Saints 2002 NFL Draft in Review

by Jon Banks on Mar 25, 2011 12:00 PM CDT

Because of the current NFL lockout there is only one thing left to talk about this off:season: the draft! After the jump are each of the rounds from the 2002 draft. The entire draft is not listed however, only the Saints pick in each round and the next few picks. I'm going to list the career stats of those players in the first round and let you decide if you would have taken a different player other than the one the Saints took. Forget about needs of the time and just choose the player with the most talent.

Make the jump to revisit the 2002 draft!

2002 Draft

1st Round

13	New Orleans Saints	Donté Stallworth	Wide Receiver	Tennessee
14	New York Giants ^{(from Tennessee)}	Jeremy Shockey	Tight End	Miami (FL)
15	Tennessee Titans ^{(from N.Y. Giants)}	Albert Haynesworth	Defensive Tackle	Tennessee
16	Cleveland Browns ^[I]	William Green	Running Back	Boston College
17	Oakland Raiders ^{(from Atlanta)}	Phillip Buchanon	Cornerback	Miami (FL)
18	Atlanta Falcons ^{(from Washington through Oakland)}	T. J. Duckett	Running Back	Michigan State
19	Denver Broncos	Ashley Lelie	Wide Receiver	Hawaii
20	Green Bay Packers ^{(from Seattle)}	Javon Walker	Wide Receiver	Florida State
21	New England Patriots ^{(from Tampa Bay through Oakland and Washington)}	Daniel Graham	Tight End	Colorado
22	New York Jets	Bryan Thomas	Defensive End	UAB
23	Oakland Raiders	Napoleon Harris	Linebacker	Northwestern
24	Baltimore Ravens	Ed Reed	Free Safety	Miami (FL)
25	New Orleans Saints ^{(from Miami)}	Charles Grant	Defensive End	Georgia
26	Philadelphia Eagles	Lito Sheppard	Cornerback	Florida

(yellow denotes Pro Bowl)

Donte Stallworth- 298 receptions, 4,465 receiving yards, 32 TD, 97 rushing yards, 5 fumbles, 3 lost. Currently 8th season.

Jeremy Shockey- 510 receptions, 5,688 receiving yards, 33 TD, 7 fumbles, 5 lost. Currently 9th season.

Albert Haynesworth- 309 tackles, 28 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 passes deflected. Currently 9th season. Serious Character issues.

William Green- 568 attempts for ,2109 yards, 9 TD, 45 receptions for 277 yards, 12 fumbles 6 yards. 4 seasons.

Phillip Buchanon- 388 tackles, 1 sack, 8 forced fumbles, 20 INT, 73 passes deflected. Currently 9th season.

T.J. Duckett- 717 attempts for 2,814 yards, 44 TD, 35 receptions for 303 yards, 9 fumbles, 6 lost. 7 seasons

Ashley Lelie- 217 receptions for 3,749 yards, 15 TD, 1 fumble. 8 seasons

Javon Walker- 267 receptions for 4011 yards, 31 TD, 14 attempts for 132 yards and 1 rushing TD, 5 fumbles, 4 lost. 8 seasons

Daniel Grahm- 222 receptions for 2,465 yards, 24 TD, 3 fumbles 1 lost. Currently 9th season.

Bryan Thomas- 366 tackles, 25 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 8 passes deflected. Currently 9th season

Napoleon Harris- 481 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 12 passes deflected, 4 INT, 5 forced fumbles. 8 seasons

Ed Reed- 492 tackles, 5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 54 INT, 112 passes deflected. Currently 9th season.

Charles Grant- 431 tackles, 47 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 31 passes deflected. 8 seasons

Lito Shepard- 295 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 19 INT, 82 passes deflected. Currently 9th season.

2nd Round

44	New Orleans Saints	LeCharles Bentley	Center	Ohio State
45	Tennessee Titans	Tank Williams	Strong Safety	Stanford
46	New York Giants	Tim Carter	Wide Receiver	Auburn
47	Cleveland Browns	André Davis	Wide Receiver	Virginia Tech
48	San Diego Chargers	Reche Caldwell	Wide Receiver	Florida
49	Arizona Cardinals	Levar Fisher	Linebacker	NC State
50	Houston Texans	Chester Pitts	Guard	San Diego State
51	Denver Broncos	Clinton Portis	Running Back	Miami (FL)

