re: Saints Talk Official Draft Big Board

Posted by goatmilker

Castle Anthrax

Member since Feb 2009

75190 posts

Posted on 4/1/14 at 2:02 pm to blueslover

Posted by GOON

Fantasy Land

Member since Mar 2008

7399 posts

Posted on 4/1/14 at 2:19 pm to Lester Earl

quote:
SIZE DOESNT MATTER!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by St Augustine

The Pauper of the Surf

Member since Mar 2006

71628 posts

Posted on 4/1/14 at 6:32 pm to GOON

I love cooks and Matthews. I wouldn't be upset at all if we double dipped to take both of them. I know it would never happen but Brees would pretty much have his top 4 guys for the rest of career if we took them to add to jimmy and Stills. Take a center in the 3rd and our offense is essentially retooled for the future.

Posted by Pendulum

Member since Jan 2009

7973 posts

Posted on 4/1/14 at 6:39 pm to GOON

quote:
Fuller please.

Posted by blueslover

deeper than deep south

Member since Sep 2007

22792 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 9:14 am to Pendulum

just curious, how many raise their hand to Ebron being a must pick on value?

Let's say the scenario is that the top of your board has-
Ebron
Verrett
Shazier
Ford
Jordan Matthews
Is Ebron a must-pick in that scenario?
Tough call for me. Against that pool I go yes. Let the new Payton 2 TE schemes begin.

2 ...

Posted by GOON

Fantasy Land

Member since Mar 2008

7399 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 9:23 am to blueslover

quote:
Ebron
Verrett
Shazier
Ford
Jordan Matthews

If you're saying these are my best remaining options at 27, then yes, I would take Ebron.

Ebron is very intriguing. We already have a good TE corps in Graham, Watson, and Hill, so it's definitely not a need. But Ebron has been compared to Vernon Davis. If we had him on the field with Graham, the mismatches would be unreal.

Say we picked up Ebron in the 1st and then either Jordan Matthews or Donte Moncrief in the 2nd. This would give us 2 new weapons on offense. Basically the same thing St. Aug said above, only substitute Cooks for Ebron.

So for a passing play we could have the following as our 5 eligible receivers: Graham, Ebron, Colston, Moncrief, Stills

This post was edited on 4/3/14 at 9:25 am

Posted by mm2316

New Orleans Pelicans Fan

Member since Aug 2010

6942 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 9:30 am to blueslover

quote:

Let's say the scenario is that the top of your board has-

That would be a tough call, but I would be fine with either Ebron or Shaizer, depending on who the team likes more.

Posted by blueslover

deeper than deep south

Member since Sep 2007

22792 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 9:32 am to GOON

Another aspect is what if Graham is still on the tag at the time of the draft? Would it effect the negotiating approach? Let them both play together a year and see what ya got maybe? If Graham tagged for the season then you would have different leverage with another TE replacement in house. Could possibly make a trade for Graham in 2015 much more of a viable option.

Posted by mm2316

New Orleans Pelicans Fan

Member since Aug 2010

6942 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 9:41 am to blueslover

I honestly have never watched any of UNC's game over the last couple of years, but here is a quote about Ebron from an AFC Exec

quote:
The executive was asked if Ebron could compare to last year’s top tight end, Tyler Eifert, and his response was a resounding “no.”

“Hell no,” the personnel man said. “He’s OK. He’s completely overrated, and he’s a pain in the [butt]. And don’t ask him to block anybody, because he’s not going to do it.”

LINK
I'd hope if we invested a high draft pick in another TE, we could at least count on him to block.

Posted by GOON

Fantasy Land

Member since Mar 2008

7399 posts

Posted on 4/3/14 at 10:29 am to mm2316

quote:
The executive was asked if Ebron could compare to last year’s top tight end, Tyler Eifert, and his response was a resounding “no.”

“Hell no,” the personnel man said. “He’s OK. He’s completely overrated, and he’s a pain in the [butt]. And don’t ask him to block anybody, because he’s not going to do it.”

I really hate unnamed sources. There might be an agenda there.

