2014 NFL Draft Grades: New Orleans Saints
By Josh Hill
The NFL Draft has come and gone and it’s now time to reflect on how each team did despite the fact that we won’t really know until much further into the future. Still, we can get a fell of how players might do in their immediate careers based off of what they did in college and how well they fit into the systems they were drafted into.
The New Orleans Saints addressed some pretty specific needs on the defensive side of the ball but managed to also use their first pick — one they traded up to get — on an offensive weapons that Dre Brees as to be happy he now has at his disposal.
Draft Picks
| Pick | Player |
|---|---|
| 1.20 | Brandin Cooks, WR , Oregon State |
| 2.26 | Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB , Nebraska |
| 4.26 | Khairi Fortt, LB , California |
| 5.27 | Vinnie Sunseri, DB , Alabama |
| 5.29 | Ronald Powell, LB , Florida |
| 6.26 | Tavon Rooks, OL , Kansas State |
Best Pick: Stanley Jean-Baptiste/CB/Nebraska
While Brandin Cooks is an excellent pick, it’s a given that he’s going to thrive in the Drew Brees offense that the Saints have. What’s more interesting is that Rob Ryan went out and grabbed a beefy cornerback in Stanley Jean-Baptiste who not only sound alike he belongs in New Orleans but is a guy who can be developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the conference.
Worst Pick: Tayon Rooks/OL/Kansas State
The sixth round was just too late to address the offensive line and it needed to be addressed. Drew Brees needs protection and while the Saints may be able to afford coaching up a developmental lineman, they can never take a chance with the protection and health of Drew Brees.
2014 Draft Grade: B+