Many might laugh and brush aside the notion of using a draft pick on a kicker. After all, what’s the point right? The greatest needs lie on defense, but I’d quickly challenge your thought process.
For starters, here’s the kicking carousel the Saints have gone through under Sean Payton’s tenure:
- 2006 – John Carney (42) / Billy Cundiff (26)
- 2007 – Martin Gramatica (32) / Olindo Mare (34)
- 2008 – Martin Gramatica (33) / Garrett Hartley (22) / Taylor Mehlhaff (23)
- 2009 – John Carney (45) / Garrett Hartley (23)
- 2010 – John Carney (46) / Garrett Hartley (24)
- 2011 – John Kasay (42)
- 2012 – Garrett Hartley (26)
- 2013 – Garrett Hartley (27) / Shayne Graham (36)
- 2014 – Shayne Graham (37)
- 2015 – Zach Hocker (24) / Kai Forbath (28)
A total of 10 different kickers have come through the Saints organization on their active roster from 2006-2015, and that’s not counting the changes made when going back to players like John Carney and Garrett Hartley.