You guys were good enough to inundate me with questions, really appreciate that. I answered all of them. Many thanks for all that participated. Would love to read your comments below and get your thoughts on my responses too. This was a beast of a post but I enjoyed it.
@SaintsNationBlg What’s your projected Saints WR depth chart, think we keep 6 guys even with philosophy change?
— Ryan Berger (@BoatRich) May 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsYou know, the receiver depth is as weak as it has ever been. The failure to lock up Greg Jennings could come back to haunt the Saints. The Jalen Saunders as a receiver/returner situation is in flux with Marcus Murphy in the mix at returner now too. I think the depth chart is: Cooks, Colston, Toon, Jones, Morgan, Coleman, Saunders. I still think they’ll bring in a veteran to compete with this group. Whether that works out like David Patten and he shoots up to the top 3 or he works out like Steve Breaston and never sees a regular season game, I don’t know. But fully expect more help at receiver on the way. I think the Saints keep 6 receivers, especially if Saunders makes the team, because they don’t know what they have. Coleman is maybe the odd man out because I think the Saints value Morgan’s speed. I think Seantavius Jones is the one to keep an eye on. Everyone likes to talk up Brandon Coleman but Jones has been ahead of him at every turn so far.
@SaintsNationBlg how many should ingram look to see? Could the saints o be reminiscent of the super bowl team? — Kev (@just_kev_ok) May 5, 2015
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I’m assuming you’re asking about carries? I think Ingram will get a heavy dose. Spiller and Khiry will still get plenty of snaps though. Ingram had 226 carries last year and I think they’ll want to get him to 250 if he can stay healthy. Somewhere between 200-250 is the sweet spot for him to stay durable. As far as duplicating what the 2009 offense did, it starts up front. If Brees has a running game – thanks to a solid O line – and time to throw – thanks to good play action and protection – then yes, I could see this offense exploding even without receiver depth or tight end help. It’s still an if, though, and it will depend on the line play.
@SaintsNationBlg occluding the obvious player, brees, Ingram, who do you think could be saints mvp this year and lead us to playoffs
— WesleyGraham (@AllotNothing89) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAssuming the Saints make the playoffs, I think Cooks and Spiller are going to have to explode offensively. If this unit remains top 5 with the loss of Stills and Graham, it’ll be because Cooks and Spiller both lived up to the potential/hype. Those two are critical. Defensively I think the Saints need Cameron Jordan to be a rock all around player. He’s the best guy they’ve got on that side of the ball.
@SaintsNationBlg Do you think we’ll regret not drafting a WR in the Draft? — Jonathan Pendarvis (@j_pendarvis) May 6, 2015
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Not to be pessimistic but yes, I do. I know the Saints really liked Tyler Lockett of Kansas State and they didn’t expect him to go before they picked in the 3rd round. Jaelen Strong was another one they just missed out on in round 3. Of course Devante Parker in round 1 was also a nice option. I still don’t know if Nick Toon will be consistent enough and while Seantavius Jones and Brandon Coleman are huge targets, I don’t know if they can be dominant or even steady. With Colston declining this position is a pretty big question mark in my eyes. The Saints are counting on undrafted rookies to step up.
@SaintsNationBlg Who’s more likely to make the 53: Our last draft pick (Sprolesy 2.0) or Saunders? Also, how do you see our ILB depth chart?
— Neer Shah (@neershah9) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI like this question because it’s one of the camp battles I’m most looking forward to. Marcus Murphy vs. Jalen Saunders. I really liked Saunders last year but I’m going to say Murphy because he brings more to the team with this 3rd down back ability. I think he’ll be the 4th RB on the roster. You can’t rule out Saunders, though, that guy was electric last year. I think it’s safe to assume there isn’t room for both on the roster, though Murphy could be stashed on the practice squad. ILB depth, I want to see Anthony step up and start. Right now I’ll say Hawthorne/Ellerbe with Humber and Anthony behind them. But the Saints need Anthony to live up to his potential quickly.
@saintsnationblg Are you guys looking for extra bloggers?? — Aziz Khalil (@azizk47) May 6, 2015
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Absolutely! Always looking for good new writers. And I have to give a shout out to Brian Pavek and Marijn Pessers who make my life easier. Great writers, friends and Saints fans. You (and anyone else interested) should email me at saintsnation at gmail dot com. Send me a sample post to review and we can go from there if you are interested.
