April 12, 2008

2003
1. DT Johnathan Sullivan (1-6)
2. OT Jonathan Stinchcomb (2-37)
3. LB Cie Grant (3-86)
4. OG Montrae Holland (4-102)
5. DE Melvin Williams (5-155)
6. WR Kareem Kelly (6-203)
7. WR Talman Gardner (7-231)

2004
1. DE Will Smith (1-18)
2. WR Devery Henderson (2-50)
3. LB Courtney Watson (2-60)
4. DT Rodney Leisle (5-139)
5. FB Mike Karney (5-156)
6. LB Colby Bockwoldt (7-240)

2005
1. OT Jammal Brown (1-13)
2. S Josh Bullocks (2-40)
3. LB Alfred Fincher (3-82)
4. WR Chase Lyman (4-118)
5. QB Adrian McPherson (5-152)
6. DT Jason Jefferson (6-193)
7. DE Jimmy Verdon (7-232)

2006
1. RB Reggie Bush (1-2)
2. S Roman Harper (2-43)
3. OG Jahri Evans (4-108)
4. DE Rob Ninkovich (5-135)
5. WR Mike Hass (6-171)
6. CB Josh Lay (6-174)
7. OT Zach Strief (7-210)
8. WR Marques Colston (7-252)

2007
1. WR Robert Meachem (1-27)
2. CB Usama Young (3-66)
3. OG Andy Alleman (3-88)
4. RB Antonio Pittman (4-107)
5. OT Jermon Bushrod (4-125)
6. CB David Jones (5-145)
7. ILB Marvin Mitchell (7-220)

Still on roster during '07 season*: 17
Starters*: 8
Pro Bowlers: 2

Rather than swing and miss on cornerback prospects, the Saints have just about ignored the position altogether on Day One of the draft. From 2003-06, New Orleans selected just one cornerback, and it came in the sixth round when Josh Lay, who is no longer with the team, was chosen. The Saints’ neglect has left them desperate for help at corner, and they may have to spend heavily on free agents in order to shore up a glaring weakness. New Orleans’ strength has been identifying budding pros on both sides of the line. The squad snagged two players who would go on to make the Pro Bowl when DE Will Smith and OLT Jammal Brown were picked in consecutive years.

* — See Three- and five-year draft history for criteria in determining this number.

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