Reader’s Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints are on the Clock
By Coach Boss
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL draft will be here before we know it. Now that Free Agency has settled down, team needs have come into focus. That could mean only one thing – it’s time for another mock draft! But rather than us sitting back and throwing darts at the wall, we thought we’d let you join in the fun. We’ll roll through the draft order and give each team choices based on team needs and the best players available and you’ll vote on the picks for each team. On with the countdown…
27. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Ah what a difference a year makes. Sean Payton was not allowed to be around the Saints in 2012 as a result of the bountygate scandal investigations. He didn’t coach; he didn’t get to talk with the players; he wasn’t even allowed to have anything to do with the team at all for a full year. In 2013, Payton was allowed to resume his duties as Head Coach and the fortunes of the Saints changed dramatically. One of the coaching additions to the 2013 staff was that of Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan. He installed and ran his version of the 3-4, with all of its exotic blitzes and formations, and the defense went from one of the all time worst (yards allowed) to a top 4 defense in yards per game and scoring. The Saints made it back to the playoffs as a #6 seed with 11-5 record. They even won their first ever road playoff game over the Philadelphia Eagles 26-24 to end a franchise 0-5 drought. This will be Sean Payton’s 8th year as head coach of the Saints. Since Payton has been at the helm, the Saints never seem to rebuild, they simply reload.