New Orleans Saints’ 2008 Draft Class

From NFL.com:

Round 1, Pick 7 (7) (From 49ers through Patriots)
Sedrick Ellis DT 6’1″ 305 Southern Cal
Pick Analysis:The Saints traded up to boost the interior of their front four. Ellis will be counted on to clog up the line of scrimmage and be a disruptive force in the backfield. His best traits are exceptional strength and great instincts.

Round 2, Pick 9 (40)
Tracy Porter CB 5’11” 185 Indiana
Pick Analysis:The Saints continue to address their defense, as Porter projects as a third corner. He was productive at Indiana, but like many corners, is not known as a good tackler.

Round 5, Pick 9 (144) (From Lions)
DeMario Pressley DT 6’3″ 301 North Carolina State
Pick Analysis:The latest in a recent tradition of North Carolina State defensive ends like former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams and former first-round pick Manny Lawson. Pressley has great athleticism, speed and quickness for his size. He is an explosive player off the ball with good upside.

Round 5, Pick 29 (164) (From Patriots)
Carl Nicks OT 6’5″ 341 Nebraska
Pick Analysis:Nicks hasn’t played enough college football to expect great things from him early in his career. He does have bulk and can move better than expected at his weight. There are some concerns that he will battle weight issues throughout his career, but he can block a linebacker in space. This is a boom-or-bust pick.

Round 6, Pick 12 (178)
Taylor Mehlhaff K 5’10” 185 Wisconsin
Pick Analysis:Mehlhaff is a left-footed kicker with good accuracy. Good, not great, leg strength. He’s more of a 45-yard and in kicker, but demonstrated great accuracy while kicking in a tough place at Wisconsin.

Round 7, Pick 30 (237) (From Packers)
Adrian Arrington WR 6’3″ 203 Michigan
Pick Analysis:Some thought Arrington was a very good player that was overshadowed by Manningham at Michigan. He has good hands and caught a lot of passes. He lacks breakaway speed, but is a good possession receiver. A hamstring injury that prevented him from working out at the combine hurt his stock.

Saints’ 2008 Schedule

2008 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE 

(All times CENTRAL)

Sunday, Sept. 7
Tampa Bay
Noon

Sunday, Sept. 14 
at Washington
Noon

Sunday, Sept. 21 
at Denver
3:05 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 28
San Francisco
Noon 
 
Monday, Oct. 6 
Minnesota
7:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Oct. 12 
Oakland 
Noon 

Sunday, Oct. 19 
at Carolina 
Noon 

Sunday, Oct. 26 
San Diego (in London)
Noon 
 
Sunday, Nov. 2
BYE
 
Sunday, Nov. 9
at Atlanta 
Noon 
 
Sunday, Nov. 16
at Kansas City 
Noon 
 
Monday, Nov. 24 
Green Bay
7:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, Nov. 30 
at Tampa Bay 
Noon

Sunday, Dec. 7 
Atlanta 
Noon 

Thurs., Dec. 11 
at Chicago
7:15 p.m

Sunday, Dec. 21
at Detroit
Noon
 
Sunday, Dec. 28 
Carolina 
Noon 

*Times of the games in weeks 11-17 of the NFL Schedule (Nov. 16-Dec. 28) are subject to change due to NFL Flex Scheduling.