Tag: Erik McCoy

Which past Senior Bowl participants have been picked by the Saints?

The New Orleans Saints have drafted Senior Bowl players like Erik McCoy, Marcus Davenport, and Sheldon Rankins after meeting them in Mobile.

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There are few offseason events bigger than the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.; it’s the first time coaches, scouts, and front office executives from around the NFL gather and socialize after the regular season has wrapped up. For many teams, the New Orleans Saints included, it’s a hiring opportunity to fill holes on the coaching staff. But the central mission is to get a real first impression with top draft prospects in the year’s most prominent collegiate all-star game.

That’s been a priority for the Saints, who have frequently gone on to add players who participated in the game and the three days of practices that precede it. Since Jeff Ireland joined (and quickly took over) the scouting department, they’ve used this opportunity to interview many draft prospects. In fact, the Saints have drafted at least one player from the Senior Bowl each year that Ireland has been with the team, and often double-dipped. Here’s the full list (draft picks in italics):

  • 2015: LB Stephone Anthony
  • 2015: LB Hau’oli Kikaha
  • 2015: QB Garrett Grayson
  • 2015: DT Kaleb Eulls
  • 2016: DT Sheldon Rankins
  • 2016: OL Jack Allen
  • 2017: LB Alex Anzalone
  • 2017: WR Travin Dural
  • 2018: DE Marcus Davenport
  • 2018: WR Tre’Quan Smith
  • 2018: TE Deon Yelder
  • 2019: OL Erik McCoy
  • 2019: DE Carl Granderson

So while it isn’t a guarantee that the Saints will pick anyone who plays in the Senior Bowl, it’s a good bet that some players will leave a lasting impression on Ireland and his scouts, as well as Sean Payton and his coaches. They’ll meet again at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis late in February, and possibly again at various pro day workouts or official facilities visits in New Orleans during the months leading up to April’s draft.

This is just one data point in eventual decisions that will bring new additions to the Saints, but it’s one worth watching. Ready or not, the offseason is here. You can find a complete guide to this year’s Senior Bowl over at Draft Wire through this link, as well as a top-50 ranking of the best prospects in this year’s game here.

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3 Saints rookies receive PFWA recognition after 2019 debut

The Pro Football Writers of America recognized New Orleans Saints Erik McCoy, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Deonte Harris on its All-Rookie Team

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Three members of the New Orleans Saints rookie class were recognized by the Pro Football Writers of America on their 2019 All-Rookie Team, highlighting their impressive efforts during their first season in the NFL.

Saints center Erik McCoy, cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson (who went by Chauncey in college before abbreviating it in the pros), and punt returner Deonte Harris were each singled out as top performers. Of that group, Harris was also named a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

McCoy snapped the ball on 99.4% of the plays run by the Saints offense, and played a combined 1,141 snaps between his time on offense and defense, per Pro Football Reference. That total trailed only right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who tied McCoy’s snap count on offense but logged three more appearances on special teams. The consistency and mistake-free football McCoy played with (he didn’t draw a single penalty flag in the final six weeks) is remarkable to see out of a rookie.

Encouragingly, the Saints got great returns on both prospects they traded up to acquire. The trade package that helped New Orleans move to pick McCoy in the second round of last year’s draft also netted them a fourth-round pick that was swapped again in a leap up for Gardner-Johnson.

It took the safety some time to earn playing-time with the defense, but he ultimately finished tenth-best in snaps played there (546) while also logging the seventh-most snaps on special teams (205). He was credited with just four missed tackles on 46 attempts, a rate of 8.0%. Only first-team All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis had a better missed tackle rate (4.3%) among Saints players who attempted 40-plus tackles.

As for Harris: he had the best season for a punt returner in the Sean Payton era, having returned 36 punts to gain 338 yards (leading the NFL in both categories), a rate of 9.4 yards per try. He also finished the year tied with Buffalo Bills kick returner Andre Roberts for the fourth-most yards in that phase (644), but did so with fewer kick returns than all of the players ranked above him (24).

It took a little longer for Harris to become comfortable fielding kickoffs in the NFL than punts — which should be expected given he played at small-school Assumption College before this — but he was ferocious down the stretch, picking up 100-plus kick return yards in four of his last seven games, including three matchups when opposing teams were too scared to kick to him.