CBS

STRENGTHS: Smooth, gliding athlete with easy acceleration to speed past defenders in coverage and finish. Agile feet and dangerous after the catch to create with quick cuts to make defenders miss.

Quick release off the LOS with route fluidity and natural flexibility. Smooth adjustments to pluck the ball with his hands away from his body - large catching radius. Physical when he wants as a blocker with strong initial power at the point of attack. Very good toughness and plays unintimidated and confident. Good football awareness and plays alert.

Versatile experience lining up in-line, but mostly in the slot - also plays on special teams coverage. Still far from his ceiling.

WEAKNESSES: Still developing his body with room to add bulk and get stronger. Still learning how to use his size to his advantage. Needs to show more authority in his routes and is too easily redirected - needs to be more physical in this area to match up in tight spaces.

Needs to be more aggressive and strong at the catch point, especially in contested situations. Has his share of focus drops and needs to be more consistent finishing catches. Good length, but won't overwhelm defenders in the run game. Blocking technique needs developing - somewhat untested as an in-line blocker. Room to refine and sharpen his routes. Right shoulder injury in 2013.

COMPARES TO: Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers - Freaky athletic specimens, both Ebron and Davis move like wide receivers, but have the size and length of tight ends to create mismatches in coverage.

Player Overview
The highly athletic Ebron caught 28 passes for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in high school, and played wide receiver for the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team.

He appeared in 10 games as a true freshman at North Carolina, catching 10 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. However, Ebron did not play in the Independence Bowl game due to academic reasons.

Ebron caught 40 passes for 625 yards and four touchdowns in a breakout 2012 season, setting school records for a tight end in both categories. He earned second-team All-ACC honors and caught at least two passes in all 11 games.

He ratcheted up the production another level in 2013, establishing school records for single-season receptions (62), single-season receiving yards (973), career receptions (112) and career receiving yards (1,805) at the position

"I'm proud of what he's accomplished and how he's represented North Carolina," Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora said upon Ebron announcing on Nov. 25 that he was leaving for the 2014 NFL Draft despite having a year of eligibility remaining. "We're sad to see him go but excited for his future."

With multiple tight end formations becoming all of the rage in today's NFL, oversized, athletic pass-catchers have never been more valued. Ebron needs polish but he boasts the tools to warrant strong first round consideration.

Posted by blueslover

deeper than deep south

Member since Sep 2007

22792 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 2:28 am to GOON

more on Ebron-

Strengths:
Very fast
Extremely rare speed and athleticism
Supreme receiving tight end
Mismatch nightmare
Extremely athletic
Generally sure-handed
Quick release off the line
Superb body control
Great catch radius
Leaping ability
Good route-running
Improved blocker
Phenomenal middle-seam tight end
Too fast for linebackers
Too big for safeties
Red-zone weapon
Three-down tight end
Very versatile
Athletic enough to play H-back
Upside

Weaknesses:
Could stand to improve his run blocking
A little light in weight
Will drop a pass now and then

Dangerous pass-receiving tight ends have become a rage in the NFL, and Ebron is the top tight end prospect to enter the pros since Vernon Davis in 2006. Ebron is extremely fast for a tight end. With his size, athleticism and speed, he looks like a matchup nightmare for an NFL offense.

Starting as a sophomore, Ebron made his presence felt. He was the Tar Heels' second leading receiver in 2012, making 40 catches for 625 yards and four touchdowns. Ebron was a dangerous receiver for Bryn Renner. That season North Carolina was very thin at defensive end, so Ebron played some defensive end along with being a tight end. All he pretty much did was try speed rushes to get disruption upfield, but it was impressive that he was able to apply some pass pressures.

Despite inconsistent quarterback play in 2013, Ebron was phenomenal. He produced long touchdowns and killed teams down the middle of the field with his speed and athleticism. Ebron hauled in 62 passes for 973 yards and three touchdowns. His blocking was improved, and his production could have been even bigger if Renner had stayed healthy and played better before leaving the lineup.

