2012 NFL Offseason: New Orleans Saints

Draft Grades, Season Previews, Offseason Needs, Free Agents

2012 NFL Draft Grades - Choose Team Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Oakland Raiders Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks St. Louis Rams Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Redskins

New Orleans Saints (Last Year: 13-3)

2012 NFL Draft Grade: C

Goals Entering the 2012 NFL Draft: The Saints don't pick until the third round. Like the Raiders, they'll have to use their picks on depth. New Orleans will concentrate on the defensive side of the ball.

2012 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It's still a year later, and I don't think the Saints should have traded the No. 27 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft for Mark Ingram. It was just too much to surrender for a back who's not elite like Trent Richardson or Adrian Peterson. He wasn't even the top runner on his college team. That'll impact this grade because it's one of two reasons New Orleans didn't select a player until No. 89.

I feel like the Saints used four of their five selections at least somewhat well. They added depth to areas that needed it, and they didn't reach all that much, save for the Corey White pick. Not bad overall.





2012 NFL Draft Individual Grades:

89. Akiem Hicks, NT, Canada: C+ Grade
The Saints needed defensive tackle help, but Akiem Hicks was a bit of a reach at this juncture. No major big board had him in the top 125. The good news though is that Hicks has enormous upside, so maybe the Saints can turn him into a good player. He's worth the gamble.

122. Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin: A Grade
Nick Toon could have gone in the third round, so the Saints are getting really good value with him. They're also filling a need because Robert Meachem defected for San Diego.

162. Corey White, S, Samford: D Grade
I don't give out F grades on Day 3. If I did, this would be an F. No major big board had Corey White in the top 500. I didn't think he would even be a priority UDFA.

179. Andrew Tiller, G, Syracuse: B- Grade
The Saints had no depth at guard. This is a bit early for Andrew Tiller, but that's not a major deal in Round 6.

234. Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska: B Grade
The Saints were looking to upgrade their offensive tackle depth. Marcel Jones is a decent selection. He fits the range and addresses that aforementioned area.

*** 2012 NFL OFFSEASON NEEDS BELOW COMMENT BOARD ***

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Greek G 05-15-2012 10:48 pm xxx.xxx.xxx24.2 (total posts: 1) 2     2 Granted, the Corey White selection was a reach. Did you intend to type "in the top 300" instead of "in the top 500" in your comment about where he appeared on various big boards the week before the draft. Here is why I ask: Walter Football Big Board: 331 ProFootball Weekly Ranking: 371 Draft Scout Ranking: 410 NFL.com Ranking: 208 and the list goes on -- point is his consensus rank on my spreadsheet (11 sources) was 328. Furthermore, White received a NFL combine invitation. I don't know how that list is arrived at, but just over 300 players were invited; implying that somewhere somewhere thought he might be in the top 325. Again, I'll grant you that a ranking of 323 is priority UDFA, not pick 162 territory. bieber 05-03-2012 07:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx.162 (total posts: 2) 6     3 what does "who dat" mean Whodat 05-01-2012 02:12 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.53 (total posts: 2) 3     257 @gasser the only thing the saints are gonna blow is a load in your teams mouth! Who Dat!!! Jim Moore 04-30-2012 09:09 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.33 (total posts: 1) 14     11 The Saints hit some major areas of need in the draft and made the best of no earl picks. In the past, they have drafted people that no one but them had heard of or believed valuable. For example, Bushrod, Evans, the tackled from Northwestern so I am gonna have faith in their scouts this time. gasser 04-30-2012 06:37 am xxx.xxx.xxx.162 (total posts: 2) 76     201 i hope the saints blow it this year @EmmittisaMoron 04-30-2012 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.234 (total posts: 1) 8     4 I'm sort of thinking a bag of skittles would be over-paying. Emmtt Is A MorOn 04-29-2012 03:31 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.14 (total posts: 3) 6     3 Emmmet...Shut up...They could have drafted a useful player and got Corey White for a bag of skittles as a UDFA. You obviously flip burgers for a living and also are a recent fan of the NFL... the audio equipment in the locker room 04-28-2012 08:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.137 (total posts: 1) 6     3 http://mrfantasyfreak.com/ Emmett 04-28-2012 04:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.26 (total posts: 1) 7     3 White is a solid pickup, but yes it was too early. He is a super athletic kid who is getting his degree in mathematics from a school thats very strict on academics. He will be a huge help when Harper is suspended. bill 04-28-2012 03:22 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.196 (total posts: 1) 4     7 I feel like the Saints are forcing these small school picks. Scott 04-28-2012 03:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx60.5 (total posts: 2) 4     5 I trust the Saints FO knows what they are doing with the White pick. They've gone to many small schools and picked great players(Colston & Evans) Scott 04-28-2012 01:26 pm xxx.xxx.xxx60.5 (total posts: 2) 12     3 I love the Nick Toon pick Mo 04-27-2012 11:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.56 (total posts: 1) 8     4 I like this pick. The dude is an athletic freak at 320 lbs and can chase down the QB. Obviously it's his competition in college that has ppl worried. Saints front office has proven many times in the last several drafts that they can pick out good football players in the mid rounds and I wouldn't be surprised if they develop him into a star. Boba Fett 03-22-2012 01:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx.163 (total posts: 1) 8     406 They lost 2 second rounders and Sean Payton for the year all because I played for the team. I guess Payton can sit at home all season eating all that Vicodin he stole watching his team play to a 9-7 record. Krr 02-23-2012 07:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.225 (total posts: 1) 7     7 With the bases laoedd you struck us out with that answer! Pages: 12 3 4 ...9 10

