The NFL combine starts tomorrow and we’ll start to get a good look at some of these prospects. There’s undoubtedly some of you that will sit through the boring and mind numbing exercise of watching each shuttle run, lift, and evaluation. Does any of that stuff really matter? Sure, a little bit. I think the Saints, in particular, will be looking closely at a few things. I think the interviews go a long way, but unfortunately we’re not privy to any of those. What the combine doesn’t show is whether these guys are true football players on the field, or not. Some guys look great in shorts and can’t get it done on the field. Others measure poorly and tear it up when it matters. So attributing too much to these measurables is a mistake. This is a piece of the puzzle, one to take seriously, but it’s just one part of the whole. With that said, here’s what I’m looking for:
Who do the Saints interview?
Anytime you hear information leak that the Saints met with a player, make a mental note. It doesn’t mean they’ll draft the guy, but they’re clearly interested. Last year not only did the Saints meet with Brandin Cooks, Sean Payton was in a much more divulging space than usual. I remember Payton admitting in an interview with the media that they met with a high character receiver that they really liked. Paraphrasing here, they imagined what he would look like in a Saints uniform and how well he’d fit in the locker room merely from the interview. At the time I suspected that person was Cooks, and while that was never confirmed, the fact that they ended up trading up to draft him is a pretty clear indication. I doubt Payton will give a nugget that juicy to the media this year, but based on the guys they interview you’ll know what position and possibly which prospects they are looking for.
How do the need position classes look?
I view this corner class as very weak, which is too bad because the Saints need help there desperately. That said, I think there are some good tackles in this draft and the Saints badly need depth there. There’s also good depth in this draft on the pass rusher front. There’s some good linebacker prospects too. So those four groups in particular I’m paying closer attention to to see who’s stock might be rising or falling.
How do the prospects at the 13th pick look?
I’m paying close attention to the targets on my “Saints Nation draft board”. Specifically Trae Waynes, Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler and Danny Shelton. For me right now I think those are the four players most likely to end up being the 13th pick for the Saints.
What are you looking for?
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