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As the Super Bowl XLIV champions, the New Orleans Saints don’t have a lot of major holes to fill, but they do have some needs going into the NFL draft on Thursday.

Of course, when you win the Super Bowl and have an offense that led the NFL in total yards last season coming back almost intact, there are few worries. But there are needs, always.

Like every other team, the Saints will be looking for a few more good players to plug in — especially for a defense that, while it was impressive with 39 takeaways in the regular season and eight more in the postseason, ranked 25th in total yards allowed and 20th in points allowed.

While the Saints have been known to take the proverbial best available player in the first round, here are five positions they may try to target with their six selections in the seven-round draft that begins Thursday night and continues Friday and Saturday.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: The Saints lost strongside linebacker Scott Fujita, a four-year starter, in free agency and could look to fill this spot as their most pressing need in the first round. While they have a pair of young players they’re high on in Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Jonathan Casillas, both were undrafted free agents. If they don’t find a strongside linebacker, the Saints could also tab a weakside linebacker considering starter Scott Shanle is going into the final year of his contract.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: In finishing 21st against the run last season and giving up 122.1 yards per game, the Saints were gashed for some long runs — especially in the second half of the season. While 2008 first-round draft pick Sedrick Ellis is solid, the Saints could upgrade at the other tackle spot where Remi Ayodele filled in for an injured Kendrick Clancy. They could find a big run-stuffer in the first or seconds rounds of a draft that’s deep in interior linemen.

DEFENSIVE END: The Saints filled their biggest need here when they signed former Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown to replace Charles Grant, who was released. Brown is expected to team up with Will Smith, but the only other backups are Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston. So getting another end for depth and for the future wouldn’t be totally out of the question.

TIGHT END: When Jeremy Shockey is on the field, he makes a big difference with his pass catching and blocking. But he’s had injury problems the last three seasons and could be slowing down following a lot of wear and tear on his body. David Thomas helped out tremendously last season, but the Saints need a strong, young player to help out with the blocking after being hammered by injuries the last four seasons.

RUNNING BACK: Despite declining to match an offer for Mike Bell and allowed him to go to Philadelphia, the Saints are still well-stocked with Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Lynell Hamilton. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Saints bring in a young slasher in the middle rounds if they can take care of their needs on defense early in the draft.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Mickles: Saints have needs as draft nears — Baton Rouge, LA

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