At 4-6 the Saints are still somehow firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt thanks to being in a disaster of a division. In fact, they’re tied for first place. But we’re starting to see the lack of depth and big contracts of the better players take its toll on the team. That, and some recent misses in the draft are coming back to haunt them. When you’re up against the cap and you don’t have a lot of money to play around with, it necessitates your veterans maintaining their level and you hitting on your draft choices. Unfortunately the Saints haven’t mastered the draft process in recent years and it may come back to haunt them. Here are the five biggest mistakes in recent times:
5. Martez Wilson, DE/LB, Illinois – 72nd pick overall in 2011 (3rd round)
Third round picks are never a sure thing in the NFL but the expectations for Wilson were sky high when he was first drafted due to his speed and pass rushing potential. Unfortunately Wilson carried the dreaded “tweener” designation and the Saints were never able to find a good place for him between defensive end and linebacker, despite different schemes during his time in New Orleans. Wilson was also a disaster on special teams as a frequent offender of back breaking penalties. Wilson totaled only 5 career sacks and is currently out of the league. I’m sure the Saints would have preferred the next guy drafted, running back Stevan Ridley. Sadly the two guys picked before Wilson were Justin Houston and DeMarco Murray – but who knows if the Saints would have taken either over Wilson if they had fallen to 72. The Saints could have also taken Richard Sherman and most fans at the time were clamoring for Mason Foster to be taken with this pick. Foster would have been a much better pick.
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State – 14th pick overall in 2009
Jenkins is having a decent season with the Philadelphia Eagles this year but he never lived up to his potential in New Orleans. After playing as a reserve corner his rookie year Jenkins was moved to safety to become the heir apparent to ballhawk Darren Sharper. Jenkins struggled mightily during his time in New Orleans with missed tackles, poor play recognition, and low turnover production. His three interceptions this season are already a single season career best. The next player taken was Pro Bowler Brian Cushing and the next corner taken Vontae Davis would have been a better cover guy. If the Saints really wanted a ballhawk safety they could have also drafted Jairus Byrd and enjoyed his production before the massive contract and major knee injury.
3. Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State – 32nd pick overall in 2010
He’s still on the roster but he’s already been demoted this season from a starter to a nickel corner for very poor play. He spent 2013 on IR and has largely been a disaster with the Saints. It’s hard to picture him turning his career around at this point and he’s currently viewed as a bust. Rodger Saffold, the next player taken, would have been a nice infusion of youth and talent on their now aging offensive line. Zane Beadles is another tackle that would have been an upgrade. If the Saints really wanted a corner, Alterraun Verner was the way to go.
2. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC – 7th pick overall in 2008
Ellis fell off of a cliff after starting off with a few promising seasons. After posting 12 sacks in his first three seasons (impressive for an interior lineman) and appearing poised to become a star in the league, Ellis regressed like few players ever seen. After two horrific final seasons in New Orleans he went to the Bears where he abruptly retired before ever playing a game. He went from a 1st round pick to a blossoming NFL player to retired all in a 5 year span. He was a productive starter for the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl winning team, so the Saints probably don’t have many regrets, but they did trade their two first round picks that year to move up and get Ellis. Still, the Saints could have done much better with a pick that high, particularly when you consider how he performed his last two years with the team. Jerod Mayo and Ryan Clady were players picked shortly after as well as a host of other perennial Pro Bowlers throughout that round.
1. Charles Brown, T, USC – 64th pick overall in 2010 (2nd round)
Brown was drafted with the vision of one day making him the starting left tackle. After years of backing up Jermon Bushrod and being unable to unseat Zach Strief at right tackle, Brown finally got his chance in 2013. The mix of constant penalties, mistakes and suspect pass blocking eventually led way to his benching in favor of rookie Terron Armstead. The Saints had no interest in his return and Brown is now on the Giants as a backup with a minimum salary. He recently played in a game due to injury, and needless to say, he was as poor as ever. In five seasons in the league Brown has played in 40 games, starting 22, and game tape he’s put together has likely ensured his career will be ending very soon. The next tackle selected in that draft was Jared Veldheer, who just got a 5 year $35 million contract this offseason. He’s now the starting left tackle on the 9-1 Arizona Cardinals. Oops.
Check out our other installments:
Five draft picks why the Jets won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Bucs won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Vikings won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Rams won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Raiders won’t make the playoffs