3rd Round

82	New Orleans Saints	James Allen	Linebacker	Oregon State
83	Houston Texans	Charles Hill	Nose Tackle	Maryland
84	St. Louis Rams	Lamar Gordon	Fullback	North Dakota State
85	Seattle Seahawks	Kris Richard	Cornerback	USC
86	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marquise Walker	Wide Receiver	Michigan
87	Washington Redskins ^{(from Baltimore)}	Cliff Russell	Wide Receiver	Utah
88	New York Jets	Chris Baker	Tight End	Michigan State

4th Round

125	New Orleans Saints ^{(from Miami)}	Keyuo Craver	Cornerback	Nebraska
126	New England Patriots	Jarvis Green	Defensive End	LSU
127	San Francisco 49ers	Kevin Curtis	Defensive Back	Texas Tech
128	Pittsburgh Steelers	Larry Foote	Linebacker	Michigan
129	Dallas Cowboys ^{(from Chicago)}	Jamar Martin	Fullback	Ohio State

5th Round

150	New Orleans Saints	Mel Mitchell	Safety	Western Kentucky
151	Tennessee Titans	Jake Schifino	Wide Receiver	Akron
152	New York Giants	Nick Greisen	Linebacker	Wisconsin
153	Houston Texans	Ramon Walker	Safety	Pittsburgh
154	New York Jets	Jonathan Goodwin	Guard	Michigan
155	Baltimore Ravens ^{(from Denver)}	Terry Jones	Tight End	Alabama
156	Green Bay Packers ^{(from Seattle)}	Aaron Kampman	Defensive End	Iowa

6th Round

186	New Orleans Saints	J. T. O'Sullivan	Quarterback	UC Davis
187	Tennessee Titans	Justin Hartwig	Center	Kansas
188	New York Giants	Wesly Mallard	Linebacker	Oregon
189	Oakland Raiders ^{(from Cleveland)}	Keyon Nash	Defensive Back	Albany State
190	Houston Texans	Howard Green	Defensive Tackle	LSU
191	Denver Broncos	Jeb Putzier	Tight End	Boise State
192	Washington Redskins	Reggie Coleman	Tackle	Tennessee
193	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	John Stamper	Defensive End	South Carolina
194	Seattle Seahawks	Craig Jarrett	Punter	Michigan State
195	Baltimore Ravens	Lamont Brightful	Cornerback	Eastern Washington
196	New Orleans Saints	John Gilmore	Tight End	Penn State
197	Oakland Raiders	Larry Ned	Running Back	San Diego State
198	Philadelphia Eagles	Tyreo Harrison	Linebacker	Notre Dame
199	Chicago Bears	Adrian Peterson	Running Back	Georgia Southern

7th Round

224	New Orleans Saints	Derrius Monroe	Defensive End	Virginia Tech
225	Tennessee Titans	Darrell Hill	Wide Receiver	Northern Illinois
226	New York Giants	Daryl Jones	Wide Receiver	Miami (FL)
227	Cleveland Browns	Joaquin Gonzalez	Tackle	Miami (FL)

242	Pittsburgh Steelers	Brett Keisel	Defensive End	Brigham Young

Undrafted Notables

Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Ryan Nece	Linebacker	UCLA
Baltimore Ravens	Will Demps	Free Safety	San Diego State
New York Jets	Brandon Moore	Guard	Illinois
San Francisco 49ers	Antonio Chatman	Wide Receiver	Cincinnati
Baltimore Ravens	Bart Scott	Linebacker	Southern Illinois
Jacksonville Jaguars	Quinn Gray	Quarterback	Florida A&M
Pittsburgh Steelers	James Harrison	Linebacker	Kent State
New Orleans Saints	Jeff Reed	Kicker	North Carolina
Seattle Seahawks	D. D. Lewis	Linebacker	University of Texas
Baltimore Ravens	Ma'ake Kemoeatu	Defensive Tackle	Utah
Minnesota Vikings	Shaun Hill	Quarterback	Maryland
New York Giants	Ryan Clark	Safety	Louisiana State University

My Thoughts

One word: Eeesh! Looking back nine years later, this draft wasn't very friendly to the Saints in terms of long term players (Although they did eventually get the No. 14 overall pick years later). So, I guess the Saints could have done worse.

But they definitely could have done better. First, they could have taken Ed Reed if they had traded down or wanted to take him before he was supposed to go (I realize at the time, the Saints front offive would have been skewered). In the 5th round, the Saints could have grabbed Aaron Kampman, who has been a good DE for the Jaguars.

In my opinion, this draft grade is a high D or a low C. The Saints got a starter or two, but could have done better.