Ebron is very fast with mismatch speed to get separation and run away from defenders. He is too big for safeties to cover and has the speed to run by some defensive backs. When the secondary can stay with him, he has great leaping ability and body control to make catches over defenders. Linebackers have little chance of covering Ebron in man coverage; only elite NFL linebackers with great speed could cover Ebron. He should be a tremendous middle-seam tight end who produces big plays for his offense.

There aren't many weaknesses to Ebron's game. He could stand to add some muscle and improve his blocking, but he has a good starting point. Ebron also could get a little more consistent with his hands.

Ebron is a versatile athlete who can line up in a variety of places. As a pro, he could be used as a typical tight end, an H-back or even a slot receiver. Ebron looks like a potential high-impact receiving tight end in the NFL. As a prospect, Ebron is a top-10 athlete and talent who should go in the first 20 picks of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Player Comparison: Vernon Davis. The most similar player to Ebron's playing style is Davis. Ebron has stated in interviews that Davis is the player who he has molded his game off of. Both of them have rare speed and athleticism for the position. They are dangerous receivers who can use their respective individual quickness to make big plays downfield. Ebron will have to improve his blocking to be on Davis' level, but Ebron should be able to do that. Davis was a high first-round pick, and Ebron could also go in the top 10.
LINK

the more I look the more he looks like he would be a must-pick. That is if the Saints have him pegged Top 15. If he's 15-20 then they could pass with a ranked need player.

Posted by FootballNostradamus

Member since Nov 2009

20509 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 2:38 am to ATL Saints Fan

quote:
Mosley looks the part of a good linebacker but Schazier has a much higher ceiling.

Freak athlete with great closing speed. His numbers at the combine were incredible.

He is the same size Navorro Bowman was when he entered the draft.

I don't understand why everyone is so down on this guy.

Lulz, I borderline guarantee Shazier is a bust. The guy is beyond overrated. He catches more blocks than anyone I've ever seen and makes half his tackle 7 yards down the field.

Watch the Orange Bowl where Clemson legit isolated him and made him look stupid. You don't want people isolating and attacking your 1st round pick. Hell he got ran over by Sammy Watkins multiple times. I know Sammy is the truth, but we're talking a WR vs a damn LB.

If you like Shazier you've never watched film on him. You've seen the tackles and you've seen the measurements. Watch the film and you see the truth.

Posted by FootballNostradamus

Member since Nov 2009

20509 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 2:39 am to blueslover

quote:
Most prolly agree Mosley would likely be a must-pick just on player rating value. He isn't a perfect scheme fit but is such a solid player ya know Ryan would scheme him in.

Ebron came in 5th but I think he could possibly be a must pick player if he was around. It's works out as a question of do we want this player rated at X over a player at a position of more need but not ranked quite as high? If the difference is enough you take the BPA. The idea of an Graham/Ebron attack could be more dynamic than Gronk/Hernandez. Ya know Payton would go nuts with these play designs.

Almost impossible to occur, but can you imagine if Mosley, Ebron and Cooks were all available.

ST would explode.

Posted by albanyla

Florida

Member since Apr 2012

250 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 5:26 am to blueslover

I am very curious to see what they do about Rafael Bush. I have been wondering lately if Ryan likes the three safety lineup. If they let Bush go, then I think that would mean they have no plans to move to that. If they keep him it is still a possibility. The three safety set would change the draft strategy I expect.

btw...I think the 3 safety set should be named the Trinity Defense

Posted by blueslover

deeper than deep south

Member since Sep 2007

22792 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 12:51 pm to albanyla

it will be interesting to see how Ryan shakes them out. The 3 safeties last year might have been more for injuries and playing to the strength of personnel. More traditional 3-4 likely fo sho

Posted by bonethug0108

Avondale

Member since Mar 2013

12690 posts

Posted on 4/4/14 at 1:04 pm to blueslover

I would say more 4-3 over 3-4 being that our line is the strength and the LBs are still meh at best overall. And that's of course counting Galette as a down linemen like he was last year.

I could see more 60/40 instead of 75/25 like last year, still favoring nickel though, with the return of Butler and Haralson and Humber having been more integrated last year at the end.