Saints will add two rookie first-rounders this season
Assuming the Saints stay put at the No. 10 spot and don’t trade up or down, they will be making one selection in the first round. One rookie-fresh first-round player, however, will not be all New Orleans gets on its roster next season.Â
I’m talking, of course, about wide receiver Robert Meachem.Â
Plenty of people have already written Meachem off as a bust. I understand that point of view completely. If a guy is drafted in the first round, he should crack the lineup at least once in his rookie season, no questions asked (unless he’s a quarterback who’s purposely sitting a year to learn the NFL game).
In Meachem’s case, he didn’t even crack the active roster.Â
But I’m not ready to name Meachem the next Jonathan Sullivan. Not yet, at least. Sullivan, as I’m sure plenty of you Saints fans painfully recall, was a guy the Saints traded up for in the 2003 draft. He was the defensive tackle that was supposed to solve the Saints’ defensive woes. Of course, he didn’t. Instead, Sullivan ate himself out of the league and in the process set the Saints defense back at least five years.Â
If you don’t believe me, try this on for size. Here is a list of three guys the Saints could’ve drafted had they not moved all the way up to the No. 6 slot to pick Sullivan: Troy Polamalu, Marcus Trufant and Nnamdi Asomugha.
All three have made at least one Pro Bowl and Trufant and Polamalu have played in a Super Bowl.
Like I said before, I’m not prepared to say Meachem is the next Sullivan. It’s just way too early in his career to make that judgment. Sullivan toiled through at least two or three years of worthlessness before the Saints finally gave up on him.
Meachem should get a least a full season of play under his belt before we can decide whether he’s worth a damn or not.Â
Who knows? He could be a late bloomer. He could come in this season with a huge chip on his shoulder, (a Sullivan sized chip, perhaps?) wanting to prove to everyone that he is a first-round talent.Â
That task might be a tough one though. With Colston, Henderson, Patten, Copper and maybe Lance Moore firmly entrenched ahead of him in the rotation; he will have to really turn some heads in camp.
With the odds stacked against him though, I think Meachem will respond this season. I think he’ll do enough in camp to earn some playing time and when he gets it, he’s going to do something with it.Â
My prediction for what essentially will be Meachem’s rookie season: 35 catches, 400 yards and two touchdowns.Â
But if he doesn’t pan out like I’m hoping he will, at least the Saints will have another rookie-first rounder to get excited about.  Â
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7 Responses to “Saints will add two rookie first-rounders this season”
April 14th, 2008 at 7:27 am
[…] Cajun Up with the Saints | MVN - A New Orleans Saints blog » Blog Archive » Saints will add two rook… I’m talking, of course, about wide receiver Robert Meachem. Plenty of people have already […]
April 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Most of what separates productive players and busts is attitude. A guy like Sullivan, who didn’t seem to care and took too much for granted, is headed for trouble. Meachem seems to have a good attitude, wants to be good, and is willing to do the work.
In his first year, he seemed a little overwhelmed. Maybe spending time with David Patten will help bring it all back to earth for Meachem so he can focus on things like running routes, blocking, catching the ball, and not things like injuries, the NFL, and the expectations that people have for first round picks.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:22 am
To even put Meachem in the same sentence as Sullivan is completely unfair and insulting to the player. There’s a difference between a bust and a complete unknown. I agree with David about attitude and how it makes the difference. The only thing I’ve seen that worries me with Meachem is his shyness. He seems to lack confidence. Now this is based on only having seen 2 or 3 interviews, so I can’t really know this.
And really? A “late bloomer”? He’s about to enter his SECOND YEAR. I know it’s a “what have you done for me lately league”, but jesus…
If he was considered first round talent, Colston and Patten should be the only ones “firmly entrenched” ahead of him. He should have no problem beating out Henderson, Copper, Moore etc…
And you don’t “think” he’ll respond… you hope. You have nothing to go on here. How can you possibly make an informed opinion on what you “think” he will do?
April 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Faith & Confidence my fellow Saints fans. I was in total aw about the selection in last years draft about Meachem, but only time will tell if this was indeed a great pick or just another Saints wonder selection. I’m opportunistic that Meachem will prove all those doubters wrong. Go Black & Gold!!!!!!
April 14th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I agree, Meachem failed to fully prepare for the NFL and it cost him. He really thought he was the top WR in last years draft and thought he could mail it in..He found out the hard way it’s not like that. That said, I see him as humble and ready to show up this year. If his character is solid (and I think it is), we will hit the lottery with him this year!
April 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Meachem didn,t mail it in last year he was hurt and missing time in minicamp and having to rehab his knee cost him.He is not a bust yet.
April 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Defense, defense, defense. I like the addition of Jonathan Vilma, but more needs must be dealt with. Add a second cornerback or another rusher on the edge. Surely the defense is the area that must continue to get stronger.
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