So, all told, that’s not too bad for a draft class in which the Saints didn’t own a first-round pick. It’ll be intriguing to see where they go next.

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2019 New Orleans Saints Awards: Team MVP, Most Improved

Some New Orleans Saints players stood out more than others, earning recognition as the Team MVP, Breakout Player of the Year, and more.

The New Orleans Saints finished the regular season as one of the best teams in the NFL, with a 13-3 record — just the fourth time in team history that they’ve won so many games. Unfortunately, the Saint ultimately fell to the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. We’re not going to let that get in the way of appreciating how well they played last season.

We narrowed the list down to the top seven most-deserving players. Awards for the season will include Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, Comeback Player, Breakout Player, and top rookies on offense, defense and special teams for the 2019 season. Without further ado, here’s who we’ve selected:

Most Valuable Player: WR Michael Thomas

Thomas set the all-time record for most receptions in a single NFL season with 149, breaking the previous record of 143 set by Marvin Harrison back in 2002. Thomas’ feat is even more spectacular when considering that backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater started five games in Drew Brees’ absence with a thumb injury. New Orleans’ offensive scheme started and ended with targeting Thomas all over the field through the air, and as such, he is an easy choice for the 2019 Saints MVP award.

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2020 NFL Draft: Saints control picks No. 24 and 88, have five total selections

After making trades to acquire Erik McCoy and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the New Orleans Saints have just five picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

This isn’t what most New Orleans Saints fans want to worry about right now, but here goes: following Sunday’s wild-card round loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Saints own pick No. 24 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Their third-round pick is their only other choice in the first 100 selections; that third-rounder will be pick No. 88.

The Saints only have five picks in the upcoming draft following previous trades with other teams, but it’s worth noting those moves brought impactful rookies like center Erik McCoy and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to New Orleans. And the Saints had just five picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, too; they still landed big-time undrafted help in All-Pro returns specialist Deonte Harris and defensive linemen like Shy Tuttle and Carl Granderson.

So long as assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and his scouting staff are together, it’s a safe bet they’ll continue to find great prospects. Here are how where each of the Saints’ selections currently stand:

  • Round 1, No. 24
  • Round 3, No. 88
  • Round 4, To be decided (pending compensatory picks)
  • Round 5, To be decided (pending compensatory picks)
  • Round 6, To be decided (pending compensatory picks)

Additionally, here is the full draft order so far. Because the Saints finished the regular season with a better record than the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and whoever loses the remaining wild-card round game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, they own the final slot in the four spaces reserved for teams that suffered first-round playoff exits.

  1. Bengals
  2. Redskins
  3. Lions
  4. Giants
  5. Dolphins
  6. Chargers
  7. Panthers
  8. Cardinals
  9. Jaguars
  10. Browns
  11. Jets
  12. Raiders
  13. Colts
  14. Buccaneers
  15. Broncos
  16. Falcons
  17. Cowboys
  18. Dolphins
  19. Raiders
  20. Jaguars
  21. Bills/Seahawks/Eagles
  22. Bills/Seahawks/Eagles
  23. Patriots
  24. Saints

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Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders omitted from PFF’s list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17

Miles Sanders omitted from PFF list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17

Miles Sanders is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, he’s helped carry the Philadelphia Eagles to a division title and he should win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Without all of those accolades and accomplishments this season, Sanders was somehow omitted from Pro Football Focus’s list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17.

That’s correct, even as Sanders shatters Eagles rookie records and cements his status in Philadelphia for years to come, 50 other rookies, some not as dynamic or as impressive, earned a spot on the list according to PFF.

The running backs on the list included, the Raiders Josh Jacobs, who was No. 4 on the list. Other running backs included David Montgomery (No. 37) and the Bills Devin Singletary, who was No. 45 on the list.

Sean Payton says Saints scouted Titans WR A.J. Brown heavily before 2019 draft

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is a fan of Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown, one of the breakout rookie playmakers of 2019.

