New Orleans Saints 2013 NFL Draft Review

Apr 29, 2013 - 6:23 PM (Sports Network) -

1 (15) - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas; 3 (75) Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine-Bluff; 3 (82) John Jenkins, DT, Georgia; 5 (144) - Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma; 6 (183) - Rufus Johnson - DE, Tarleton State

Top Picks Analysis: General manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton are back in charge after being sidelined during the Bountygate scandal and they snared Vaccaro at No. 15 overall, the draft's best safety and a potential All-Pro defender. Armstead is as raw as it gets but is a freaky athlete, even better than Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, and a possible replacement for the departed Jermon Bushrod. Jenkins, meanwhile, is a huge man who is incredibly quick and nimble.

Best Value Pick: Stills needs to get far more physical but he has great hands and will love the catchable ball Drew Brees throws.

Questionable Calls: If New Orleans expects Armstead to jump right in to things without any hiccups, it may be asking too much. The Arkansas Pine-Bluff product faced sub-par competition at the college level and needs to add to his lower body strength so he can fend off the bull rush.

Summary: The Saints defense was a mess in '12, finishing at the bottom of the league in a number of defensive categories. When Payton returned he fired coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and hired Rob Ryan to make the switch to 3-4 scheme, meaning the team must fine fits. Vaccaro and Jenkins were a good start but plenty more needs to be done.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Undrafted rookie free agent signings: West Virginia RB Shawne Alston; Illinois DE Glenn Foster; Tulane QB Ryan Griffin; Idaho State TE Josh Hill; Utah CB Ryan Lacy; Grand Valley State G Tim Lelito; Nebraska LB Eric Martin; Michigan C Elliot Mealer; Louisiana-Monroe TE Keavon Milton; North Carolina LB Kevin Reddick; Central Florida LB Rayford Shipman; Georgia Tech CB Rod Sweeting; Stanford LB Chase Thomas