The Saints were left fighting in the 2012 draft with a short stick. The first round pick was traded away to New England for Mark Ingram in 2011. The league then forfeited New Orleans’ selection in the second round for the “Bounty-Gate” scandal. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was the first pick at 89 overall in the third round. The defensive line was a priority in the draft with Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin jettisoned because of their lack of production. Unrestricted free agent Broderick Bunkley signed a five year $25 million dollar contract with $9 million guaranteed. Bunkley’s value is his ability to one-gap as a shade 4-3 nose tackle. He is solid stopping the run but he had only six sacks in his six years in the league. Left guard Carl Nicks signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs then the Saints immediately pounced on the Ravens’ Ben Grubbs to fill a priority position in the front wall that protects Drew Brees. Nicks and right guard Jahri Evans help keep the pocket clean so Brees can step up and step into his downfield throws. Grubbs was the best available option once Nicks decided on Tampa Bay’s offer. Grubbs signed a five year $36 million dollar contract that included a $10 million dollar signing bonus and $16 million guaranteed money. Robert Meachem signed with San Diego so General Manager Mickey Loomis countered by drafting Wisconsin receiver Nick Toon. The big receiver lacks Meachem’s vertical speed, but has the size that the Saints covet in their feature and complementary receivers. Corner Tracy Porter’s loss in free agency to the Broncos will give Jabari Greer, Elbert Mack, and fifth round draft choice Corey White an opportunity to start. White has corner skills and is physical at playing off blockers. Akiem Hicks confirmed suspicions about his speed and range over five mini-camp sessions. He is a big man with long arms and big hands for the position. Strong enough to push the pocket, he has explosive first step quickness. Hicks has the size to stay in and stack the block and has a good upside based on measurables. He will need pro physical development and consistent footwork to get leverage. Nick Toon left a positive impression on the Saints’ coaching staff after the rookie mini-camp in May. He demonstrated good speed and hands during drills. Talent is not a problem, but overcoming a history of injuries will be the only thing holding him back. Corey White is an outstanding athlete who may get a look as a cover-two corner, but is projected to play strong safety. He should make significant contributions on special teams while he’s learning Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive package. An ascending player, he has the ability to be a strong run support player and tackler. Andrew Tiller was coached by former Saints’ offensive line coach, now Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone. A big wide-bodied mauler, he looks to be a developmental player on the practice squad. Marcel Jones is a long-torso position blocker who uses his hands well. He has the size, arm length, and mobility to develop as a right tackle. He plays square as a pass protector and plays with balance. Jones is rarely on the ground. It’s not always pretty, but he’s effective – he can sit down in pass protection, slide his feet, redirect, and hustle downfield to make a block. He definitely has the desired measurables but needs to develop a higher position skill level. .
Categories
- 2007 NFL Draft
- 2008 NFL Draft
- 2009 NFL Draft
- 2010 NFL Draft
- 2011 All-Rookie Team
- 2011 NFL Draft
- 2011 NFL Draft Team Reviews
- 2011 NFL Free Agents
- 2011 NFL Season
- 2011 NFL Supplemental Draft
- 2011 NFL Undrafted Free Agents
- 2012 7- Round Mock Drafts
- 2012 All-Rookie Team
- 2012 College Game All-Star Notes
- 2012 Draft Position Recap
- 2012 Free Agents
- 2012 NFL Draft
- 2012 NFL Draft Team Reviews
- 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft
- 2012 Underclassmen Draft Selections
- 2012 Underclassmen for Draft
- 2012 Undrafted Free Agents
- 2013 7-Round Mock Drafts
- 2013 All-Rookie Team
- 2013 All-Star Games
- 2013 NFL Combine
- 2013 NFL Draft
- 2013 NFL Draft Team Reviews
- 2013 Underclassmen Draft
- 2014 7-Round Mock Drafts
- 2014 East West Shrine Game
- 2014 NFL Combine
- 2014 NFL Draft
- 2014 Senior Bowl
- 2014 Underclassmen Draft
- 2015 East West Shrine Game
- 2015 NFL Draft
- 2015 Senior Bowl
- 2015 Underclassmen Draft
- 2016 NFL Combine
- 2016 NFL Draft
- 2017 NFL Combine
- 2017 NFL Draft
- 2018 NFL Draft
- Adam Fournier Blog Posts
- AFC East
- AFC North
- AFC South
- AFC West
- All-NFL Team
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Dave Syvertsen Blog Posts
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
- DRAFT REWIND
- East-West Shrine Game
- Evaluation Key
- Green Bay Packers
- Guest Blogs
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- M.G. Ross Blog Posts
- Matt Waldman Blog
- Miami Dolphins
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- NFC East
- NFC North
- NFC South
- NFC West
- NFL Combine Quarterback Velocity
- NFL Scouting Combine 2012
- NFL Super Regional Combine
- Nolan Kuzmick Blog Posts
- Oakland Raiders
- Ourlads' Scouts Hall of Fame
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Preseason Football
- San Diego Chargers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Senior Bowl
- St. Louis Rams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- Uncategorized
- Underclassmen 1989-2012
- Underclassmen Drafted
- Washington Redskins