NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

No. 1 Team Need: Defensive Line


Silva's Analysis


Last year's Saints ranked 27th in Football Outsiders' run-defense DVOA and tied for 27th in the NFL in sacks (31). Up front, New Orleans' lone imposing defensive presence is DE Cameron Jordan, although the one-year addition of mercenary DT Nick Fairley will help in the short term. 2015 second-round pick Hau'oli Kikaha is transitioning from linebacker to defensive end, but projects as only a situational player there. Primarily in the form of pass rushers, the Saints need help both on the interior and on the edge.



No. 2 Team Need: Cornerback


Silva's Analysis


The recoveries of Keenan Lewis (hip, knee, sports hernia) and Damian Swann (concussion) will determine the extent of this need, but neither can be counted on as a significant 2016 contributor at this stage of the offseason. While LCB Delvin Breaux established himself last season as the one of the league's top cover corners, the Saints lack certainty throughout the rest of their three-cornerback package. One in-house candidate for a bigger role is 2015 third-round pick P.J. Williams, who redshirted as a rookie with a torn hamstring.



No. 3 Team Need: Wide Receiver


Silva's Analysis


Offensive line is arguably a fourth need with question marks at both guard spots, and LT Terron Armstead and C Max Unger both entering contract years. I opted for wide receiver as New Orleans' No. 3 need with Marques Colston gone and Brandon Coleman coming off a disappointing season. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead form an underrated starting tandem, but the Saints could use a big, more physical receiver to round out their three-wide package. Saints decision makers obviously won't see wideout as much of a need if they truly believe Coleman is the answer.


Read more: NFL Draft Needs: Saints - Draft Decisions - Rotoworld.com

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

I'd rate the need at OG just below DL.

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

Honestly it's not even worth stressing this whole stuff. Payton is gonna do what he wants.

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

Saints identity is that they roll on offense with Drew Brees...

Gotta replace Colston with a serious threat (e.g. Laquon Treadwell)

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

Mitch Mathews WR/TE BYU 6055 222 4.49

i have been looking into this kid and he looks like a nice option late

DL is huge I agree but this stressing over pass rush vs run stopping is not the right direction to go

CB is a good pick in this draft. CB/S hybrids are good this year

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

Agree with needs, but I'd also rank OG above CB, simply because we also have PJ Williams returning so its like we've already drafted a 2nd round CB before the draft has even started. :p

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

Saints identity has resulted in 2 consecutive 7-9 seasons out of the playoffs.

There is little correlation between additional offensive firepower, wins, and playoff success.

The last 2 years the Saints' offense was in the top 10 in every positive statistical category except rushing.

The last 2 years the Saints' defense was in the bottom 10,5,2, or 1 in every defensive category.

Take a look at the point for, against, differential, and record for the last 8 years:

Year PF PA PD Record
2015 408 476 -68 7-9
2014 401 424 -23 7-9
2013 414 304 110 11-5
2012 461 454 7 7-9
2011 547 339 208 13-3
2010 384 307 77 11-5
2009 510 341 169 13-3
2008 463 393 70 8-8

The correlation is between wins and points differential. Even in years where the offense scores a ton of points (2008,2012) the record was not real good. However each and every year the defense held their points down under 350 (which is 21.9 points per game) the team won more than 10 games and went to the playoffs.

If I have learned nothing else the last 2 years is that the team could not close out games because they couldn't make a stop when it was absolutely crucial. There is no offensive player in the draft that can change that.

SFIAH

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

And the winner......:bng:

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

This ^^^. Gotta find a way to get off the field on 3rd down.

Re: NFL Draft Needs: Saints
 

The "failures" on offense are minuscule compared to the failures on defense.

But the defense is trending upward with recent additions and the 2015 draft.

I have no problem taking an elite offensive prospect in this draft. Its all about A-players on both sides of the ball.

This is an extremely deep draft on defense so I have no problem waiting till round 2 to start addressing defense if all the "A-prospects" on defense are taken, and the A-minus prospects will still be there in the 2nd on.

We could walk away with 4 defensive studs in this draft as well as an A-plus prospect in Laquon Treadwell.

As long as we land a stud DT, a pass rusher and perhaps a WLB in the 1st 4 rounds, I'm quite happy with LT @ 12. I truly think he could be even more special than Colston was. He could be our Larry Fitzgerald for the next 8-10 years.