And then the Saints hit the sleeper pick in David Onyemata from Manitoba College in Canada.
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Last year, the Nigerian-born Onyemata was named the top down lineman in Canadian university football.
Grantham also helped with the selection of nose tackle John Jenkins in the third round of the 2013 draft from when Grantham coached him at Georgia. He turned in 33 bench press reps, a 5.09 second 40-yard dash, and 10 foot broad jump at Pro Day on March 14. I don’t like the fact that the Saints didn’t draft a player high at that position, but it really speaks to the fact that you ultimately drafted a guard last season with the 13th overall pick in Andrus Peat.
The Saints are not afraid to gamble, clearly, and Sean Payton and Co. just took another dice roll on a raw talent.
Every single player the Saints have picked – DT Sheldon Rankins, Thomas and Bell – all have the potential to become stars someday in the NFL. “You still have to study for something and work hard”.
Onyemata was invited to the East-West Shrine Game, and clearly made an impression.
Thomas, a nephew of former National Football League receiver Keyshawn Johnson, struggled in his first season at Ohio State in 2013, but blossomed in his second season, when he caught 54 passes for 799 yards and nine TDs. Idonije, also a native of Lagos, Nigeria, grew up in Brandon, Man., and signed with Cleveland as a free agent in 2003. Israel Idonije, who had a nice career in the NFL.
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Based on Thomas’ general standing among receivers in this year’s class and the glaring need so many teams have for reliable pass-catchers, it would be somewhat of a shock to see Day 2 come and go without his name being called. “I think he is best suited to play [defensive end] in a [3-4 defense] but can be productive in that role or as a [4-3 defensive tackle]”. “We’re going to do our best to get our five best offensive linemen on the field”.
