ANALYSIS: A quick look back at 2008 shows the weak part of this team: there were only 3 games where they allowed less than 17 points (Raiders, Lions and 49ers), and the 4th lowest total was 20 pts (Chiefs) – not exactly a murderers’ row of offenses there.  And only one time did they score less than 20 points.  One guess what the difference between a 4th place finish in the division at 8-8 and a playoff spot is: DEFENSE!  There’s been lots of talk on message boards and news outlets doing mock drafts about some of the missing pieces: an every down RB, offensive line depth, but the one consistent you’ll find is the New Orleans Saints need help on the other side of the ball, especially at LB and Safety, if not the entire secondary.  I’ve seen a couple prognosticators having the Saints taking a Chris Wells or Knowshon Moreno in this spot, but with the emergence of Pierre Thomas as a workhorse and Reggie Bush coming back, I don’t see how they can use such a high pick on this position.  Also, we’ll rule out any OL as the top ones have been chosen so no temptation, and the next tier of OL would be a reach here.  So the focus here will be on defense.  I don’t think they’ll focus on defensive line unless one of two prospects were to drop here: BJ Raji or Brian Orapko.  The Saints went DT last year, and would only do the same here if they were getting the best of the best.  So we’ve come to LB and DB.  There’s only one DB option at this point, and I think it would be a great get here: Malcolm Jenkins, out of Ohio State.  Jenkins didn’t have the best combine, but his onfield play speaks for itself.  He’s a ball hawking, physical player who can play both CB and S at the next level.  He’s got perfect size, and even if he doesn’t have the best straight line speed (4.5’s in the 40), his game speed is more than enough to play with the top offensive players.  All of the “experts” dug really deep to find the negatives, nit-picking on parts of his game that can easily be coached and developed.  He will be a starter for many years to come in the league.  This is the “best of both worlds” situation for New Orleans – a need position supplanted by the best prospect available.  He is a top 10 talent. 

Other possibilities here: Aaron Maybin, LB/DE, PSU – projected to be an OLB/DE hybrid and OLB is a big whole for the Saints as well.

Jenkins is the pick here and the Saints go marching on!