesday, appears to be on the Eagles’ radar. Lyons Yellin of WWL-TV has heard rumblings about the Eagles being interested in Ingram, whose straight-ahead running style may be more to Chip Kelly’s liking.

 

If the Eagles were to sign Ingram, it would be the second straight season that they took a running back from New Orleans. Last year they acquired Darren Sproles in a trade with the Saints.

 

The Saints, however, don’t want Ingram to go, and coach Sean Payton has identified Ingram as a player he’d like to keep. That’s easier said that done because the Saints simply don’t have much cap space, and the Eagles have a lot of cap space. If it’s a matter of money, the Eagles can pay Ingram a lot more than the Saints can.

 

Ingram is the No. 3 running back and No. 38 player overall in our list of the Top 100 free agents.

[treeduck]

2015 NFL Draft prospects likely on the New Orleans Saints' 'big board'

 

http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-media/width620/img/saints_impact/photo/17169860-mmmain.jpg

Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr., left, celebrates on the sidelines with Florida running back Matt Jones, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Fowler could have a spot on the New Orleans Saints' draft board as a solid 3-4 pass rusher.

 

Whoever the New Orleans Saints select in the 2015 NFL draft will depend somewhat on the players they sign during free agency, which begins March 10.

 

But before then, the Saints must trim $22 million from their payroll to get under the $143.28 million salary cap for 2015. That will likely lead to the release of some players, and the restructuring of contracts for other veterans.

 

After all that, the Saints will set their sights on determining what players to select in the draft, which first round begins April 30 in Chicago followed by Rounds 2-3 on May 1 and Rounds 4-7 on May 2.

 

The Saints, like every other NFL team, have assembled a "big board" of prospects as they determine what players will best fill their needs.

 

Most would agree the Saints' main focus heading into the draft should be on defense, finding a pass rusher and cornerback. There's also a need to retool on offense with interior linemen.

 

The Saints, however, will not be limited to those positions as they set their draft board (see: "best player available").

 

Here's a look at the Saints' potential draft board through the first three rounds. We've eliminated certain positions, like quarterback, that wouldn't warrant such a high pick.

 

First-round options Pos. Ht. Wt. School

Dante Fowler Jr. OLB 6-3 261 Florida

Strongside 3-4 OLB with Pro Bowl ceiling

 

Danny Shelton DL 6-2 339 Washington

Can dominate as above-average interior rusher

 

Vic Beasley OLB 6-3 246 Clemson

Speed, explosion to be best pass rusher in draft

 

Randy Gregory DE 6-5 235 Nebraska

3-4 OLB with burst to immediately help run 'D'

 

Shane Ray DE 6-3 245 Missouri

Needs strong Pro Day to showcase top-level speed

 

Brandon Scherff OT 6-5 319 Iowa

Measurables for tackle, might be better at guard

 

Alvin Dupree DE 6-4 269 Kentucky

Difference between good and great might be coordinator

 

Trae Waynes CB 6-0 186 Michigan State

Strong Combine results could overshadow technique concerns

 

La'el Collins OT 6-4 305 LSU

Could start at guard in power running game

 

Jalen Collins CB 6-1 203 LSU

Has height, weight, speed to match instincts, athleticism

 

Malcom Brown DT 6-2 319 Texas

Could be in demand with ability to play 3-4 and 4-3

 

DeVante Parker WR 6-3 209 Louisville

Height, 80-inch wingspan makes him a big target

 

Melvin Gordon RB 6-1 215 Wisconsin

Improved pass-catching makes him intriguing option

 

Eli Harold OLB 6-3 247 Virginia

Potential as pass rusher from either LB spot in 3-4

 

Marcus Peters CB 6-0 197 Washington

Character questions surround early college dismissal

 

Second-round options Pos. Ht. Wt. School

Eric Kendricks ILB 6-0 232 UCLA

Lacks explosiveness; desire similar to brother Mychal (Eagles LB)

 

Benardrick McKinney ILB 6-4 246 Mississippi State

Above-average size, length; below-average agility

 

Owamagbe Odighizuwa DE 6-3 267 UCLA

Two surgeries on hip caused him to miss 2013 season

 

Kevin Johnson CB 6-0 188 Wake Forest

Looked good in position drills at Pro Day

 

Shaq Thompson OLB 6-0 228 Washington

Could be immediate special-teamer; good vs. run

 

P.J. Williams CB 6-0 194 Florida State

With consistency and effort, Williams could be best CB in draft

 

Arik Armstead DL 6-7 292 Oregon

Has size, traits to become dominant run-stuffing end

 

Hau'oli Kikaha OLB 6-2 253 Washington

Considered a "safe" prospect as relentless pass rusher

 

Preston Smith DE 6-5 271 Mississippi State

Best fit could be inside or hybrid 3-4 front

 

Quinten Rollins CB 5-11 195 Miami (Ohio)