So, what would you guys have done differently in this draft? Would you have grabbed someone else with the No. 13 pick? How would you grade this draft?

Poll

How would you grade the Saints 2002 draft?

A

2 votes

B

9 votes

C

28 votes

D

21 votes

F

11 votes

71 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Stallworth wasn't a terrible pick

He had a great rookie season and then only showed flashes as he was hampered by injuries. Hindsight, we definitely should’ve drafted Ed Reed considering the problems our secondary would face down the road. Dwight Smith, Tebucky Jones, Josh Bullocks, and Kevin Kaesviharn were terrible. Lecharles Bentley was great while he was here, which wasn’t long enough, and I think he would agree with that statement.

Peyton, I can eat Oreos faster than you!!!!

by mknkachow on Mar 25, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

Forget about needs of the time and just choose the player with the most talent.

Don’t tell me what to do.

They had Sammy Knight, Boo Williams, Norman Hand and Grady Jackson at the time. Those other positions were far from needs. This was Mickey Loomis’s first draft as a GM and arguably his best, imo.

Stallworth. Great pick and an absolute need at the time. Made an immediate impact, before being underutilized for a couple of seasons. Why is Javon Walker even highlighted?

Grant. An exceptional player early on, as well. Grant, Stallworth and J. Brown were the only three bright spots of the 2005 season. Wouldn’t change a thing there. I’d still take Grant over Will Smith in their respective heydays. Lito Sheppard? GAAAAAAH!

Bentley. Another great pick. Two time Pro Bowler who eventually got fed up with management and wanted to play for his hometown team. Can’t say I blame him.

Allen. Nothing to write home about, though he did win the season opener for us that year, when he intercepted Tom Tupa’s desperation heave in OT. That alone puts him above most wasted Saints’ LB picks in this range.

Craver. Exceptional corner and return man. Couldn’t keep off the drugs. Probably should have heeded the reg flags coming out, but I still think he was worth the gamble.

Mitchell. Still on the team as of last year. Solid special teamer throughout his career.

J.T. O’Sullivan. Started a few games for the 49ers later in his career. Truly no better or worse a backup than Delhomme was. The scouting dept discovered this guy the year prior, while scouting Onome Ojo at Cal-Davis. AP2 would have been nice on special teams, but we were inexplicably indepted to a 34 yr old McAfee at the time.

Monroe. Succeeded by John Quincy Adams. Tell you what, give me Scott or Harrison here. Clark or Demps would be great value, also.

Overall, I’ll give this class a B- overall. C for what they accomplished as Saints in hindsight.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 25, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Mitchell. Still on the team as of last year. Solid special teamer throughout his career.

D’oh! I was thinking of Marvin Mitchell. Ok, drop the my overall grade down to a C+. Three solid picks up front, followed by a bunch of meh.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 25, 2011 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Gave it a C based on Grant and Bentley. Both those picks I thought were outstanding. Stallworth good have been quite good if he ever stayed healthy. The rest…as you said…a big bowl of “meh”.

"Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not 'every man for himself.' And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked 'em up."

by jeff.l.b on Mar 25, 2011 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Why is Javon Walker even highlighted?

I think the highlighted sections were Pro Bowlers at least once..

by GRlZZ on Mar 25, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

actually

that picture is from the PBA Chris Paul Celebrity Bowling Invitational…and i found this picture also…i guess thats as close to a pro bowler as reggie gets huh?

by GRlZZ on Mar 25, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Lil wang is a pro bowler?

"My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them."-Winston Churchill

by cscmember on Mar 25, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Lil Wang?

Is that Grandmaster Wang’s son?

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Mar 25, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

by GRlZZ on Mar 25, 2011 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

touche

by cscmember on Mar 25, 2011 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

as he was hampered ~~by injuries~~ terrible attitude. FIFY

Americans don’t have to wait as long as Canadians for hip replacements, which in Canada are paid for by the government, while in America they’re mainly paid for by … Medicare. -Krugman

by stujo4 on Mar 25, 2011 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions

anti-rec

Why is Lito Sheppard highlighted and Charles Grant is not? Lito Sheppard is out of the NFL. Charles Grant still has a chance to get back in. Well, a better chance than Lito has anyway. Lito GAAAA!!!!

Americans don’t have to wait as long as Canadians for hip replacements, which in Canada are paid for by the government, while in America they’re mainly paid for by … Medicare. -Krugman

by stujo4 on Mar 25, 2011 7:47 PM CDT reply actions