Trading away a first-round pick in 2019 could come back to haunt the Saints.
Lamar Jackson (photo, mypalmbeachpost.com)
With four quarterbacks taken within the first ten picks, fans knew that this NFL Draft was going to be special. But “special” isn’t the word to describe what happened next. Surprise fits better.
Speculation rose when the Dolphins selected Minkah Fitzpatrick with the 11th pick. Why? It meant that former Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson, was still available.
And, then, the New Orleans Saints got into position, traded up–to #14–by giving the Packers three picks–the 27th pick and its 4th-round pick this year, and a 1st-round pick in 2019.
The strategy seemed clear, including to NFL experts like Mike Mayock: the Saints were preparing to select Jackson. It made sense, too. Jackson would develop under 39-year-old Drew Brees and, then, he’d become the face of New Orleans after Brees retires.
But that’s not what happened. Instead of picking Lamar Jackson, the Saints selected DE Marcus Davenport.
Mayock was stunned. “I was way off. I don’t mean to diminish Marcus Davenport at all.”
Was it worth it for the Saints to trade that much draft capital to get Davenport?
Davenport, out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, measures 6’6” and 264 pounds. He has the ability to rush the QB (first on UTSA with 8.5 sacks). His massive size also allows him to have an easier time passing through opposing tackles compared to many other defensive ends. That means he’ll likely be double-teamed in the NFL.
Courtesy: Canal Street Chronicles
And Davenport fits into a great situation. The Saints had an incredible run last year, headlined by the running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. On defense, rookie Marshon Lattimore helped convert the Saint’s stop-troops into an elite unit.
Last year was the first time since the Super Bowl year of 2009 when the Saints could dominate on both sides of the ball. Davenport will only add fuel to the Saints’ engine. The combo of Davenport and standout DE Cameron Jordan will be a force to be reckoned with–as soon as Week 1 of the 2018 season.
But there’s still speculation because Jackson wasn’t picked. As head coach Sean Payton said leading up to the draft: “With Lamar [Jackson], you feel it in the room and you can tell he can lead. He’s a special guy.”
But because the Saints didn’t pick him, there’s a question mark regarding who will be Brees’ successor.
What’s my take? I give New Orleans a grade of C+. Why? Even if Davenport offers the Saints significant help in the near future, I think losing the 2019 first-round pick will hurt the team in the long run.
