We'll be live-blogging/commenting on the Friday rounds (2 & 3) tonight. Coverage will start at 6 p.m. CT.
Rounds 4-7 will begin Saturday at noon, and we'll cover those here then as well.
Couple quick thoughts:
- Kelvin Sheppard, Drake Nevis and Stevan Ridley probably have the best chances among LSU players of having their names called today. Sheppard has been mentioned even as high as a second-rounder, though I think that might be generous.
- Other name SEC players still available: Randall Cobb, Justin Houston, Clint Boling, Luke Stocker, D.J. Williams, Jerrell Powe, K.J. Wright and...
-
Ryan Mallett, who seems to be waiting longer for a team to take him than Charlie Sheen has for one of his torpedoes of truth to draw a laugh. What's funny about this, is that while I would never dream of taking Mallett in the first round, he could be a great value in the third for a team with an established veteran starter. Certainly better value than Christian Freaking Ponder in the first.
- The Saints have the 72nd and 88th overall choices, in the top and bottom of the third round. History tells us they'll stick to the best-player-available philosophy, though we obviously know they will be aggressive for the right player. They'd also be willing to drop back even farther if they think there's value in it.
- Few guys that would fit really well in the black & gold, and fit the model of a typical Sean Payton/Mickey Loomis draft pick: Sheppard, Cobb, Titus Young, Leonard Hankerson, Tandon Doss, DeMarcus Love, Stephen Paea, Mark Herzlich, Ahmad Black or Tyler Sash. I know fans have been clamoring for a linebacker taken high for years, but I've heard that Def. Coordinator Gregg Williams is to rookie linebackers what Larry Brown is to rookie point guards -- extremely picky in the traits he looks for and reluctant to be saddled with ones he needs to start quickly. So don't be surprised if the Saints avoid taking one yet again.
- I said it a lot last night but I'll reiterate it: I really like the Mark Ingram trade. It's easy to devalue running back until you're stuck bringing Julius Jones and Ladell Betts off the street to start. Between Reggie Bush's unsure status and Pierre Thomas and Chrisi Ivory's health issues, its worth a first-round pick next year to give yourself a better shot at a deep playoff run now.
Come join us in the comments...