Chris Ransom grades the New Orleans Saints 2015 NFL Draft. Does New Orleans have a bright future after drafting two first round picks in the 2015 NFL Draft?
13. Andrus Peat, RT, Stanford B Grade
Two offensive tackles were drafted ahead of Peat. Brandon Scherff who went fifth overall is a sure thing regardless of whether he plays left tackle, right tackle, or left guard. Scherff looks like a Pro Bowl offensive lineman regardless of which one of those positions he plays.
Ereck Flowers is a backup right tackle right now, but he also has the long term potential to develop into a Pro Bowl left tackle if you play him and are patient with him. He doesn't learn plays at a fast rate. He learns blocking schemes at an average rate which makes Flowers a liability to an extent. Another thing to dislike about Flowers is that he's a terrible pass blocker despite displaying elite run blocking at times. It's not just Flowers pass blocking. Flowers has poor pass blocking strength and pass blocking footwork which tells you that he will only thrive in run blocking situations. Flowers can be a Pro Bowl left tackle if he corrects those issues as a pass blocker, but that's unlikely at this point.
Stanford's left tackle would be an average left tackle, but a great right tackle. Peat is more of a sure thing than Flowers even if he happens to have less upside while moving to the right tackle position as a permanent role in the NFL.
Having Terron Armstead at left tackle and Andrus Peat at right tackle will make Drew Brees job so much easier. Both of these offensive tackles can open up the running game for Mark Ingram as well.
31. Stephone Anthony, 3-4 MLB, Clemson B- Grade
New Orleans passed on Eric Kendricks for Stephone Anthony. Other guys like Jaelen Strong, Randy Gregory, and Maxx Williams were on the board as well. Anthony did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback in 2014 with 10.5 quarterback hurries and he continued to play well at the 2015 Senior Bowl.
I just cannot justify giving the Saints an A grade in the first round for passing on all of those players. Anthony probably will be a solid starter, and he has better size than Kendricks. That's why the Saints got a B- grade here.
Havenstein had excellent tape at Wisconsin which is why he was a second round prospect heading into the 2015 NFL Senior Bowl. Following his week in Mobile some teams still had him graded out as a second round pick while others had him listed as a fifth round pick. Things took a turn for the worse after his horrendous NFL Combine with his 5.46 official 40 time and 16 reps on the bench press after weighing 6-7 332 lbs. Havenstein's combine was so bad it made you about his performance at Wisconsin's Pro Day.
I originally gave this an F grade because I believed it was a huge reach especially with T.J. Clemmings still available. Havenstein is currently listed as the starting right tackle on the depth chart which is why this pick got bumped up to a D grade.
44. Hau'oli Kikaha 3-4 ROLB, Washington A+ Grade
New Orleans needed a 3-4 right outside linebacker for so long and they finally got one. Kakaha led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2014. This is an awesome pick.
75. Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State A Grade
I thought the Saints would do something stupid and take Bryce Petty. 12 of the 16 NFL Teams that sent us their draft boards had Grayson being the third quarterback taken believing he was the best quarterback after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Grayson did well at Colorado State, and now he's in a perfect situation where he gets to learn behind Brees only to become his successor.
78. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State A+ Grade
New Orleans continues to make smart picks. P.J. Williams is a first round talent. Now he's playing a nickel cornerback role with Keenan Lewis and Brandon Browner. Another Florida State Seminole played that exact same role as a nickel cornerback with the Saints. His name was Patrick Robinson. Williams is twice the corner Robinson is when lined up against an opposing wide receiver.
148. Davis Tull, 3-4 LOLB, Tennessee Chattanooga A+ Grade
Davis Tull has the versatility to be a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker on either side. I like the move to add him for depth behind Junior Gallette because his value was too good to pass on in the fifth round.
Sasser is the #7 receiver on the depth chart behind Brian Quick, Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin, Damian Williams, Chris Givens, and Stedman Bailey. I'm not sure Sasser can make the 53 man roster because I really believe all 6 of those receivers will be on the Rams final roster come September. That's the only reason I gave the Rams a D grade at this point.
155. Tyeler Davison, 3-4 LE, Fresno State A Grade
New Orleans needs a 3-4 left end this is a good pick. Tyeler Davison will start across from Cameron Jordan who once played 3-4 left end before moving over to 3-4 right end.
167. Damian Swann, CB, Georgia B Grade
Damian Swann is a good dime cornerback. If the Saints drafted him as a nickel corner this would be a C grade. If you draft this guy as a #2 corner in the boundary this is a D grade. You get an F if you believe Swann is a #1 cornerback. The Saints got a good dime cornerback for depth which is why they got a B grade.
230. Marcus Murphy, RB, Missouri D Grade
Marcus Murphy wasn't even the best player available. New Orleans could have taken a tight end like Jean Sifrin, Wes Saxton, E.J. Gibbs, or Brian Parker and found a starting tight end in the seventh round. Instead the Saints reach for a running back with an undrafted grade.
New Orleans Saints Team Grade: A- Grade
Drew Brees won't have a left guard with Ben Grubbs gone. Adding Andrus Peat to compliment Terron Armstead as a right tackle gives Drew Brees even better pass protection at offensive tackle. Despite the addition of Max Unger at center, I think the Saints will regress and won't be as dominant as a run blocking unit. Losing Jimmy Graham at tight end could also take its toll.
This defense improved greatly with the additions of Anthony, Kikaha, and Williams. Those 3 will bolster this defense for years to come.
The New Orleans Saints addressed most of their needs. With the players they added they could win the NFC South and possibly get home field. Still, the Saints are a tight end and a left guard away from going to a Super Bowl in San Francisco. Something will keep the Saints from going to San Francisco even if they end up with home field.
Drew Brees has a window of opportunity to possibly win a second Super Bowl with the additions the Saints made on defense in this years NFL Draft. Whether Brees does get that ring will come down to how he does with a weaker group of playmakers now that the Saints no longer have Kenny Stills or Graham at tight end.
New Orleans Saints 2014 NFL Draft Grades
Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/22/2014
Chris Ransom breaks down the Saints 2014 NFL Draft grades.
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Chris Ransom on 5/24/2015
New Orleans Saints 2015 NFL Draft Grades
B Grade
B- Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
A+ Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
B Grade
D Grade
