As the 2011 NFL draft approaches, it is important to understand where the Saints stand at each major position group. The final stop on this tour of the roster will cover a group that probably won’t get a lot of early-round consideration this year: the defensive backs.
The defensive backfield is one of the Saints most complete position groups, having spent the last two first round picks on this area. 2009 first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins has made the successful transition from cornerback to safety as a result of Darren Sharper’s injury struggles, and the Saints hope that 2010 first-rounder Patrick Robinson is able to man Jenkins’ old cornerback spot in 2011.
Robinson wasn’t overly impressive in 2010, but playing behind Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer didnt yield him a lot of opportunity to see the field during the regular season. If Robinson takes either starting spot, it will likely be Porter’s, while it seems that Greer has established himself as belonging in the conversation for top 10-15 CBs in the NFL.
The only real uncertainty in the Saints secondary is a result of the labor situation, as the new CBA rules will likely determine Roman Harper’s free agency status. Under the old rules, having had five years of service, Harper would qualify as an unrestricted free agent and could test the open market.
It looks like, however, that in 2011 the owners will opt to use 2010’s free agency rules, which require six accrued years to gain UFA status. Essentially, barring a new CBA, Harper will most likely be a restricted free agent, and it is safe to assume the Saints will offer him a tender that keeps him in New Orleans.
Don’t expect to see a whole lot of attention paid to the cornerback and safety position tonight. If a safety with value is on the board when the Saints pick in the late rounds on Saturday, they may go for some depth here in the event that Sharper doesn’t return. Defensively, though, the Saints are much more likely to target defensive linemen and linebackers before defensive backs.
