METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints were in a hurry to improve their pass rush.

Trading up for the New England Patriots' seventh overall pick in Saturday's NFL draft, the Saints selected Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

"He gives us flexibility in regard to the pass rush ... He's a guy that plays with great intensity," Saints head coach Sean Payton said. "He was one of the guys, as the draft started, that we held in high regard and fortunately we were able to get up there and get in position to select him."

The 6-foot-1, 305-pound lineman was the Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the year in 2007, when he made 58 tackles, including 8.5 sacks. Ellis also batted away seven passes and recovered two fumbles.

The Saints, who went 7-9 last season, initially had the 10th overall pick. They sought to move up to the fifth pick, possibly to take LSU's Glenn Dorsey. Kansas City refused to relinquish that pick, however, and took the Tigers' All-America defensive lineman.

Dorsey and Ellis were widely considered the top two interior defensive linemen in the draft and there was some debate as to who was better.

One thing the Saints made clear is that they viewed improving their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks as the best way to solidify a defense ranked 30th in the NFL against the pass last season.

"You're getting better at corner by creating a pass rush," general manager Mickey Loomis said. "Obviously we saw the Giants, and everybody's talked about that, the impact their pass rush had in the postseason. ... We definitely went into this draft with that philosophy."

So while all of the top prospects at defensive back were available at the seventh pick, the Saints instead went with Ellis, a three-year starter at USC who was recruited out of high school by former Trojans assistant coach Ed Orgeron, now the defensive line coach for New Orleans.

"He knows what kind of football player I am," Ellis said of Orgeron. "He knows when I come to play football, that's my life and I'm serious about it. Great players need great coaches and I think it will be a great matchup."

New Orleans waited until the second round to take a cornerback, using the 40th overall pick on Indiana's Tracy Porter, who played high school football in Port Allen, La.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back had six interceptions last season. His 16 career interceptions rank second all-time at Indiana.

In the trade with New England, New Orleans gave up both its 10th overall pick as well as its third-round choice. In return, the Saints also got New England's fifth-round pick.

Ellis spent draft day in his hometown of Chino, Calif., with about 100 friends and relatives at a Dave & Buster's restaurant, known for its wide selection of video games.

A fan of video games himself, Ellis was too anxious to play them before his name was called.

"I was nervous as heck," Ellis said. "I was sitting glued to the TV. Now I'm going to go play some games."

The Saints are eager to see Ellis play football in a black and gold uniform.

Orgeron, who was at Saints headquarters in suburban New Orleans on Saturday, said Ellis and Dorsey "were very close in a lot of things, although I have a lot of respect for Glenn Dorsey and type of player he is."

Ellis has a "great burst" at the snap of the ball, is very tough and brings leadership qualities to the locker room, Orgeron said.

Although his natural position is nose guard, where veteran Hollis Thomas plays, Ellis also is versatile enough to play the other tackle position in the Saints' four-linemen scheme and be in the game for both running and passing situations.

"He's a guy that will compete right away from playing time in those positions," Payton said.

Orgeron said Saints fans "are going to be very happy with his pass rush skills and his ability to make plays."

While pushing Thomas and fellow defensive tackle Brian Young for playing time, Ellis is expected to strengthen a line that also includes defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant.

"We're going to have an outstanding defensive line," Orgeron said. "All the tools are in place."

Loomis said Orgeron's input was invaluable because his relationship with Ellis gave him knowledge of not just the player's talent but also what type of person he is, something that does not come across on film.

"Who better to give you an idea of those characteristics than people who worked with them closely and have seen them grow," Loomis said. "Those relationships are important. ... When you have those you've got to take advantage of it."

In New Orleans, Ellis will join former USC teammate Reggie Bush, who was part of the same recruiting class as Ellis in 2003.

"It will be cool being back on a team with somebody I know who can show me around the city and get me acclimated a little bit," Ellis said.

Porter, meanwhile, said he was "die-hard" Saints fan as a child and that his selection by New Orleans caused bedlam among his friends and relatives in Port Allen, where he spent the day.

"The house was full and they started screaming," Porter said.

Porter, who ran 40 yards in 4.37 seconds at the NFL combine, has the speed the Saints are looking for in a defensive back along with his instincts for finding the ball in the air.

Payton said Porter should enter training camp with the goal of competing for playing time right away.

"We're going to play the best players, and we hope they're guys we've identified and drafted," Payton said.

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