12 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT
NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker
On the Board: New Orleans Saints....
The Saints will enter the 2009 draft with the 14th pick overall and if all the stars align on Saturday, all signs would point towards Head Coach Sean Payton selecting the first running back in this year's class of freshman. While the Saints do have the electric Reggie Bush (844-yards, 9-total touchdowns), the loss of an effective Deuce McAllister creates a hole in their running game.
Last season the team struggled at the position (ranked 28th in the NFL) often rotating players in and out trying to find a winning formula. At 5'11" Pierre Thomas was the team's biggest and most consistent runner averaging 4.8-yards per carry and leading the team with 625-yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Thomas appears hardnosed, but undersized it's hard to imagine he could withstand the season-long punishment. Like Bush, Thomas is versatile and a better fit in open spaces as part of the short passing game.
With the 14th pick and their next not due until the fourth round (116th overall), it would make sense for the team to look at running back early. The team has many holes on defense, but with such a well-oiled machine on offense just needing a bit of tinkering, it would make sense for Payton to look for that missing piece.
While some are project the Saints to go running back at 14, there seems to be an even divide as to who they take. With Thomas and Bush considered small at the position, it's only logical to look for more size and bulk to compliment. At 6'1' and 235-lbs, Chris Wells (Ohio State) would seem to be the perfect fit in New Orleans.
(Photo by Al Tielemans/SI.com)
Wells has size, strength, power, and for his frame very good speed. In 31 career games, Wells rushed for 2,804-yards and scored 26 touchdowns. Although he's not a great receiver, he won't need to be playing in the same type of role as Deuce did and he won't need him to be an every down back either sharing carries with Bush and Thomas. Wells will give Payton and company an inside runner who can also bounce it outside.
There are a lot of places the Saints could go with their 14th pick, but this is likely their best stop for a team hoping to return to the post-season in 2009.
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