Four-year basketball player; physical tools to become NFL starter

 

A.J. Cann G 6-3 313 South Carolina

Four-year starter whose best fit might be in power scheme

 

Laken Tomlinson G 6-3 323 Duke

Intelligent four-year starter has allowed 1 sack in two years

 

Reese Dismukes C 6-3 296 Auburn

Another four-year starter; good awareness in pass protection

 

Danielle Hunter DE 6-5 252 LSU

High on potential; pass-rush skills need refinement

 

Ameer Abdullah RB 5-9 205 Nebraska

First-round talent, but later-round size; good ball-catcher

 

Third-round options Pos. Ht. Wt. School

Mario Edwards Jr. DE 6-3 279 Florida State

Can play 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle; plays best against run

 

Tre Jackson G 6-4 330 Florida State

Three-year starter; need to improve footwork

 

Trey Flowers DE 6-2 266 Arkansas

Not as long as most 3-4 teams would like at DE

 

Alex Carter CB 6-0 196 Stanford

Physical, can to tackle in space

 

Lorenzo Mauldin OLB 6-4 259 Louisville

Productive vs. run, but plays too upright for edge rusher

 

Daryl Williams OT 6-5 327 Oklahoma

Solid run-blocker whose athleticism might fit better at guard

 

Steven Nelson CB 5-10 197 Oregon State

Perfect for a Tampa-2 scheme; should compete for starting spot

 

Hroniss Grasu C 6-3 297 Oregon

Can play bigger than listed size; needs to gain weight

 

Byron Jones CB 6-1 199 Connecticut

Shattered Combine broad jump record at 12-3

 

Ali Marpet G 6-4 307 Hobart

Must show he can make jump from lower college level to NFL

 

Denzel Perryman ILB 5-11 236 MIami (Fla.)

Makes plays vs. run but struggles in pass coverage

 

John Miller G 6-2 303 Louisville

Scouts excited by his upper-body power; but slow feet

 

Stephone Anthony ILB 6-3 243 Clemson

Has athleticism; can be mismatched against RBs

 

T.J. Yeldon RB 6-1 226 Alabama

Versatile, rotational back with good foot quickness

 

Kwon Alexander LB 6-1 227 LSU

40 time (4.55) at Combine led all linebackers

[troutman]

The real question is what happened to Kaepernick last season!

 

Bad attitude! ;)

[treeduck]

The real question is what happened to Kaepernick last season!

 

Bad attitude! ;)

Him and Cam Newton should start a new club for big headed quarterbacks.

[treeduck]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

[troutman]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

 

Is he a free agent or still under contract?

[treeduck]

New Orleans Saints 'shopping' Curtis Lofton for possible trade, according to report

 

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/pg-photo/2013/05/24/0ap2000000206424/curtis-lofton-lb-new-orleans-saints_pg_600.jpg?01AD=3tTssU6VqjgKqSFouEmwG9WVFFHL-eAA8acw9wRsYr_o0N-Y9AEuzyQ&01RI=8C393E8322F5378&01NA=na

 

Veteran linebacker Curtis Lofton is being "shopped" to other teams by the New Orleans Saints, according to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport.

 

Rapoport said the development was "unexpected."

 

Lofton, 28, signed with the Saints in 2012. He led the team with 144 tackles in 2014.

 

Lofton has a $9.25 million salary cap number in 2015, including a $4.5 roster bonus. The team could save $3 million on the 2015 cap by converting that to a signing bonus.

 

Larry Holder @LarryHolder

 

Last offseason around this time the Saints "shopped" Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, Sproles. Only 1 of 3 stayed in New Orleans.

[treeduck]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

 

Is he a free agent or still under contract?

We couldn't trade him if he was a free agent, teams would just wait till free agency starts and sign him.

[troutman]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

 

Is he a free agent or still under contract?

We couldn't trade him if he was a free agent, teams would just wait till free agency starts and sign him.

 

So he will be a free agent? :D

 

Would you like to keep him?

[treeduck]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

 

Is he a free agent or still under contract?

We couldn't trade him if he was a free agent, teams would just wait till free agency starts and sign him.

 

So he will be a free agent? :D

 

Would you like to keep him?

No if no one trades for him, we keep him but I think we're planning to cut him. Before we do we're trying to get something for him. He probably won't take a pay cut so he's going to get cut instead.

Edited March 4, 2015 by treeduck

[troutman]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

 

The #Saints are shopping LB Curtis Lofton, who had 144 tackles in 2014 and has played in 16 games every year of his career. Unexpected.

 

Is he a free agent or still under contract?

We couldn't trade him if he was a free agent, teams would just wait till free agency starts and sign him.

 

So he will be a free agent? :D

 

Would you like to keep him?

No if no one trades for him, we keep him but I think we're planning to cut him. Before we do we're trying to get something for him. He probably won't take a pay cut so he's going to get cut instead.

 

Got it. :D