Season Summary:
The Saints should play all of their postseason games at home next time. Their previous two seasons have concluded with a trip to the NFC West champion, so it's becoming clear that they won't be able to reach the Super Bowl again unless they secure homefield advantage.




Offseason Moves:

Giants sign DT Shaun Rogers

Saints re-sign OLB Jonathan Casillas

Saints re-sign K John Kasay

Saints re-sign WR/KR Courtney Roby

Redskins sign CB Leigh Torrence

Saints sign ILB David Hawthorne

Rams sign OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

Saints sign ILB Curtis Lofton

Broncos sign CB Tracy Porter

Saints sign DT Brodrick Bunkley

Saints sign G Ben Grubbs

Buccaneers sign G Carl Nicks

Chargers sign WR Robert Meachem

Saints re-sign WR Marques Colston

Saints re-sign QB Chase Daniel

Saints re-sign DE Turk McBride

Saints franchise QB Drew Brees


Offseason Needs:

1. Two Outside Linebackers: New Orleans' linebacker play is a joke. Aside from Jonathan Vilma, everyone must go. Unfortunately, the team doesn't have a first-round pick to fix this problem (Zach Brown would be a great addition). Signed David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain
   
   
2. Inside Linebacker: Jonathan Vilma won't be playing for the Saints next year because of Bountygate. Signed Curtis Lofton
   
   
3. Defensive Tackle: Only one Saint defensive lineman had more than four sacks. In a division with Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, this needs to change. An interior pass-rusher is needed. Signed Brodrick Bunkley
   
   
4. Wide Receiver: Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are free agents. Colston already told the media that he won't be taking a hometown discount to stay in New Orleans. Re-signed Marques Colston
   
   
5. Left Guard: Carl Nicks is a free agent. Because the Saints have to franchise Drew Brees, they won't be able to tag Nicks, meaning he'll be able to test the market. Signed Ben Grubbs
   
   
6. Strong Safety: Roman Harper is constantly abused in coverage. This has to stop at some point.
   
   
7. Interior Offensive Line Depth: The Saints are a bit thin here.
   
   

2012 NFL Free Agent Signings:

1. Ben Grubbs, G, Ravens. Age: 28.
   Signed with Saints (5 years, $36 million; $16 million guaranteed)
   
   Ben Grubbs missed half the year with a turf toe injury. He's a talented guard who is a slightly better run blocker than pass protector.
   
   
2. David Hawthorne, ILB, Seahawks. Age: 27.
   Signed with Saints (5 years)
   
   David Hawthorne is one of the better inside linebackers in the NFL. He had a nagging knee injury that plagued him throughout 2011, but he still performed on a really high level.
   
