The Saints dealt a 5th round pick this season and next season to Washington so they could get defensive lineman David Onyemata in the 4th round of this year’s NFL Draft. Onyemata played college ball in Canada at Manitoba, is six foot four inches tall and over 300 pounds. He also wowed a lot of scouts, coaches and league executives at the East/West Shrine Game. Sean Payton and the everyone in the Saints War Room obviously were some of those folks wowed by this Nigerian born physical specimen who is fairly new to the sport. His physical traits and game tape were enough for the New Orleans War Room to go on the attack and make a move up to make sure he landed on their roster as their pet project on the defensive line.
This move by the Saints seems innocent enough to me. They picked up Nick Fairley to give the defensive line some depth. They chose to replace Marques Colston in the 2nd round with Michael Thomas obviously feeling comfortable enough with the group of offensive linemen and pass rushers they have now. So when they trade a measly 5th round pick in 2017 for a project, no harm no foul right? Wrong! For some reason, Saints Twitter erupted with tears and anger and frustration when this move was made: “Not this again!” “Why!?” “Canada!?” “What are they thinking!?” You would’ve thought New Orleans just traded Drew Brees to Denver for a Kit Kat, or worse, drafted Paxton Lynch at 12.
I understand the Saints have moved up in the draft a lot in the past. It’s a strategy they employ often and often their drafts haven’t panned out. This was a 5th round pick in next year’s draft given up though. It’s not like the future of the franchise is being mortgaged on this unknown big hoss from Canada. It was a 5th round pick! The Von Bell trade was even lower risk!
I think Saints fans secretly wanted New Orleans to draft Paxton Lynch at 12 just so they had an excuse to whine and complain about the draft. It’s so fun to do! Sheldon Rankins was such a safe and smart pick you needed to unleash the beast. In case you haven’t noticed though, the Saints draft War Room is generally aggressive in nature, like Drew Brees in contract negotiations. Quality over quantity is the Saints’ philosophy. Deal with it.
