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So, it turns out that there’s a method to the New Orleans Saints’ madness — or at least a silver lining to the decision to trade all four of their remaining draft picks to get back into the third round. But now we risk mixing metaphors.
The virtual format of this year’s draft means that teams can’t coordinate as easy once the undrafted free agent signing period kicks off after the seventh round. In normal years, the coaching and scouting staffs are gathered in the team’s war room where everyone can see the big board, working together to recruit prospects and fill out the roster.
For example, last year Deonte Harris ended up signing with the Saints because special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi “stood on a table” (there’s another metaphor) to talk team decision-makers into taking a chance on the small-school prospect out of Assumption College. Harris went on to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition, posting the best numbers of any punt returner since Sean Payton was hired to coach the team.
It won’t be so easy to do that this time around. Teams can still hold teleconferences and share information on group spreadsheets, but the process is expected to be even more hectic than usual.
So while it’s not the reason they traded all of their picks, having that extra time to prepare a strategy while every other team is making their picks is something Payton is looking forward to.
Payton explained after the second day’s picks, “We’ll be in a position to clearly identify a ranking order of players that we want to sign and commit money to as (undrafted) free agents, and then have the correct vision as to how they will make this roster. I just think it will bring a little bit more order on the third day with everyone in their houses.”
We’ll see if it that approach works out. Our live undrafted free agency tracker will go up immediately after the seventh round concludes, so check back often for updates on which rookies will get a shot with the Saints.
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