   
3. Curtis Lofton, ILB, Falcons. Age: 26.
   Signed with Saints (5 years)
   
   Curtis Lofton is a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker. Re-signing him is Atlanta's No. 1 priority this offseason because he's the soul of the defense.
   
   
4. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Broncos. Age: 28.
   Signed with Saints (5 years, $25 million; $9 million guaranteed)
   
   Brodrick Bunkley had a great year as a run-stuffer, but he offers nothing in the pass-rushing department.
   
   
5. Chris Chamberlain, OLB, Rams. Age: 26.
   Signed with Saints (3 years)
   
   Chris Chamberlain is a special teams ace and a solid reserve/two-down spot starter at linebacker. He plays well against the run, but gets lost in coverage.
   
   

New Orleans Saints Free Agents:

Salary Cap: TBA.

1. Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Age: 33.
   Franchised by Saints
   
   Drew Brees just turned 33, but he's still going to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL for a few more years. He holds Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a single season, but he'll need another Super Bowl ring to go down as one of the all-time greats. He'll be franchised.
   
   
2. Carl Nicks, G, Saints. Age: 27.
   Signed with Buccaneers (5 years, $47.5 million)
   
   Carl Nicks is arguably the top guard in all of football. He has no weaknesses to his game; his blasts open huge holes for his running back, and he seldom allows a quarterback pressure. He was whistled for only two penalties all year.
   
   
3. Marques Colston, WR, Saints. Age: 29.
   Re-signed with Saints (5 years)
   
   Marques Colston's numbers are awesome, but there are two issues here. First, is he just a product of New Orleans' system? And second, if he's willing to take more money to play for a bad team, that'll speak volumes about his priorities. Just ask the Seahawks how they feel about Sidney Rice.
   
   
4. Tracy Porter, CB, Saints. Age: 26.
   Signed with Broncos (1 year, $4 million)
   
   Tracy Porter is coming off a down year, but he's still an effective starting cornerback. He'd look much better with a consistent pass rush in front of him.
   
   
5. Robert Meachem, WR, Saints. Age: 27.
   Signed with Chargers (4 years, $25.9 million)
   
   It's frustrating, but Robert Meachem has never lived up to his potential. He has talent, but it appears as though he's destined to be a mediocre wideout for his entire career.
   
   
6. Shaun Rogers, NT, Saints. Age: 33.
   Signed with Giants
   
   Shaun Rogers stuffed the run well this past season, but offered nothing in terms of rushing the passer.
   
   
7. John Kasay, K, Saints. Age: 42. -- Re-signed with Saints
8. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, OLB, Saints. Age: 27. -- Signed with Rams
9. Aubrayo Franklin, NT, Saints. Age: 32.
10. Pat McQuistan, OT, Saints. Age: 29.
11. Adrian Arrington, WR, Saints. Age: 26.
12. Turk McBride, DE, Saints. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Saints (1 year)
13. John Gilmore, TE, Saints. Age: 32.
14. Chase Daniel (RFA), QB, Saints. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Saints (1 year)
15. Jeff Charleston, DE, Saints. Age: 29.
16. Ramon Humber (RFA), ILB, Saints. Age: 25.
17. Leigh Torrence, CB, Saints. Age: 30. -- Signed with Redskins
18. Courtney Roby, WR/KR, Saints. Age: 29. -- Re-signed with Saints

2012 NFL Free Agent Rankings Coming Soon



Divisional Rival History:
Atlanta Falcons: The Saints have won 10 of 12 in this rivalry. New Orleans can thank Garrett Hartley for missing an overtime field goal during one of those two losses.
Carolina Panthers: The road team has inexplicably won 11 of the previous 17 matchups. The Saints have swept the past two years though.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A road-dominated series. The visitor won 12 of the past 18 meetings prior to 2011.



Features to be Posted This Offseason:

1. 2012 NFL Draft Grades (Pick-by-Pick NFL Draft Grades as well - Live on Draft Day!)
2. Detailed season preview
3. Fantasy football projections
4. Positional rankings
5. Daily updates on free-agent signings

2012 NFL Offseason Pages


2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 25


2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22


Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7