@SaintsNationBlg which players from this years rookie additions ( drafted or undrafted ) have realistic chances at a starting job this year
— Ryan Harrison (@ryanharrison92) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe only undrafted rookie that I think has a shot is guard Sean Hickey of Syracuse. He was very sought after once the draft was done carrying a 4th round grade according to most. I was very surprised to see him go undrafted. The Saints have Tim Lelito and Senio Kelemete battling for that opening left by Ben Grubbs on the left side, so Hickey could be in the mix there. Of the drafted guys, I think Kikaha will play immediately on 3rd downs in sub packages as a pass rusher. That’s not a “starter” per say, but playing regularly on passing downs. I’d like to see Stephone Anthony start ahead of Hawthorne/Ellerbe in short order and I think that can happen. I’m optimistic on him. I think Andrus Peat likely starts as the primary backup tackle to both positions this season.
@SaintsNationBlg How quickly do you think the new defensive picks have to mesh into a unit before Rob Ryan is on the hot seat? — Alfredo (@NOLA_Fredo) May 6, 2015
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Honestly, man, with Dennis Allen on board, I think Rob Ryan needs to show some results EARLY. If the Saints are 1-3 through 4 weeks with the defense picking up where they left off last year, I’m not sure he makes it to midseason. He’s in the final year of his contract anyway so he’ll need something special early to keep his job. I don’t think Payton will hesitate to make the switch to Allen if he feels like Ryan isn’t getting the job done. I think he’s safe for 4 games. Beyond that, it will depend on results.
@SaintsNationBlg is Seantavious Jones the next Lance Moore or will he be better?
— Connor Brittain (@CB3____) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsDifferent kind of player. Jones is very tall and lanky so his skillset mirrors Colston’s. I really thought Kenny Stills was the next “Lance Moore or better”. I think Cooks will be better than Moore, he has a similar skillset in some ways but his ceiling is so much higher. Interestingly the Saints don’t have a receiver like that besides Cooks on this roster currently. I do like Jones, though.
@SaintsNationBlg was this draft the RIGHT move to Win NOW considering we have 2 yrs, maybe 1yr left w/ drew — WhoDat (@WhoDat) May 6, 2015
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That’s a tough question, but a very fair one. I lean towards no. I just question how much Garrett Grayson and Andrus Peat help this team immediately. Like I’ve said above, I hope Anthony is starting but he won’t be handed a job with Ellerbe and Hawthorne ahead of him. I’m intrigued by Davis Tull and Hau’oli Kikaha, though. I think these guys can help the pass rush overnight. And I think Marcus Murphy could be instant special teams help, and P. J. Williams could play in nickel/dime. But this class doesn’t strike me as the kind that will have 4 starters in 2015. I’m not sure the Saints could have drafted differently and been better off, but I think we have to hope the veterans on this team step up.
@SaintsNationBlg who is the surprise player that won’t be on our opening day roster?
— Matthew (@mknkachow) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsMarcus Ball? Just kidding. That’s a brutal question. I have to say this now? Man. I’ll go with Ellerbe. He’s coming back from an injury and wasn’t too impressive last year. Despite being a character veteran acquisition I’m going to say he doesn’t pan out and gets cut. Purely guessing and shooting from the hip at this point. If he reads this and gets pissed – i’m really sorry man!
@SaintsNationBlg are we really gonna sit one of the 3 tackles or is someone moving inside? — Will Erwin (@wille71201) May 6, 2015
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No I don’t think so, I think the 3 guys stay at tackle. I do think we’ll see more “tackle eligible” sets where Peat is in the game as an extra “blocking tight end”, kind of similar to what Zach Strief did when Jon Stinchcomb was the right tackle. Expect Peat to replace Strief in a year or two, though.
@SaintsNationBlg what can the Saints do with SJB? Simply letting him go seems like a criminal waste of a pick.
— JFF (@TheGearFondler) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsFollowing you on Twitter hasn’t disappointed, by the way! My response to Matthew 2 questions above wasn’t Stanley Jean-Baptiste because that’s not even a surprise. Sadly I don’t see him making the team. I’d love to be proven wrong but I do think he’ll get cut. Because he’s so tall, his body/style isn’t really fit for being a gunner on special teams. And because he doesn’t have quick change of direction, he’s not really fit to be a nickel guy. So he’s either a starter or not playing. He definitely has the size to be an outside cover guy but he hasn’t put it together. And with Brandon Browner on board I don’t see him supplanting him as the starter. We’ll see how he develops, I’m not ready to fully write him off yet, but at this point his days may be numbered. He needs a productive camp very badly.
