Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2013 NFL Draft officially in the past everyone will start looking at and evaluating the players that were drafted. The New Orleans Saints used their draft picks very wisely and addressed some major needs. With their third pick of the draft the Saints got creative and managed to draft Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins.
On day two of the draft the Saints were able to trade RB Chris Ivory, and as a result were able to draft Jenkins. In case you missed it, here’s how it happened: the Saints traded Ivory to the New York Jets for their fourth-round pick, which gave the Saints two fourth-round picks. After the Saints acquired the two fourth-round picks they traded them to the Miami Dolphins for their third-round pick which, in turn, landed Jenkins.
Ivory will now get the opportunity he has been seeking with the Jets, and the Saints’ backfield will not be as jumbled. The Saints made a great move to get Jenkins because he does address a big need for the Saints, and that need is for a defensive tackle for their new 3-4 defense.
Jenkins could come in and start at nose tackle right away for the Saints. At 6-foot-4 346 pounds Jenkins is massive and could be the perfect anchor for the Saints’ defensive line. Before drafting Jenkins the Saints were going to go with the 6-foot-2 300 pound Brodrick Bunkley as the starting nose tackle. With Jenkins’ arrival he is much bigger than Bunkley and could prove to be a more effective run-stuffer than Bunkley.
The Saints had an overall good draft this year and picking Jenkins was a great move because their defensive line is really starting to come together. It will be interesting to see how all of their draft picks will pan out with the team, but the Saints should definitely improve in the upcoming season.
Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312
