I first considered DT when SR posted his mock draft (2.0 I think) with Sheldon Rankins as the pick.Right away, I hated it.We need a DE, we need a S and a CB and a RT... Etc.But DT?We have a stud in Gerald McCoy (side note: watching the 2010 draft, currently on NFL Net, we nailed that pick, couldn't be any happier with having the best all around DT in football).We also have Clinton McDonald (a team captain), and Akeem Spence who personally I feel would start on over 20 rosters right now.Yes, injuries have been a concern with all three, and Spence is in a contract year, but you'd still think we are better served with using a 3rd or 4th round selection on DT, especially in such a loaded class in that position.I had to ask myself.. Are we better off with Mike Evans than we would have been with Aaron Donald?I am in no way bashing Evans, I'm happy he's on the roster, but I feel like our defense would be entirely different with Donald lining up beside McCoy.I am also not saying that Rankins or Nkemdiche can be Aaron Donald caliber, but let me pose this question next..What was the one thing that a few defenses did that Jameis really seemed to struggle with? Collapsing the pocket..Winston's least impressive games last year came against Carolina (Lotulelei/Short), Los Angeles (Donald/Brockers), and Houston (entire DL).In those games the pocket broke down because the opposition had dual threats inside. Good QBs like Winston, Brady, Rogers, Manning.. Love to stand in the pocket and find their guy. When the pocket collapses and they are forced to scramble they are required to rely on athleticism and instinct to keep the play alive or at least avoid the sack.When was the last time we had a DL that could collapse the pocket? When we won the Super Bowl?I do really like VH3 and would hate to see him in a Saints uniform, but the best thing we can do barring a trade down is take a DT, either Rankins or possibly Nkemdiche if he's not off our board. The DT we select should make an impact early and above all, will help out Gerald McCoy tremendously.Beyond that, the smartest thing we can do in round 2 is take C Ryan Kelly if he is still on the board. Games are won in the trenches. The trenches are won in the interior.
