Latest saints mailbag part 2 draft smokescreens favorite inside linebacker

Mike TriplettApr 19, 2015, 12:00 PM ET

Thanks for submitting your New Orleans Saints questions to me on Twitter. Send them anytime @MikeTriplett. And click here to read Part 1 of this week’s mailbag.

@MikeTriplett Being that @Saints use smokescreens prior to the draft, and CSP saying they're going draft defense, do you see a WR in the 1st
— Patrick Crosby (@patrickkcrosby) April 17, 2015

@MikeTriplett: I think the concept of "smokescreens" can be a bit overrated. The Saints like to be unpredictable, but I can't remember many examples of them telling outright lies to try and throw off the opposition. Besides, a smokescreen isn't really necessary this year since New Orleans' top target is so hard to peg. Yes, coach Sean Payton has stressed the need to draft multiple defensive players early, but he has also talked about the need for a receiver and another interior offensive lineman. I think six different positions are realistically in play with the No. 13 pick in Round 1 (outside linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, defensive tackle, wide receiver and offensive tackle/guard). With the 31^st pick in Round 1, I'd also throw in inside linebacker and tight end as possibilities.

@MikeTriplett How do you think Jeff Ireland's presence will make the most difference in our draft strategy?
— Ralph Ott (@whoopeddog) April 17, 2015

@MikeTriplett: I don't expect a major strategy change based on Jeff Ireland's presence. General manager Mickey Loomis and Payton are still the dominant voices in that department, and they'll be the ones in charge of making the final pick and moving up or down, etc. Ireland's input should go a long way toward evaluating the players themselves and determining their final grades, though. And I have to imagine the Saints have already sought Ireland's input on a couple of their free-agent moves -- like trading for former Miami Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and signing former Dallas Cowboys end/linebacker Anthony Spencer. Ireland was the Dolphins' GM when they signed Ellerbe, and he was Dallas' top college scout when they drafted Spencer.

@MikeTriplett who is your favorite ILB? Mine is Kendricks. I'm not sure he will be there at 31. Is he worth trading up for in your opinion?
— Robert Fouquet (@RobertFouquet) April 17, 2015

@MikeTriplett: I'm with you -- I like the idea of the more athletic linebackers who can cover tight ends and chase down speed backs from sideline to sideline. I've been saying for years that the Saints need their own version of fellow NFC South studs such as Lavonte David and Thomas Davis. So UCLA's Eric Kendricks, Washington's Shaq Thompson and TCU's Paul Dawson could all possibly fit that bill. I'm especially intrigued by Thompson, who played linebacker, safety and running back in college and can be dynamic in the open field. But his size (6-foot, 228 pounds) makes him a question mark as a linebacker. Some scouting analysts project him as a safety, and analysts are all over the map when it comes to his draft potential. I've seen him in the teens, and I've seen him in the middle of the second round. I also like Clemson's Stephone Anthony and Miami's Denzel Perryman, who project more as traditional middle linebackers. Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney is an interesting prospect who's bigger and could possibly play inside, outside or even on the line. All of those guys could be available to the Saints with the 31^st pick -- and a few should last to the 44^th pick. So the only way the Saints should trade up for one of them is if they have a significantly higher grade on one above all the others.

@MikeTriplett are there any free agent ILBs or OLBs still available you see Saints pursuing before the draft?
— Cool Brees (@Breesus2009) April 17, 2015

@MikeTriplett: I suppose it's possible since I rank those as the Saints' top two needs heading into the draft -- and the team has continued to bring veteran free agents in for visits this past week (receiver Greg Jennings and defensive end Corey Wootton). I don't see any obvious linebacker candidates sitting out there, though. The Saints already signed one older veteran outside linebacker in Anthony Spencer, so I'm not sure they'd pursue another one such as Dwight Freeney, John Abraham, Osi Umenyiora, Shaun Phillips or Mathias Kiwanuka. Inside linebackers Brandon Spikes and Lance Briggs would make a little more sense, but I haven't heard of the Saints showing any interest. Anyone else would be more of a depth/backup signing.

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Saints mailbag, Part 2: Draft smokescreens? Favorite inside linebacker?