Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

The players aren’t the only ones being impacted by the New Orleans Saints’ switch to a 3-4 defense. General manager Mickey Loomis said the personnel department also is adjusting.

“It’s changed, there is no question, because we are looking for different things and we are still trying to understand completely what [new defensive coordinator] Rob [Ryan] is looking for in a defensive player,’’ Loomis said. “It’s really the front seven that we are talking about here, but I think we have a really good handle on the type of player that he is looking for. We brought in a couple of guys from his team in Dallas in free agency and we have spent a lot of time talking to him about each of these college players that are draft eligible and how they would fit into our system.”

Loomis and coach Sean Payton have a history of drafting the best available player and that doesn’t always coincide with needs. But I think this draft could be different.

Even with their free-agent signings the Saints still need more players to fit Ryan’s scheme as he tries to overhaul a defense that ranked last in the NFL last season.

“We could line up and play today if we had to play, with a few practices,’’ Loomis said. “We’re just trying to add to that and improve. This draft is part of that process and, obviously, free agency was part of that process too, bringing in Victor Butler, Kenyon Coleman and Keenan Lewis. We’ve got some elements. We have some expectations of some guys that we drafted last year, Akiem Hicks in particular, and then we are looking for good seasons from some of our veteran guys.”

There’s no question the Saints already have put some parts in place. But this defense is far from a finished product and this draft will be crucial. Even if there’s an offensive player the Saints really like at No. 15, I think they need to pass and get a defensive player who has a chance to be a difference maker.

New Orleans Saints need to keep focus on defense - ESPN

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

I disagree.

If there's an elite offensive prospect there when we pick I hope we pick him. We don't know what we have in Galette, Hicks, Lofton, Vilma, Hawthorne, Johnson, and Wilson making the switch to this 1-gap 3-4.

We do however know what we need on offense. We could easily make due with what we have on defense and re-evaluate next season and address the holes with free agents and draft picks.

I think we need to focus on selecting the best stud left on our boards early, and then maybe focus on holes/depth later in the draft.

Obviously BPA should probably exclude QB, RB and OG, but everything else is a serious option IMO.

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

I would add TE to your list.

I believe Ben Watson will be the FA with the biggest impact for us this year.

Watson TE, Lance or Morgan slot and Jimmy wide?

DROOL

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

True, but I think the athletic TE is a mismatch to be exploited for quite a while. We have 2, and one is aging. If we trade down and Elfert is there. I'd pull the trigger. It would be the equivalent of having two Jimmy Grahams. WOW!

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

Everything that I have read or watched about Eifert says he excels in run blocking.

He is a step ahead of Jimmy there. Only because The Rev is new to the position, relatively speaking.

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

If Patrick Robinson could learn to look back when the ball is up we'll b ok...

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

So asking him to tackle would just be a bonus?

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

A HUGE bonus!!

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

A big bonus.:saintsfan:

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

Which TE is aging it's not Jimmy or Ben they're both in their mid 20s!

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

Look for Roman Harper, and either Thomas, Ivory, or Ingram and maybe one of our misfit LBs to be traded during the draft! Harper will net a 5th or 6th! Ivory between late 2 but we'll probably get a 3rd or early 4th but if Ingram is traded we should atleast get an early 2 since Ingram would be the top RB in this yrs class by far!
I LOOK FOR THE SAINTS TO COME AWAY WITH NO LESS THAN 7 PICKS UNLESS THEY O
PREFER PICKS IN 2014 BUT GIVEN OUR NEEDS WE NEED TO ATLEAST GET 2 DBs, DT, and a PASS RUSHING OLB! I hope we grab either Star, Mingo, Jordan, Sly Williams, Vaccaro, Ansha, and or Lane Johnson! I believe there are alot of good solid options for us at 15 if we don't want to move back because the impact 1st rd defensive talent is gone and they know someone wants Tavon Austin before St Louis snags him! So we might actually be in the most valuable position this yr given there isn't much top 10 talent but alot of 10-20 type of talent! We need to atleast get one 2nd rd pick given Sean and Mickey graded 50 2nd rd grades but only 20 1st rd grades so the value in this draft is in rounds 2-4! I would love to be able to get Star or Mingo in rd 1, Jamie Collins or Brandon Williams in rd 2, then Robert Alford or Shamarko Thomas or Terron Armstead in rd 3, either Tyran Matheiu or Bacari Rambo, DJ Swearanger in rd 4, depending on previous picks grab Best Available maybe Tharold Simon ,Dion Simms, or TE from Florida or WKU, Rd 6 Lawrence Okoye we got to have him maybe even reach on him he will dominate in a yr or 2 and we have the depth to make a pick like that because we have top shelf coaches now all we have to do is get him before SF it'll be hard cause of their 13 picks but they want Tavon Austin so why not take some of their picks then use one of them on Okoye I know it's cruel but it's business at it's best!

Re: Saints need to keep focus on defense
 

Yup.I mean he just look so confused out there.I just think wtf is he doing