Credit Saints decision makers GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton for crafting one of the best trades of Day One in order to secure coveted USC DT Sedrick Ellis. New Orleans moved up from the 10th pick to No. 7 in a swap with the Patriots after it was unable to finalize a deal with the Raiders and Chiefs that would have allowed them to take LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. Ellis gives the club a cornerstone run stuffer in the middle, which it severely lacked in past seasons. The 6-0½ , 309-pounder should be comfortable with first-year Saints DL coach Ed Orgeron, who helped recruit Ellis to USC. New Orleans addressed its other most pressing need in the second round, selecting Indiana CB Tracy Porter. The secondary was consistently burnt on deep passes last season and Porter is expected to stop that from becoming a trend with his good man-coverage skills. DT DeMario Pressley has been labeled as too inconsistent, but he shows flashes that he could be a very good pro with tough coaching and an improved work ethic. Few rookie offensive linemen have more upside than Nebraska OT Carl Nicks. He can play guard or tackle but will need time to mature. Wisconsin’s Taylor Mehlhaff was the first placekicker selected and could make the team as a kickoff specialist while Martin Gramatica handles field-goal duties. Mehlhaff has good range but questionable mechanics. The Saints traded back into the seventh round to nab Michigan WR Adrian Arrington, who has some character concerns but has a chance to contribute as a possession receiver.
