ESPN.com put together a great package on the NFL's trend toward bigger cornerbacks and what might be available in the draft.

The New Orleans Saints are obviously among the teams following the league-wide trend, having added free agent corners Keenan Lewis and Champ Bailey over the past two years. And as I wrote earlier this week, I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see New Orleans keep adding to that depth in the draft.

ESPN's Denver Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold took an in-depth look at how big cornerbacks are in high demand but short supply these days.

ESPN analyst and former NFL coach and defensive back Herm Edwards listed his top five cornerback prospects, plus two sleepers, in this piece that requires Insider access.

ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay broke down both the defensive back and linebacker positions in this in-depth analysis that also requires Insider access.

And ESPN/Scouts Inc. draft analyst Kevin Weidl listed the best big cornerback option for each day of the draft in this Insider piece.

Two things stood out to me -- especially when it comes to the Saints.

First, both Edwards and Weidl are high on Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir, an under-the-radar prospect who visited with the Saints earlier this week. The 6-foot-1, 198-pounder had 13 interceptions in college. And he raised his stock at both the East-West Shrine game and Senior Bowl.

Also, Kiper listed Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby as his biggest risk among all the cornerbacks and linebackers in this year's draft. Roby is definitely a prospect who could land in the Saints' range with the No. 27 pick in the draft. Roby (5-11, 194) is a sensational athlete with a ton of potential, but his production was inconsistent in college. Kiper still says he's worth a first-round pick -- but he needs developing. Could be good value for the Saints there.

On a related note, stay tuned for Kiper's latest mock draft, version 4.0, later this morning.

Rice back to Seattle:

Receiver Sidney Rice opted to re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. The Saints showed interest in Rice and are thin on experienced receivers. But they could always re-sign their own veteran free agent Robert Meachem if they want some experienced depth. And there's an excellent chance they'll end up with one or more new receivers from a stacked draft class this year.

Worth a click:

• There were two in-depth pieces this week on the stunning turn that former Saints safety Darren Sharper's life has taken with a series of arrests and allegations of rape and sexual assault charges across the country. Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman offered a detailed account of the accusations. And the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne talked to ex-Green Bay Packers teammates and coaches who are stunned by the news.

• ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando talked with analysts Bill Polian and Matt Williamson to determine which current NFL quarterbacks would be worthy of a No. 1 overall draft pick. The Saints' Drew Brees was an easy yes.

• Former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, gave some candid scouting reports on his new NFC East opponents.

• The next Jimmy Graham? Another University of Miami basketball player, Erik Swoope, announced his intention to enter the NFL draft.

• Congratulations to Saints punter Thomas Morstead and his wife Lauren, who just gave birth to their first baby boy on Wednesday.

• The Saints offered up a collection of the top 100 photos from the 2013 season on the team's web site.