The case for the Saints to draft a quarterback

In the run up to Thursday night’s first round of the NFL Draft, it is interesting to look back on the scouting reports of teams on certain players from past years.

Like this one in 2001, as recounted recently by Sports Illustrated.

“Doesn’t have a strong arm,” said one scout of this quarterback prospect. “Not as strong as Cade McNown.”

“Competitive, productive, but has limitations,” weighed in one NFL general manager.

The quarterback they were opining about was one Drew Brees.

Brees, if you can recall, was the first pick, all right. In the second round.

In 2012, two quarterbacks who won Super Bowls were drafted #75 and #88. Russell Wilson of the Broncos was the latter, Nick Foles the former.

Among those selected in front of those two were Brandon Weeden and Brock Osweiler.

Ouch.

So, when you hear the pundits say the Saints should wait until 2023 to draft a quarterback, I say, “Says who?”

Many point to the fact that Bryce Young of Alabama and CJ Stroud of Ohio State will both be available. I ask what assets will it take to get up high enough to make that selection? Remember, right now, New Orleans don’t have a first round pick in 2023 after trading it to Philadelphia.

The Saints have been very quiet about their intentions, and they should be.

What does the following tell you?

The Saints signed Jameis Winston to a two year contract after they were relentless in their pursuit of Deshaun Watson.

By acquiring a second first round pick, the Saints are in position to draft a quarterback or possibly move up on the draft board higher to get one.

Without a high level of quarterback play, there’s a limit as to how far a team can go. The Saints were a prime example last season with a quality, talented young roster but playing four quarterbacks. The result was a 9-8 record.

After Winston went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Saints lost five straight games against the meat of the schedule.

Making the right decision at quarterback is a franchise-making decision.

At last week’s Zurich Classic Pro Am, after Sean Payton speculated that the Saints were acquiring two first round picks to move up again, he was reminded by a reporter how different his life would be have been if he had drafted a quarterback in 2006 and not signed Brees, a free agent coming off major shoulder surgery.

It was a decision that changed a franchise and the financial fortunes of many.

That many scouts and so-called talent evaluators think this is a weak draft and specifically a weak quarterback class tells me one thing.

It is time to draft a quarterback.

Either Thursday or Friday, the Saints, who have done an excellent job of drafting, will have another chance to prove they are smarter than most by drafting a signal caller high.