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You wanted it, you got it!
With the 40th pick in the 2008 SB Nation Mock Draft, I selected LB Jared Mayo for the Saint's. You can check out the selection at Mocking the Draft.
Here is his scouting report from New Era.
Here is what you guys had to say...
Of these left, obviously Mayo is the best fit for the Saints, he's got an enormous upside that could leave a bunch of teams wondering why they passed on him in the first round. - BleedingGold
I will agree that Mayo is certainly a good player. The issue I have with him is that he is best suited for middle/inside linebacker, which is the position Vilma will fill, as it is Vilma's natural and best position. The question becomes than is if mayo could work as an outside linebacker, which the saints could definitely use. - nola12
I think all of you agree this was the way to go. With Balmer off the board, this was a no brainer. The only other options would have been LB Shawn Grable, DT Pat Sims or a TE in Fred Davis or Dustin Keller. With our horrible defense, I think we really need to use our first two picks to address that and the second round is just too early to think about offense. That leaves the decision between Grable, Sims and Mayo. Mayo is just a better player at his position and a better value.
And if that doesn't do it for ya, maybe this will...
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
I was so happy to see Mayo get drafted, I almost forgot that New Orleans signed Jonathan Vilma. I really like Mayo, but I like him as an inside linebacker. He did play outside 'backer for a while at Tennessee, so he has the tools to do it. This move is good because it adds talent to a defense that has little in the back seven. Mayo may not be an All Pro outside linebacker, but he won't miss tackles or blow assignments. This is also amazing value for the Saints. I'm still giving it an A!
I printed that out and gave it to my mother so she could put it up on the refrigerator.
It should also be encouraging news for those of you who are worried about Mayo being able to make that transition to the outside.
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