Saints Take Cal Defensive End Jordan With 1st Round Pick
BERKELEY (CBS/AP) - The New Orleans Saints have selected California defensive end Cameron Jordan with the 24th pick in the NFL draft, looking to bolster a lackluster pass rush.
Jordan, son of former Pro Bowl player Steve Jordan, had 62 tackles, 12.5 stops for loss and 5.5 sacks while forcing three fumbles as a senior. He was a first-team Pac-10 selection last year.
New Orleans finished tied for 18th in the NFL in sacks last season and did not get consistent pressure from starting ends Will Smith (5.5 sacks) and Alex Brown (two sacks). After winning the Super Bowl, the Saints went 11-5 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Seattle.
New Orleans passed on Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, who led the nation with 15.5 sacks, and Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner.
(Copyright 2011 by CBSSan Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
