Grading The New Orleans Saints' 2014 NFL Draft

By Richard Gatenby on Thursday, May 15th 2014
Grading The New Orleans Saints' 2014 NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints got back to winning ways in 2014 and could have beaten eventual Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs had they shown a better killer instinct.  A strong free-agency period set the Louisiana outfit up nicely for a good draft.

 

First Round, 20th pick: Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, Oregon State

Not only did the Saints need a wide receiver but they found a player who fits the exact mould they were looking for.  Marques Colston is the outside threat and Jimmy Graham acts as the big body over the middle which leaves Cooks to operate the slots and move the chains.  To trade up seven places and select the speedster the Saints relinquished a third-round pick but Cooks will be worth it. (Grade: A)

 

Second Round, 58th pick: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Cornerback, Nebraska

Jean-Baptiste is a physical and aggressive cornerback who imposes himself on wide receivers.  At 6’3” tall he is often much stronger than his opponents and overcomes any physical stiffness with good positioning and understanding of routes.  The Saints needed to add a little extra to their secondary along with free-agent signing Jairus Byrd and they have done just that. (Grade: B+)

 

Fourth Round, 126th pick: Khairi Fortt, Linebacker, California

Fortt is a coverage linebacker who roams the field on passing downs.  He is not in the mould of a usual Rob Ryan defender but a good piece that adds versatility to the group.  Telvin Smith was still on the board at the time and I’m surprised Sean Payton and his war room did not go in that direction. (Grade: C+)

 

Fifth Round, 167th pick: Vinnie Sunseri, Safety, Alabama

While the later rounds are when teams can justify taking fliers on players,  the selection of Sunseri is baffling.  Firstly,  he is coming off a torn ACL,  but,  more importantly,  how is he supposed to get on the field with Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro on the roster?  This is plain and simply a wasted pick. (Grade: D)

 

Fifth Round, 169th pick: Ronald Powell, Outside Linebacker, Florida

A situational pass rusher is landed in the fifth round by the Saints,  a position I thought they may have addressed earlier in the draft.  Nevertheless,  Powell is a very good player who had a college career derailed by injuries.  If he can stay healthy the former Gator will be a steal but until he gets on the pitch he is a reach. (Grade: B-)

 

Sixth Round, 202nd pick: Tavon Rooks, Offensive Tackle, Kansas State

Some depth to the offensive line was needed but selecting Rooks in the sixth round is a baffling selection.  The Kansas State product displays little upside which means his slim chances of ever seeing the field are even shorted. (Grade: D)

 

Overall Grade: C

The Saints got off to a cracking start in the 2014 NFL Draft but faded somewhat thereafter.  Taking a gamble on Fowler could pay dividends down the line but their other three selections designed to add depth are confusing.  Three starting contributors from a class is considered strong but that will be the absolute best case scenario in this case and will likely never materialize.

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