Round 3: Akiem Hicks, DT, University of Regina

Hicks is a “raw” prospect whom the Saints admit will face a learning curve as he transitions from Canada to the NFL. But he’s an exciting prospect with a high ceiling. And he fills one of the team¹s biggest long-term and short-term needs. The Saints need more young, dynamic athletes to become more disruptive up front.

Hicks is an athletic tackle who could be used as a pass rusher in situations. He was a highly-touted prospect who was recruited by LSU out of junior college but was ruled ineligible because of recruiting violations. The Saints said there are no character concerns, though, and they actually admire how hard he worked to get his career back on track.

It’s hard to expect too much from Hicks right away. The Saints are set with veteran starters Sedrick Ellis and Brodrick Bunkley, and they also have an experienced backup in Tom Johnson. But they’ll do a lot of rotating, so Hicks could work himself into the mix, just like former Canadian-football transplant Johnson did last year, if he shows early promise. Hicks projects to be a third-down, pass-rusher type at first, with the potential to develop into an every-down player.

ROUND 4: NICK TOON, WR, Wisconsin

The Saints are deep at wide receiver, even after losing Robert Meachem in free agency. But Toon gives them a young player who can compete with Adrian Arrington for the fourth receiver spot and possibly develop into a bigger role down the road. Toon is a bigger receiver (6-2, 215) with good hands. Saints coach Joe Vitt compared him physically to Marques Colston. Another favorable comparison for Toon? His father, Al Toon, a standout receiver for the Jets in the 1980s and ’90s.

ROUND 5: COREY WHITE, CB, Samford

Although many projected White as a safety, the Saints view him as a big corner (5-11, 206) who could compete for a job in nickel or dime packages. New Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he likes corners with length and press ability. White definitely has an opportunity in New Orleans, where the Saints are thin at corner after letting veterans Tracy Porter and Leigh Torrence get away in free agency.

ROUND 6: ANDREW TILLER, G, Syracuse

The Saints added some beef to the offensive line late in the draft, starting with this 6-4, 324-pounder. The Saints had a trusted scouting report on him, since their former offensive coordinator/line coach Doug Marrone is now the head coach at Syracuse. The only experienced backup guard on the Saints’ roster is Matt Tennant, who plays guard and center. So there’s room for a developmental project.

ROUND 7: MARCEL JONES, OT, Nebraska

Yet another big body for the Saints, Jones is listed at 6-6, 320. He definitely has the physical tools to be an NFL talent, and he had a solid senior season after battling a back injury as a junior. The Saints have a good recent track record of developing late-round offensive tackles (Jermon Bushrod, fourth round, and Zach Strief, seventh).

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Saints have been hit hard with the suspensions as Jonathan Vilma has recieved a 1 year suspension.

The NFL’s investigation showed that Vilma, as captain of the defense, helped Greg Williams in funding the bounty program.

Anthony Hargrove has received 8 games, Will Smith gets 5 games and Scott Fujita gets a 3 game suspension.

The Skinny: The League is making a pure example of the Saints players on this one folks. With the League desperately trying to protect their image, its something they felt was needed.

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.

Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.

One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.

Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!

LAST UPDATED 4/20/12

____________________________________________________________________________________________

New Orleans Saints

Kellen Moore -QB from Boise State
Ladarius Green -TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrien Robinson – TE from Cincinnati
Darrion Weems – OT from Oregon
DeOn’Tae Pannell -G from Penn State
Rishaw Johnson- G from California
Donavan Robinson -DE from Jackson State
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
Jericho Nelson – S from Arkansas

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Saints Jonathan Vilma is reportedly bracing for 2 to 8 game suspension for his role in the Saints bounty scandal.

Vilma’s camp is unsure what the penalty might be at this moment, but with the severity of the penalties laid down from Goodell lately, it could be worse than the expected 2 to 8 games.

The Skinny: Since Vilma has been the only player publicly mentioned in the bounty, Goodell could make an example of him. Folks close to the situation believe Vilma could end up missing out half of the season, hence the Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne signings.

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Saints have their new interim head coach, as Joe Vitt the assistant head coach/linebackers will take over the head coaching duties in Sean Payton’s absence. Vitt we officially take over on April 16 which is the start of OTAs.

The Saints organization will follow the same procedures, when Sean Payton went through recovery from his knee injury last season. Saints also have a new defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo who also has head coaching experience, but he’s not as experienced with the Saints existing staff.

The Skinny: As it stands right now, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will run the show on offense and he will call the plays just like last season. When Vitt serves his 6 game suspension, offensive line coach Aaron Kromer will takeover in his absence. The Saints will look for all the players and coaching personnel to step it up a level in 2012. A team and city that had to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, will likely to be able to weather this storm.

Team Needs and Draft: Because the Saints traded up to get Ingram last April, they won’t have a first-round pick. That said, New Orleans has been weak at linebacker for some time now. Not awful, but linebacker is definitely not the strong point of this club. Getting help on the defensive line is a necessity, with both Aubrayo Franklin and big Shaun Rogers being free agents. The 2012 draft has plenty of prospects in this area. It’s a matter of who will be left when the Saints pick 59th.

2012 Draft Picks
2.27, 3.27, 4.27, 5.27, 6.7 (from WAS), 6.9 (from MIA), 7.27

Free Agent Signings
DT Brodrick Bunkley, LB David Hawthorne, LB Chris Chamberlain, LB Curtis Lofton

2011 Draft Picks
1st: Cameron Jordan (DE) California
1st: Mark Ingram (RB) Alabama

3rd: Martez Wilson (OLB) Illinois

3rd: Johnny Patrick (CB) Louisville

7th: Greg Romeus (DE) Pittsburgh
7th: Nathan Bussey (OLB) Illinois

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The New Orleans Saints have signed the ex Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne to a five year deal.

It looks like the Saints have made it a priority to strengthened their linebacking unit. Signing Curtis Lofton and now David Hawthorne gives the Saints a pair of solid run stoppers in the middle.

The Skinny: With the “Bounty” suspensions looming, the Saints might know whats coming in the form of suspensions. Which means a Jonathan Vilma suspension could be in the waiting. With the Saints having little cap space, they have done quite well for themselves. The Saints got the the leading tackler for the 2011 Seahawks & Falcons, in David Hawthortne and Curtis Lofton.

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Adam Schefter is reporting that the Bucs have inked a deal with Offensive Guard Carl Nicks. The deal is worth $47.5 million and is for five-years

Nicks will be guaranteed $31 million in this new deal, which makes him the highest paid guard in the league. With the signing of Nicks and Vincent Jackson, the Bucs have instantly added firepower to a offense in need. These key moves show that the Bucs organization is serious about surrounding their young QB Josh Freeman with talent.

The Skinny: Look for the Bucs to now focus on their running game next, whether through free agency or draft, the Bucs are not done beefing up this offense. Bringing in a second back to team up with Blount is a priority.

Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Saints and Wide receiver Marques Colston have inked a five-year deal worth around $40 million. Looks like Drew Brees gets to have his favorite target back in New Orleans.

The Skinny: Colston will get aorund $19 million in guaranteed dollars. With Colston being a big part of what the Saints do in the pass game, the Saints couldn’t afford to lose his talents and chemistry with Drew Brees.