The New Orleans Saints have made a comfortable home atop the NFC South over the past half-decade or so, but in 2012 that all came to an end. Head Coach Sean Payton, and General Manager Mickey Loomis were suspended for the entire season, and 8-games respectively, ultimately leading to the demise of the Saints in 2012. The Saints finished 7-9, and out of the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Sean Payton has since returned as Head Coach, and looked to use the 2013 NFL Draft as a breeding ground to continue his dominance in the NFC South. eDraft gives you an exclusive look on how Payton and the Saints fared this past April.

First Round, 15th Overall: Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas

Vaccaro gives the Saints a playmaker in centerfield that can be the quarterback of the defense. Vaccaro can be for the Saints what Troy Polamalu is (or was; based on his decline) for the Steelers. I was expecting to see the Saints go for a pass rusher or a nose tackle, but you can’t pass on a talent like Vaccaro here, and they didn’t. Grade: A+

Third Round, 75th Overall: Terron Armstead, Offensive Tackle, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Armstead, who some would consider a first-round talent, fell to New Orleans in the third round. Thanks to Commissioner Roger Goodell and his iron fist, the Saints had to wait 60 selections to pick again, and they nailed it with Armstead. Armstead is a player who can either line up at tackle or guard, and contribute immediately. Great value for Saints in the third round. Grade: A

Third Round, 82nd Overall: Jonathan Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Jenkins is the perfect selection for what the Saints are trying to do with their interior defensive line during their major overhaul from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 front. Jenkins is a big-bodied defensive tackle, weighing in at 358 lbs., who has a great motor for someone his size, and is a good run-stopping interior lineman. Jenkins can, and most likely will start right away in New Orleans, and could make a big impact on a defense that is desperate for help. Grade: B

Fourth Round, 144th Overall: Kenny Stills, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

I’m not too sold on what Stills can provide to the Saints high-octane passing offense other than being a pure slot receiver. Isn’t he just another version of Lance Moore? If so, that doesn’t really do much for me, especially when the skill players around quarterback Drew Brees are aging, and he just lost his best running back, and left tackle in a matter of three weeks. Grade: D

Sixth Round, 183rd Overall: Rufus Johnson, Defensive End, Tarleton State -- N/A Grade: N/A

Overall Grade: B

The Saints hit three home runs in the beginning of the draft with Vacarro, Armstead, and Jenkins. However, trading your best running back when Mark Ingram has shown you nothing that makes you believe he is a starting-caliber running back in the NFL, and then following up that Chris Ivory trade with the selections they made after, really concern me. The Saints got the help they needed on defense. Well, at least they got a head start on getting themselves some help. There’s still a few big holes on this team that went untouched in the draft.