With the fifty-sixth pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, number5 selects...
Ryan Williams - RB, Virginia Tech
I really struggled with this pick. The Saints have some issues on both sides of the ball. On defense, their linebacker crew needs some fresh blood. Last season, Scott Shanle and Danny Clark started. Throughout the season, the Saints suffered several injuries to the LB corps and in the playoffs, Marshawn Lynch put that defense to shame. They need run stuffing, hard hitting, pass rushing linebackers to complement Gregg Williams defense.Therefore, Bruce Carter made a lot of sense.
However, running back needs to be improved badly. Pierre Thomas is good, yet he struggled to stay healthy and you need two running backs now. Most of all, Reggie Bush may be a good receiving threat and special teams player, but the Saints were expecting more than that from Bush, so its safe to say that he's a bust. But here is the biggest reason why I chose RB: Last season, Brees and the Saints struggled offensively to find a rhythm and to sustain drives.
More after the jump...
Their Superbowl season, the Saints ranked 6th in rushing with 4.5 avg, 2,106 yards, and 21 TD's. This season? 28th ranked in rushing with 4.0 avg, 1, 519 yards, and 9 TD's. This effected their offense tremendously, forcing Brees to take more chances. In 2009 with a great rushing attack, he had a TD:INT ratio of 34:11. This year? 33:22. That production cost them points and turnovers.
Ryan Williams is a physical runner with a good frame. He doesn't fumble the ball and has a great burst that shows on film. He gives a great effort and keeps his legs pumping. Williams produced in 2009 with 1,655 yards and 21 TDs. However, injuries limited production in 2010 with 110 attempts, 477 yards, but still 9 TDs. He has to work on pass protection, but Williams is a great receiver and pass protector. This wouldn't be so tough if the Saints selected Chad Greenway in 2006 rather than Bush. Now, Lil Wayne can be a Saints fan, Yay!
Next on the clock will be KeepSwinging with the Seattle Seahawks.
Previous Picks: 1 - Nick Fairley 2 - Patrick Peterson 3 - Blaine Gabbert 4 - Cam Newton 5 - Von Miller 6 - Marcell Dareus 7 - Prince Amukamara 8 - A.J. Green 9 - Da'Quan Bowers 10 - Corey Liuget 11 - Robert Quinn 12 - Julio Jones 13 - Tyron Smith 14 - Jimmy Smith 15 - Mark Ingram 16 - Cameron Jordan 17 - Ryan Kerrigan 18 - Anthony Castonzo 19 - Mike Pouncey 20 - Adrian Clayborn 21 - Phil Taylor 22- Stephen Paea 23 - Brandon Harris 24 - Aldon Smith 25 - Gabe Carimi 26 - Torrey Smith 27 - Justin Houston 28- J.J. Watt 29 - Nate Solder 30 - Akeem Ayers 31- Derek Sherrod 32 - Cameron Heyward 33- Muhammad Wilkerson 34 - Allen Bailey 35 - Jabaal Sheard 36 - Marvin Austin 37 - Jonathan Baldwin 38 - Jake Locker 39 - Colin Kaepernick 40 - James Carpenter 41 - Christian Ponder 42 - Aaron Williams 43 - Ryan Mallett 44 - Rahim Moore 45 - Leonard Hankerson 46 - Kyle Rudolph 47 - Mikel Leshoure 48 - Stefen Wisniewski 49 - Andy Dalton 50 - Brooks Reed 51 - Ras-I Dowling 52 - Mason Foster 53 - James Brewer 54- Clint Boling 55 - Benjamin Ijalana