Making the most of limited draft picks

If there was ever a year for the Saints to try and back out of the first round, this is it. The depth of this class at receiver and the scarcity of top-end talent at quarterback, linebacker, and along the offensive line just makes it the smart move — before you even consider that the Saints have just five choices in this year’s draft, with 60-plus selections made between their first and second picks.

The intelligence behind a move down makes even more sense when you consider how things are shaking out. Clemson all-star wideout Tee Higgins could be available early in the second round after a so-so pro day workout, which would be a steal given his obvious talent. The wealth of available options means that skilled talent might be overlooked in favor of better athletes, as happened a few years ago when Michael Thomas fell to the Saints in the second round. New Orleans could benefit from other teams’ overthinking again.

Unfortunately, trading down flies in the face of precedent. The Saints haven’t done that since the 2007 and 2008 drafts when Sean Payton was rebuilding the roster from the ground up. Instead, their strategy often focuses on trading up, targeting prospects who the Saints are confident can fit in and contribute right away. To illustrate that point, here’s a fun fact: Payton has traded up in every draft he’s conducted, except for 2006 (his first year on the job; the Saints also stood pat in 2012, when he was suspended).

But it wouldn’t be the first time the Saints have zigged when they were expected to zag. If another team makes them an offer they can’t refuse, they could strongly benefit from fighting their always-aggressive instincts.

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