New Orleans Saints NFL Draft coverage continues on Saints247, as we continue to analyze potential picks. Recently ESPN experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper updated their first round selections in their Mock Drafts on ESPN insider.
- From ESPN.com
While I don’t agree with either selection, McShay’s is the more confusing.
While Taylor will certainly be a fine NFL player, the Saints biggest need on the defensive line comes in the form of a pass rusher, not a guy who recorded only 5 sacks throughout college, and by is for all intents and purposes, suited for nose tackle on a 3-4 defense.
Clayborn is a natural pass rusher who recorded 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles his junior season, but one has to wonder what sort of difficulties he will have due to Erb’s Palsy. He literally struggled through his senior year, seeing drastic dropoffs in both sacks, tackles and forced fumbles, and while a lot of that can be explained by the additional attention he received, it can’t be ignored. If he’s being drafted this high based on need rather than talent, the Saints will have made a big mistake.
While I would certainly prefer Taylor to Clayborn, I don’t think either is an ideal fit for Gregg Williams. Since they have so much riding on this draft (with 29 unsigned players on the roster), the Saints need to make sure they make a solid pick that can step right in and make an impact, and although Taylor is physically there, I’m not sure he’s ready to step into a new role so early in his career.
