With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. The Saints get called on today.
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 – 69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: Cameron Jordan DE, CAL - 31 Tackles, 1 Sack
Analysis: The Saints took Jordan hoping he’d help them in the sack department. He failed to do that, and really didn’t make much of an impact at all, 15 starts.
Grade: 2/5
Round 1: Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - 474 Rushing Yds, 5 TDs, 11 Receptions 46 Yds
Analysis: The Saints gave up their 2012 first rounder to move up and take Ingram here. After year one, they have to be questioning that move. Ingram did play well in spurts but he had problems in short yardage and goaline situations and was outplayed by fellow RB Darren Sproles. He was later lost for the season with a toe owie.
Grade: 3/5
Round 3: Martez Wilson LB, Illinois - 10 Tackles, 1 Sack
Analysis: Martez played in 13 games and started one. He didn’t do a whole lot but will likely be in line for a bigger role next season.
Grade: 1.5/3
Round 3: Johnny Patrick CB, Louisville - 6 Tackles
Analysis: Patrick didn’t get a ton of playing time in his first year in the Big Easy. He played in 9 games and his contributions were minimal.
Grade: .5/3
Round 7: Nate Bussey LB, Illinois - No stats whatsoever.
Analysis: N/A
Grade: 0/0
TOTAL SCORE: 7/16
FINAL GRADE: 44% F
Analysis: The Saints got very little production from this draft class in year one. They thought they had a gift fall into their laps when Cam Jordan, who many thought was a top fifteen pick, fell to them at 24. He only registered one sack and mustered just over 30 tackles. They will hope his production increases greatly in his sophomore season. The Saints then got frisky and traded this year’s first rounder to move up and take Mark Ingram. Ingram had his moments in his rookie season, but overall was disappointing as he battle injuries and was being outplayed by the likes of Darren Sproles. The rest of the Saints draft class wasn’t much better as both their third rounders offered little as well. This class still has a ton of potential and I would expect a major jump in grade after year two.
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