Saints Need to Look at Louisiana Talent in the Draft

Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates with teammates following an interception against the Eastern Michigan Eagles during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Eastern Michigan 44-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

For years now I’ve heard the cry of many LSU fans about how the New Orleans Saints never draft any players from Tiger Land.

The last one in recent memory was defensive tackle Al Woods, whom the Saints traded up to get in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Woods however would not last and was released in September of that year after a lackluster preseason, and has been on four different teams since then.

While LSU remains the go-to institution for NFL teams to pull from during the draft, the Saints appear to askew them and go other sometimes strange, unconventional routes.

Of course seeing the lack of picks the Saints have had in the years past, I guess they felt that being unconventional was the best way to go or really the only way to go.

Oct 11, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane fans cheer for their team against the Connecticut Huskies in the third quarter at Yulman Stadium. Tulane defeated Connecticut 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Several other schools within Louisiana also seem to get the cold shoulder when it comes to draft day such as Tulane, Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana Tech.

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Yes the Saints have signed players from places such as these as undrafted free agents or invite them to tryouts for rookie camp, but haven’t selected one during the draft itself.

One that the Saints actually had a shot at guaranteed in 2014 was Tulane kicker Cairo Santos — who even said that kicking for them would be “ideal” and truly wanted to play for them.

But the Saints failed to draft or sign him as an undrafted free agent, which led Santos to be snatched up by the Kansas City Chiefs; where he has thrived, leaving the Saints front office to “kicking” themselves in the rear end instead (pun intended).

With the Saints in need of help in many areas, especially on defense; they are looking at just about any new prospects that can help and there is no denying some talent that is present within their own backyard.

Starting with this talented home-grown hero……

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