Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton told Bobby and Deke on WWL in New Orleans that defense is their priority going into next week’s draft.

“Certainly we’re looking closely at our defense, and that would be a priority,” via SportsRadioInterviews.com. “I would say this: When you start getting into that selection and you see magnets both offensively and defensively that are close to each other on the grade line, it’s easy then — if you feel real close about the players — to go with one side of the ball or the other. The challenge is when you see the magnet that sits up there much higher than the defensive player, for instance, and then are you just strictly trying to draft a need player as opposed to maybe the best available player. And I think the key is just, what’s the gap? And so when a player falls or you feel like you have a real high grade on a player, you have to pay attention to that.”

I believe the Saints’ biggest need is defensive end that can get to the quarterback. If they could have actually gotten to the quarterback last season, their secondary wouldn’t have looked so bad, because even the best secondaries can’t hold up with a poor defensive line.

Sean Payton admits the Saints? top priority is defense in the draft

I feel better now!!

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Yet, he still leaves the door open for an offense pick at #15. :-)

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

I'm open to taking an OT with the first pick if everything is even on the board. We could sign him to a rookie long term cheap contract. I realise that we need defense desperately but we also need a little continuity along the offensive line. This is a deep draft for defense.....and a lot of that talent is in the later rounds.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Agreed, but I doubt that there's an OT available at #15 who is worth taking in the middle of the 1st round... all of those guys are probably gone by then, so trading down would then be the best choice if they're not trading up.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Depends, if the Oklahoma tackle would fall to us I could see him being the pick. I would shoot myself in the face if we drafted aWR from Tennessee.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Naturally Lane Johnson would be a no-brainer pick at #15, but I seriously doubt he'll fall that far down the list.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

i have accepted the fact that the saints have to be one of the hardest teams to prdict in the draft. they could go defense with 2 picks and all offense the rest of the way.

So what surprises are waiting for us this year? i can not wait lol

BPA Lane Johnson would be sweet.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Your absolutely right. I still don't know which way Sean will go at 15. He is so hush-hush about everything.....I love and hate that about him!

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

I'm sure there are 1-2 people who know what his true intentions are.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Loomis and Ryan

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

...and Jeff Duncan. ;-)

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Here's the :gun: because they have two dynamic ones who I know Shawn would love to put on his team. Have you ever seen a 6'2 Reggie Bush, thats how Cordelle Patterson is descrbed!!!! And Justin Hunter who is said to be the better of the two gets wide open on most routes but has an issue with drops.... I remember Devery and Meach had that same issue!!!!

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Drafting a WR in the first or third round would be a waste. We need OT and DE. Safety help wouldn't be bad either. **** it...take a RB!!!

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

If players that could fall and still be there at #15 like Lotulelei, Rhodes, Johnson, or Fluker aren't there, I hope the Saints can trade down. Two of the most mentioned here like Mingo and Jones just aren't worthy of a top #15 pick. They'll probably be good players but I don't see them having the impact the Saints need or the slot warrants. I'd rather have Collins in the 2nd. Equal talent and better value. If the Saints have to stay at #15, I'd rather they take Austin than Mingo or Jones. He will make more plays for the team than the two OLB's. And lets face it, it's going to be on the offense to carry the load this season.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

It seems like I've heard about 20 different players that won't be there at 15....I'm no mathematician,but I'm sure one of these players will be there

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

Im not sure about your point about Austin over Mingo. You can go a long way with fixing a bad defense with getting a little pressure on the qb and with a hard working athletic freak. He could be a bust but if you cant trade down and mingo is their I would not mind that pick at all. Of course I am not an NFL scout and have no idea who the saints love. According to one report they are high on Tank. I just hope we find a trade partner before we draft someone who will be there ten or so picks later

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

I could see us picking offense if any of the tackles fall, or WR's Austin or Patterson, but only if the top DE/DT/OLB's are gone.

Re: Sean Payton admits the Saints’ top priority is defense in the draft
 

And he is both of them