The NFLDraftguys staff is going simulate playing the GM of each of the 31 teams picking in the first round and justify their picks. You can look forward to a new pick every day leading up to April 28, when the staff will be in Radio City Music Hall to see if they took our advice.
Don't forget to go over to The 1.27 OTC Thread at The Shark Pool, where the authors and the best football community anywhere are discussing this question. The Shark Pool is part of Footballguys, the only place to get your fantasy football advice and analysis. If you haven't already done it, sign up for the footballguys email update, they scour the offseason news so you don't have to!
Follow the progress of the On The Clock Draft Board, where you can see exactly how the first round would play out if the NFLDraftguys staff were making the calls in the war room.
Sean Baca
With the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints SHOULD take Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Look for the Saints and Payton to take the best player available and not reach for a player in hopes they will produce. The Saints were oh so close last year and it was no fluke so look for them to improve as much as possible and as early as possible. The Saints need a play maker on defense and Timmons has the speed and pop to make things happen on a football field. Cornerback is also a need but Timmons would be an absolute steal anywhere after 1.15 in this draft.
Timmons like Beason is an athlete who is fast and ferocious. He is playmaker who is always around and digging for the ball. The offense is in great shape overall and a guy like Timmons could start day one and contribute very early to a team that does not have very far to go. Give that offense some shorter fields and force teams to throw and Timmons' best asset, rushing the QB, would be in full motion.
Marc Faletti
With the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints SHOULD select Marshawn Lynch, RB, California.
Juuust kidding.
With the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints SHOULD select Justin Blalock, OG, Texas.
Still may seem like a weird fit, huh? The Saints' line performed above expectations last year, and they have needs in the defensive backfield. But none of the DBs left on my board are consistent enough for me to feel good about any team taking them, even those in need.
On top of that, Blalock's excellent value at this point in the draft, and the last player who seems like a surefire bet to be an excellent NFL starter. He's a smart, nasty, consistent blocker with perhaps the quickest feet of any o-lineman in the draft. He needs some work on technique, but he's a sharp kid who doesn't lack for concentration, so I'm confident he'll pick up the little things.
The Saints line did do well, but they have little to no depth behind their overachieving starters, and Blalock is versatile enough to play 4 positions for them. If the Saints hang on to the 27th pick, they should take the BPA. On my board, that's Blalock.
Cecil Lammey
With the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints SHOULD take Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU Tigers.
This pick makes so much sense, it's scary. The Saints let Joe Horn go off to the Falcons and have a need at the WR position. I know Devery Henderson has looked good at times (I love the kid personally), but injuries and inconsistencies have marred his career to this point. Enter another Bayou Bengal - Dwayne Bowe.
Teaming Bowe with Marques Colston would almost be unfair for opposing defenses. Adding another weapon to that offense would make Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and Duece McAllister even more dangerous.
Dwayne Bowe is a big, physical receiver that knows how to use his frame to shield defenders away from the ball. Once he has the ball he is a load to bring down because of his great size and athletic ability. He is improving as a route runner, and knows how to get seperation. His hands and leaping ability are outstanding. The Saints need to draft this hometown hero.
Sigmund Bloom
With the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints SHOULD take Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU Tigers.
Now that the Saints have bolstered their CB corps with the signing of Jason David, and locked down Charles Grant for the foreseeable future, they can focus this pick on exactly where the value will be - WR. Marques Colston needs a long term partner, and it just makes too much sense to pair him with a Bayou Bengal.
Bowe's rugged style will allow the Saints to overpower teams with small CBs, having to face Colston's long reach and Bowe's sturdy physique. They could also look at LB, especially if one of Jon Beason or Paul Posluszny fall this far.
