Draft Analysis: New Orleans Saints
Posted: Sunday June 07, 1998 10:17 PM
Kyle
Turley 1st round, 7th overall
Tackle, San Diego
State
Comments: Tough, hard-nosed worker who will be
opening day starter at right tackle. Of all the top tackles in the draft,
he is the guy who will be the most ready. He's a technically sound
blocker... plays with a mean streak at times, which Mike Ditka will
love. Cameron
Cleeland 2nd round, 40th overall
Tight end,
Washington
Comments: One of the few complete tight end
prospects in this year's draft class. Lost free-agent tight end Irv Smith, so Cleeland will
have to make his presence felt immediately. Fred
Weary 4th round, 97th overall
Cornerback, Florida
Comments: Doesn't have a lot of size and was known as an
overachiever in college. Has an excellent nose for the football though.
Throughout college, he made big plays in big games. Julian
Pittman 4th round, 99th overall
Defensive end,
Florida State
Comments: Has a lot of athletic ability, but
needs to refine his PR skills. Good upfield charge, but needs to work on
adding some counter moves. A little raw right now and not be ready to start
at left end. Wilmont
Perry 5th round, 132nd overall
Running back,
Livingstone
Comments: Big fullback type who is a good
runner between the tackles. He did it at small-school level, but still has
a lot to learn. Will be short-yardage runner and contributor on
special-teams units. Chris
Bordano 6th round, 161st overall
Linebacker,
Southern Methodist
Comments: Very productive middle
linebacker ... used primarily vs. run ... physical and explosive ... had
great spring workouts and impressed with athletic abilities and speed,
although he is not natural in pass coverage and may be a little straight
line ... should be excellent on special teams and initial run defender ...
will need to improve in pass defense. Andy
McCullough 7th round, 204th overall
Receiver,
Tennessee
Comments: Not much flash or production in
college and a little bit of a strange pick ... doesn't seem like much of an
upgrade but he does have size and some athletic ability ... has some deep
speed but not very quick and will have trouble separating on NFL level ...
will struggle to make this roster unless he can develop into deep
threat. Ron Warner 7th round, 239th overall
Linebacker, Kansas
Comments: Athletic play-making
linebacker who may have dropped in the draft because of some medical
concerns. If he's 100 percent, he will contribute to an average linebacking
corps. Better skills than 7th-round pick.
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