Many of you were calling for the Saints to take Ingram at #24, and while that didn’t happen – he ended up with the Saints anyway. The price was steep – a 2nd round this year and a 1st round pick in 2012. Still, the Saints have landed the best running back in the NFL draft and a former Heisman Trophy winner. The guy knows how to find the endzone: 46 touchdowns in just 3 years with Alabama. While his health is a question mark, the Saints have the luxury of a deep crew with Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, Reggie Bush and now Ingram. All of them have injury history, but all of them have the potential to be scary good when healthy. All in all I think the first round has to be a grand slam for the Saints, considering they walked away with two players at picks 24 and 28 that most experts had listed as top 20 prospects.
Here is Mark Ingram’s write up on NFL.com:
Overview: “Ingram projects as an every-down back who can make an impact on the ground and in the passing game. One of the most polished running back prospects in recent memory. Has rare natural running sense in terms of vision and patience. Great short area speed and burst to hit the hole, make defenders miss, and get to the perimeter. Runs low, breaks tackles, and usually falls forward. Dangerous receiver in the screen game and as a check down. Shows good effort and awareness in pass protection. Has not been asked to shoulder the entire load to this point, but Ingram’s still a first-round prospect.”
Strengths: “Ingram possesses a great build and good top-end speed. Highly-competitive runner. Seldom goes down on first contact. Displays rare awareness, vision and patience. Waits for holes to develop, sets up his blockers, sees the cutback and explodes up field. Can make defenders miss in the hole and in space. Fast enough to get the corner. Contributes as a receiver and blocker.”
Weaknesses: “Not many areas of weakness in his game. Dealt with minor injuries in college. Shared the load all three season at Alabama (only two games of 20+ carries as a junior). Is not an ideal pile-pusher in short yardage but usually finds a way to gain the first down or the goal line.”
My take? The Saints got the best back in the draft and he’s a complete player. He can block, run, catch – you name it. He’s also a high character player that fits the Sean Payton blueprint. The Saints hit a monster grand slam in this first round landing Ingram and Jordan. The team just got much better. I think this move was bold, and it was necessary. Can’t wait to see these guys on the field.
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