Culpepper traded!!! Brees signs with New Orleans!!!

Dr. Giganto · 03-14-2006, 04:38 PM

Big NFL news here...

The Vikings traded Daunte Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins for a second-round draft pick. And, Drew Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints. This is big for a few reasons:

1. It makes Miami, a team on the cusp of a playoff spot last year, much better

2. It makes Minnesota, a team on the cusp of a playoff spot last year, much worse

3. The Saints will probably trade down since they don't need a QB, meaning some team (perhaps the Jets or Titans) will trade up to take Matt Leinart.

Freak · 03-14-2006, 09:02 PM

I'm happy to see Minnesota lose Culpepper, and I'm happy they won't replace him with Brees, but the Saints signing Brees makes me worry that they'll stay at #2 and draft DE Mario Williams. As a Packers fan, I want him so, so, so bad.

The Saints just lost Darren Howard, but two of their most recent first-rounders were also DEs (Charles Grant, Will Smith), so I'm hoping they skip on to D'Brickashaw Ferguson or Hawk or someone. A trade-down might be nice, as long as it isn't someone trying to leapfrog GB for Mario.

Dr. Giganto · 03-14-2006, 09:48 PM

Well, what I've heard is that the Jets are likely to offer the 4th overall pick and John Abraham to N.O. for the 2nd pick, in order to take Leinart.

Then, at the 4 spot (one ahead of GB), New Orleans would take either Ferguson or Williams.

Freak, I'm not that familiar with the current make-up of the Packers roster...do they need a DE? They still have KGB, right?

Are there any other positions where they have a glaring hole?

Freak · 03-15-2006, 12:12 AM

An all-pro DE (which Williams could easily be) is EXACTLY what the Packers defense needs. KGB can pass-rush, but he's a major liability on 1st and 2nd downs. They also just resigned Aaron Kampman, and he's a good high-motor guy who can play all downs, but he's no game-changer. Mario Williams has the size and athleticism to be as good as Julius Peppers, both against the run and pass. He's also only 21.

If he's not there, yeah there are other holes to fill-- I'd still be happy with AJ Hawk at outside (or even middle) linebacker, and any sort of skilled DB would be welcome (though none at #5). Hell, if Leinart or Young falls to #5, why not? The O-line needs a lot of work too, though Ferguson is the only guy worth it at #5 and Tauscher/Clifton are still good OTs.

If the Saints traded down and got Abraham, I can't see why they'd take Mario Williams... it would give them four 1st-round DEs, when they badly need a LT like D'Brickashaw.

I love the draft.