It is the firm belief of many members of the Saints fandom that Sean Payton believes he has done enough to justify taking Ole Miss wide-out and much hyped prospect Laquon Treadwell. Let me first say that I think Treadwell is an excellent prospect, and that I don’t think his mediocre 40 yard time at his pro-day matters one bit. If he was a burner or a deep threat at all I would care, but Treadwell wins with power and savvy as a route runner. In many ways he’s a clone of the recently departed Marques Colston (Colston is bigger, but Treadwell is probably stronger and definitely more agile), and that may be the biggest reason he is so coveted by fans. What makes Treadwell even an option at 12 in my opinion is his fit. In my opinion there is no attribute more important for a draft pick to possess than to fit within the vision of the team and within the role they will play.
The Saints really missed having a player who could consistently pick up first downs last year, especially someone who could use their route running and frame to secure contested catches on third down. It was that very attribute that made Colston such a spectacular success in New Orleans, and it’s the same attribute that defines Laquon Treadwell. He isn’t the explosive and dynamic physical specimen of say a Julio Jones, but what Treadwell has in spades is toughness, tenacity, and technique. A tremendously talented route runner I totally understand why fans want him…..but I don’t.
It isn’t that I don’t think he can be a good, maybe even a great player in New Orleans, it’s that the need at wr isn’t nearly as great as the defensive holes. More than though, there are wide receivers in this draft who could be even better fits for the Saints. Not for the offense of yesteryear, but for the one of today, and most importantly of tomorrow. In my opinion the move that BEST serves the Saints is to get a defensive playmaker at 12, and take another WR later in the draft. Here are a few guys who could fit the team.
Tyler Boyd: WR, Pittsburgh
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 197 Lbs
40: 4.58
Tyler Boyd is actually an incredibly similar player to Laquon Treadwell in how well he fits for the Saints, as well as where he fits. They aren’t identical, Treadwell is definitely the stronger and more physical player, but Boyd might actually be an even better route runner than Treadwell. In addition to that he brings possibly the best pair of hands in this entire draft class (personally I think its Josh Doctson, but either way its very close). What makes Floyd so effective is his ability to create separation on his routes by having great technique and using his excellent body control to create great passing windows for the QBs. Boyd is a long-strider and his short area quickness as well as his long speed both leave something to be desired (much like Treadwell), but his footwork combined with his tremendous body control and great hands have allowed him to be a very effective college receiver.
What will allow him to be an even MORE effective pro if drafted by the Saints (probably in the 2nd round) is the fact that the best complement to his hands and route running is a QB who understands ball placement and has great accuracy. Boyd is very good after the catch if hit in stride, and also has the toughness and willingness to work the middle of the field. He won’t be AS good as Treadwell, but for the Saints system its a small enough difference that he could easily fill the role of possession receiver (which is his perfect fit btw).
The concern with Boyd is his light frame and inability to power through tackles in the open field. Boyd is ideally suited to be a possession receiver who is reliable for mid level plays, but doesn’t pick up huge chunks unless its a broken coverage or a perfect set-up by the QB. If the Saints hadn’t added Fleener to provide a big play element in the off-season I wouldn’t be interested in Boyd for the Saints offense, but since we have him he could be a perfect fit. Boyd’s hands and toughness give him the ability to extend drives, and that is EXACTLY what the Saints missed last year.
Micahel Thomas: WR, Ohio State
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 212 Lbs
40: 4.57 (4.4 pro day)
Thomas from a physical stand point is very similar to Treadwell, and is at the halfway point between Lawuon and a burner like Fuller. Thomas’s film shows him to be an explosive playmaker after the catch, a fearless receiver who will attack the ball anywhere, and most importantly a receiver capable of playing the outside. Treadwell is really best suited to playing the slot and the interior, but Thomas is a vertical threat (not a burner just a threat) who has a knack for getting the most out of plays. The biggest reason to pursue Thomas (if he drops to the second round) is that he brings an element to the Saints offense that they haven’t really had; a dynamic second option who both feeds off the top players (Cooks and likely Fleener) and also opens plays up for them at the same time. Thomas possesses the physical attributes to be a terror in Payton’s offense. Yet at the same time he’s never really fully blossomed and become a true number one receiver. The debate can be made that Ohio State’s offense last year, as well as their uncertainty at QB and poor line play had a lot to do with that, but it’s also true that Thomas likely isn’t a true number one.
That may be why he’s perfect for the Saints. Outside of 2011 the Saints offense never truly flourished the way it could with Jimmy Graham, and in large part that was because he was so good he demanded touches. Brees, and the Payton offense in general, functions best when spreading the ball around and disecting defenses by attacking them at all levels. Thomas’s skill-set actually fits that mold even better than Treadwell’s does, and the added element of being able to make plays down the field makes him the perfect complement to Cooks. The fact that he also has great size, strength, and hands could make him a deadly red zone threat for the Saints as well.
This is of course all predicated on the idea that the Saints pass on Treadwell at 12 in favor of getting a more impactful player on the defense. He is still probably the best WR fit wise for the Saints, but both of these players could be nearly as good in the 2nd or even 3rd rounds while still allowing them to boost the defense.
Other names to check out:
I generally only take a look at prospects within the first couple of rounds, but these players could also be good fits for the Saints at WR:
-Keyarris Garrett: TULSA
-Mike Thomas Southern Miss (my favorite in the 3rd or 4th btw, and honestly possibly the 2nd)
-Braxton Miller: Ohio State (4th or beyond)
-Kenny Lawler: Cal
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