A Top 10 running back pick sparks debate. Can Jeremiyah Love's explosive talent truly revitalize the Saints' struggling ground game?
Playmakers make plays. Draft the best player available.
The above sentiment is one that some endorse when it comes to drafting players. Simply draft good players regardless of position, some suggest. Yet that goes in stark contrast to the other side of the debate.
Some suggest positional value matters. One of the more controversial positions to draft, or one that some view as less valuable is running back. Even so, one mock draft has the Saints taking a ball carrier in the Top 10 picks.
Daniel Flick of "Sports Illustrated" has the team taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 8 pick. He wrote the following of the pick.
"New Orleans has bigger needs than running back, starting on the interior offensive line, but aside from Mauigoa, this class lacks a guard or center worthy of a top-10 pick. The Saints could also opt for a receiver, but after finishing fifth-worst in rushing this season, they'd benefit from adding Love, the draft's best offensive player. Love is explosive, has tremendous contact balance and is a legitimate threat as a receiver."
While running back is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking over the Saints' deficiencies, Flick makes a compelling case for the pick noting they had the fifth worst rushing attack in the league. Certainly, adding an impact running back could aid that rushing attack. Even so, it's a different school of thought than some maintain.
To help a young quarterback like Shough, adding a running back could take pressure away from the signal caller and allow the Saints to lean on the running game. Yet there are other factors to consider when drafting a ball carrier.
Some would suggest that the Saints lack the offensive line for a running back to move the needle. While Kelvin Banks Jr. has done well at left tackle there is uncertainty as to whether or not the offensive line is up to par for a move of that nature to make a difference.
On top of needing more help at offensive line, the Saints are in need of a second impact receiver to add to Chris Olave to threaten a defense in the passing game. One would imagine New Orleans would go for one of those positions to help the roster before running back. In addition, the team could have needs at cornerback and defensive line given what they lack or could lose in the near future.
While debatable, the pick to bring in Love has high upside. We'll see where the Saints are leaning as we get closer to the draft in April.