Thursday Reading

You knew it was coming. More positional analysis from the writers at the Times-Pic. Today's highlighted position? Defensive Tackle. Now this is relevant.

The first article is the usual breakdown of the top DT in this years draft. Since this is a position where the Saints might actually go in the first or second round, I will post the most likely candidates.

Glenn Dorsey
LSU
6-2, 297
Questions continue to dog Dorsey about the health of his right knee, despite the fact that doctors have given him a clean bill of health. Once considered a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick, but now likely in the top three.

Sedrick Ellis
Southern California
6-1, 309
Ellis' performance during Senior Bowl week spoke volumes about his ability. He was dominant. Voted by Pacific-10 offensive linemen as the best defensive lineman in the conference.

Kentwan Balmer
North Carolina
6-5, 308
His decision not to participate at the Senior Bowl and some less-than-impressive numbers at the combine in February in Indianapolis likely dropped him into the bottom half of the draft's first round and cost him plenty of money.

Trevor Laws
Notre Dame
6-1, 304
He has a quick first step that teams on the next level look for in an interior tackle, but that might not be enough to push him into the end of the first round. Played defensive end as senior after the Irish switched to 3-4.

Pat Sims
Auburn
6-2, 310
He was slowed by a groin injury at the combine, and it adversely affected his measurables which didn't improve at pro day. But it's hard to ignore the way he played during his last season in the Southeastern Conference, where he was dominant.

The other article was a look at DT out of USC, Sedrick Ellis. The gist of the article is that Ellis is actually a premium talent, but because he happens to be in a draft class deep with defensive line talent, he has gotten lost in the mix and is not getting the recognition he would normally receive.

"In another draft, I think (Ellis) would be a guy who would be a top-three pick," Baltimore Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta told reporters last week. "But because of this unique draft, where you have Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey and (Vernon) Gholston, the picks in the latter half of the top 10 are going to have a good chance of getting Sedrick Ellis. I think he's one of the best players at his position to come out of the draft in a long time."

That is great news! That means we have the possibility of getting a player who actually has the talent of a top three draft pick but for a steal at the tenth pick (or higher if we trade up). Honestly, I think Ellis could be a legitimately real target for the Saints this year and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. We would have to give up a lot to move up for Dorsey, way more than I would be comfortable with. So if the Saints want to go with a DT, Sedrick Ellis would be the wiser move. Almost equal value for way less.

If you still need help picturing it...

Think of Ellis as a younger version of Hollis Thomas, who can fill the middle of the line with his size and be quick enough to get into the backfield to disrupt the quarterback. That could be an attractive option for a team such as the Saints, who might be looking to get younger in the interior of the defensive line.

The Sun Herald did a history of the #10 pick in past drafts.I know we have all seen this before this year, but I don't write it, I just bring it to you. So check it out here.