@SaintsNationBlg what do you think of the pick of hau’oli kikaha and could you see him starting game one — Trey Herrington (@treyherrington4) May 6, 2015
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As I told Ryan above I don’t think he’s a “starter” in the classic sense because I don’t think he’ll play in the base defense. He could, but I’m saying not for now. I do think he comes in immediately on passing downs. The guy is a devastating pass rusher and I’m expecting his impact to be immediate. You don’t lead college football with 19 sacks in 14 games in a major conference if you can’t play. If it’s 3rd and 4 or more, Kikaha is in the game. If he plays well, he’ll see more and more snaps. So I do expect to see him on the field game one and he’s my pick for Saints rookie of the year at season’s end. I’m expecting big things.
@SaintsNationBlg Who starts at KR/PR Saunders or Murphy?
— Justin Schmitt (@JustinSchmitt09) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI’m saying Murphy for now because he helps the roster in other areas as the 4th back and 3rd down option. I said this above but I think this is one of the most exciting camp battles. I’m second guessing myself a little bit and wondering if Sean Payton would consider keeping both, though. I think Payton saw the value in explosive return guys with the shot in the arm Saunders gave the Saints last year. Interestingly, I wonder if the Saints draft Murphy if they didn’t experience the difference Saunders made. Food for thought.
@SaintsNationBlg Out of Toon, Jones and Coleman, which ones start and who has the biggest upside? — SaintsfaninCali (@SaintsfaninCali) May 6, 2015
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For now Toon is ahead of the other two. Jones has the biggest upside in my opinion. Fans love Coleman but Jones was the first one placed on the practice squad, the first one called up to the 53 man roster, and has consistently been ahead of Coleman at every turn in the pecking order. They are similar build and style players. I think Jones is the one to really watch.
@SaintsNationBlg The most worrisome matchup for the Saints in 2015 is…
— SaintsfaninCali (@SaintsfaninCali) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsPanthers. They’ve won the division twice in a row now so they need a target on their backs. The other opponents matter less. Win your division and you’re in the playoffs. The Saints need to outplay the Panthers.
@SaintsNationBlg floor and ceiling projections for top 4 picks — supersaiyansaint (@kirus16) May 6, 2015
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Peat’s floor is average starter, like say Wayne Gandy was. I don’t know if that name even means anything to most Saints fans anymore. Ceiling I think is a Pro Bowler. I don’t think he’ll be a dominant player ever, but I think he can be really solid. Maybe slightly better than Jermon Bushrod. Anthony is all potential, so his ceiling is the highest. He could be a Thomas Davis type. Floor for Anthony is total bust if he can’t put it all together. I can’t tell you how many guys like him in the Haslett era gave great hope and no substance on the field. Kikaha’s ceiling is high, I’ll say 15 sacks in a season, devastating pass rusher. Floor is another ACL that ends his career. Grayson ceiling is decent starter, I guess. Floor is out of the NFL in 2/3 years. Or did you mean the top 4 picks overall? If so, let me know and I’ll revise in the comment section.
@SaintsNationBlg team captain predictions
— supersaiyansaint (@kirus16) May 6, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js#anythingbutjunior. I’ll go with Brees and Strief again on offense. Defense I’ll say Keenan Lewis and Cam Jordan. Brandon Brown and Jairus Byrd in the mix, though. Special teams, Thomas Morstead and Ramon Humber.
@SaintsNationBlg Who was your favorite pick of our draft? If you could re-pick for any round, who’d you pick?
— …..kevin. (@KevinLee1125) May 6, 2015
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Anthony was a guy I’ve liked and mocked many times, though usually in the 2nd round. So I was glad to land him but I thought the Saints reached a bit. My favorite pick is probably Kikaha, I have really high hopes for him. If this article doesn’t get you excited about him, nothing will. As far as re-picks, I’m actually good with Andrus Peat. I probably would’ve passed on Garrett Grayson and taken someone like Michael Bennett (d-line) instead or Sammie Coates. I didn’t love the Damian Swann trade up, either. Tony Lippett and Kenny Bell were receivers I liked that they passed on in the 5th. I do think the Saints were a bit unlucky with Danny Shelton and Owamagbe Odighizuwa getting selected the pick before they went on the clock. That stung.
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