I have conducted a complete 7 round draft for every team in the NFL.  If you want to see what I have projected for any other team in the NFL, click on the team name in the right hand margin and go to the team’s Draft Report page if you don’t see the article on the front page of the site.  This was a lot of work so I hope you enjoy it.

The Saints will focus almost exclusively on the defense in the Draft in a couple of weeks.  I like they will get a good haul and here’s who I think they will add to their roster:

1. (27)  Paul Poslusny, LB, Penn State

2. (58)  David Irons, CB, Auburn

3. (88)  Jon Abbate, MLB, Wake Forest

4. (123)  Kareem Brown, DT, Miami (Florida)

4. (125)  Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State

4. (126)  Chase Pittman, DE, LSU

5. (163)  Rory Johnson, OLB, Mississippi

7. (220)  Jeremy Clark, DT, Alabama

Mission accomplished if they get these players in a couple of weeks.  The bonus was getting the Heisman Winner of last year to groom behind Drew Brees for a while.

The Saints have signed veteran WR David Patten and TE Calen Powell.  Patten was signed to a 1-year contract and he could be a good signing for the Saints.  He played in 5 games last season for the Washington Redskins and he only caught 1 pass for 25 yards.  Over his NFL career, Patten has played in 126 games and he’s caught 259 passes for 3,761 yards (14.5 avg) with 20 TD grabs.  He also has carried the football 11 times for 111 yards (10.1 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Patten could fit in nicely as the #4 or #5 WR for the Saints this season.  Powell will be lucky to make the team as he doesn’t have much experience at all.

The Saints have signed reserve linebacker Troy Evans to a 2-year contract.  He played in all 16 games for the Houston Texans last season and he made 14 tackles.  He’s a good special teams player and adds depth to the Saints linebacking corps.

The Saints have released John Carney after acquiring Olindo Mare a few days ago.  Carney did a good job for the Saints last season as he nailed 23 of 25 (92%) field goals and he hit 46 of 47 extra points.  But, the Saints wanted to move on with a younger kicker with a strong leg and Olindo Mare is exactly that guy.

The Saints have re-signed Rodney Leisle to a 1-year contract.  He played in 14 games with the Saints last season and he made 16 tackles and recovered a fumble.  Leisle will provide solid depth along the interior of the defensive line for the Saints this season.