What did NFL experts think of the Saints draft? - NOLA.com

By Brody Miller | Posted May 04, 2018 at 04:00 PM | Updated May 04, 2018 at 04:11 PM

Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com |The Times-Picayune

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

Grade: C+

Kiper addressed the fact the Saints could afford a risk or two after the top-to-bottom successful 2017 Draft for the Saints, but he admits he has to grade these drafts in a vacuum. In that vacuum, Kiper sees this draft as a large question mark. 

He questioned giving up such a large sum for Marcus Davenport, but he called the pick of Tre'Quan Smith at 91 "decent value." Rick Leonard was an "interesting bet" in Kiper's eyes, and he said Kamrin Moore has a chance to stick in this secondary. 

"If Drew Brees gets another Lombardi, it'll all be worth it," Kiper said. "If not, they gave up a lot."

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco

Grade: C+

Prisco considers Davenport to be a player with a double-digit sack potential but needs some "seasoning." He thinks Smith can give the Saints more speed on offense. Overall, though, Prisco said it's hard to knock the Saints after last year's success, but Davenport better be a star. 

Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab

Grade: D-

Schwab concedes Davenport might be a star, but he can't get over how much the Saints gave up for him. He said there were better receivers in the class than Smith but added Smith is landing in a fantastic offense for him. He called the Leonard selection a developmental pick. Much like the others before him, Schwab thinks Davenport needs to make multiple Pro Bowls to make this pick worth it. 

Steven Senne

Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit

Grade: B+

Benoit credits the Saints for not drafting to replace an aging quarterback. He likes that they drafted players who can immediately help their Super Bowl chances. If Davenport pans out, Benoit writes, the long-awaited defensive surge in New Orleans that arrived in 2017 could stick around for years. 

Benoit thinks the rest of the draft provides depth, such as the Tre'Quan Smith pick possibly allowing the option of letting Brandon Coleman walk after the season. 

David J. Phillip

NFL.com's Gennaro Filice

Grade: C-

This report card says the Saints went too hard for a pass rusher to get them over the top. Filice thinks a future first rounder is far too valuable to give up in this situation. He doesn't rule out Marcus Davenport having a great year, but he thinks the probability of it happening is not worth the risk. He didn't evaluate the other picks because, in the end, this draft will come down to the Davenport trade.

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