The Saints did a good job last April as half of their draft picks made a good impact.  It all started in the first round when the Saints selected DT Sedrick Ellis.  Ellis played in 13 games (all starts) last season for the Saints and he made 30 tackles, had 4 sacks and he defensed 5 passes.  Ellis could develop into a Pro Bowler in the near future as he has the power to push the pocket up the middle of the defense.  CB Tracy Porter (2nd round) played very well for the Saints before his season ended due to a wrist injury.  Porter played in 5 games (all starts) last season and he made 25 tackles, defensed 5 passes and had 1 interception.  In the 5th round the Saints hit another home run with the selection of OG Carl Nicks.  Nicks played in 16 games (13 starts) for the Saints last season and he made a tackle.  Nicks is just the latest of a long line of second day picks used on O-Linemen that have produced for the Saints.  The rest of the draft didn’t show much for the Saints.  5th round pick (DT) DeMario Pressley didn’t play in 2008 as a foot injury caused him to go on Injured Reserve.  Placekicker Taylor Mehlhaff (6th round) didn’t last long for the Saints.  He played in 3 games for the Saints and he made 3 of 4 field goals and 9 of 10 extra points.  Mehlhaff was released during the season and didn’t hook up with another team as a rookie.  7th round WR Adrian Arrington didn’t get on the field as a rookie as he spent his season on I.R. with a bad case of turf toe.

GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B