Saints Pick OL Tavon Rooks With Their Final Pick of NFL Draft

Kansas State OL Tavon Rooks probably would have went a lot higher in the draft if it weren't for an injury in this year's Fiesta Bowl, so the Saints took a flier on him with their final pick of the draft.

Rooks had to watch 201 other players get selected before learning his destination, but it was worth the wait for the big man, who gets to join an offense engineered by Sean Payton and Drew Brees. He spent the last two years starting at tackle for the Wildcats, but several scouts believe he could shift to the guard position in the NFL. Payton loves versatility.

He's an athletic build at 6'4" and 276 lbs, which he uses with great leverage, and excels in pass protection. He's adjusted his game from the junior college ranks and fit into Big 12 play, now he'll have to beef up a bit and deal with NFL defenses.

If his injury issue in the Fiesta Bowl proves to just be a minor ding to a durable NFL body, then this pick could provide solid worth down the road for the Saints. Depth is always needed on both sides of the line.

Here's some food for thought. Tom Brady, Terrell Davis and Matt Birk made it to the Pro-Bowl all the way from the sixth round. Why couldn't Rooks?