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The New Orleans Saints went into the offseason needing help at wide receiver, and they didn’t find it. Their gamble that Cameron Meredith would rebound from a serious knee injury stronger than Willie Snead would recover from a bad season turned out to be a bust. Second-year pros Tre’Quan Smith and Keith Kirkwood weren’t able to stay healthy for much of the season or consistently help the offense. Ted Ginn Jr. regressed hard after a career year in New Orleans. Undrafted prospects Emmanuel Butler and Lil’Jordan Humphrey have proven to be practice squad fodder.

It’s almost cruel that the Saints have to play one of the best rookie wideouts this week given the series of disappointments they’ve dealt with. A.J. Brown has been a revelation for the Tennessee Titans, posting a statline that anyone would be proud of. He’s caught 47 of 74 targets (63.5%) to gain 893 yards and score seven touchdowns, picking up a first down on 35 of his catches. That’s an average of 19.0 yards per catch (8.7 yards gained after the catch) and a first-down conversion rate of 74.5%, with per-game numbers of 3.4 receptions and 63.8 receiving yards in 2019.

Unfortunately, Saints coach Sean Payton can be counted among the crowd that hasn’t been shocked by Brown’s success as a second-round pick out of Ole Miss.

“He’s someone we scouted a lot when he was coming out last year,” Payton admitted during a conference call with Titans media. “First off, he’s got transitional quickness, he’s big. He’s someone that I think is very good after the catch. I also see a real good blocker in the running game. For a young receiver, those are real good signs.”

While Payton and the Saints may have liked Brown’s NFL prospects, they were too short-handed in draft capital to do much with that interest. They had to trade up from No. 62 to No. 48 to select Texas A&M center Erik McCoy, and that pick has been a slam dunk — the rookie won a starting gig and has rarely missed a snap this season while putting in high-quality game tape. The Titans picked Brown a few minute later at No. 51.

Brown wasn’t a huge part of the Titans offense early in the season, having averaged just 29.3 snaps per game through the first four weeks. But his playmaking ability and strength in blocking out on the perimeter has warranted more playing-time, and he’s gone on to average 45 snaps per game in the ten weeks since.

It’s going to be difficult for the Saints to corral Brown and the other Titans receivers, which include former top-ten draft pick Corey Davis and, ironically, slot specialist Adam Humphries — another receiver the Saints targeted this offseason, who the Titans won over with a four-year, $36 million contract in free agency. Pro Bowl Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore should be up to the task, but there’s real questions to ask whether number-two corner Eli Apple, slot defender P.J. Williams, and veteran newcomer Janoris Jenkins will be up to snuff.

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The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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Nick Easton gets the start at left guard for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints started veteran left guard Nick Easton in relief of injured starter Andrus Peat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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The New Orleans Saints are without starting left guard Andrus Peat for about six weeks following surgery on his broken arm, so they turned to veteran Nick Easton to fill in for him. It’s a surprising decision only in the sense that Easton hasn’t taken a single snap on offense since the Saints signed him to a four-year, $22.5 million contract earlier this year. Before Sunday’s game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Easton was a healthy scratch in six of the Saints’ first nine games.

Instead, New Orleans has preferred to activate backups Will Clapp and Patrick Omameh. That’s probably due to Clapp’s upside in overloaded offensive line sets, putting him out on the edge next to left tackle Terron Armstead or right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Omameh can play both guard and tackle, making him a go-to reserve. That lack of versatility (Easton has only played center and left guard in the NFL) may help explain the decision to keep an expensive free agent on the bench after younger players like Peat and rookie center Erik McCoy won starting jobs ahead of him.

So now Easton is in the lineup, and he’s done a good job of avoiding mistakes early in the game against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a decent pass rush that’s improved with the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul, so he’ll have his work cut out for him as the afternoon continues.

It’s a big opportunity for Easton outside of the immediate playing-time he’s getting in relief of Peat. Peat is a free agent in the spring and likely going to earn a contract near the top of the market; if Easton plays well, he has to be the favorite to take Peat’s spot at left guard in the long-term. His contract features just $4 million in guarantees, making it a much more affordable deal for New Orleans than the totals may suggest. How he performs over the next six weeks could end up being even more important than it appears at first glance. He’s playing for his future.

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