NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints have selected Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins with the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
Jenkins, the Thorpe Award winner as the nation's best defensive back last year, had a career-high 57 tackles, intercepted three passes and forced three fumbles. He started 45 of 49 games at Ohio State, finishing his career with 196 tackles and 11 interceptions.
Jenkins was the first defensive back taken in the draft on Saturday. He played every game at cornerback for Ohio State.
The Saints scored an NFL-best 463 points in 2008 but finished last in the NFC South at 8-8 because they allowed 393 points, the seventh-highest total. Much of the attention fell on a secondary that allowed 221.7 passing yards per game.