TheOak

(Triplett)

A position-by-position look at where the New Orleans Saints stand heading into the 2014 offseason – ranked from 1-12 in order of the team’s need for upgrades or replacements.

Current depth chart:

Cameron Jordan. Age 24, signed through 2014, with team option for 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $1.43 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $2.46 million.

Junior Galette. Age 25, signed through 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $2 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $2.9 million.

Will Smith. Age 32, signed through 2014. 2014 salary and bonuses: $11.55 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $13.9 million.

Victor Butler. Age 26, signed through 2014. 2014 salary and bonuses: $1.5 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $1.875 million.

Keyunta Dawson. Age 28, unrestricted free agent.

Rufus Johnson. Age 23, scheduled to become restricted free agent after three accrued seasons.

Kyle Knox. Age 24, scheduled to become restricted free agent after three accrued seasons.

Analysis:

As I explained earlier on this list, since the Saints run a hybrid between a 3-4 and 4-3 defense, I decided to break up their front seven into three categories: Interior defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers.

I probably could have ranked the edge rushers even lower on the Saints’ list of needs, since this position was arguably the strength of the defense in 2013 with Jordan and Galette both having breakout years, each with 12-plus sacks. Plus, the depth could improve even more this year if Butler comes back strong from a torn ACL. Of everyone on this list, I actually thought Butler would be the guy who had the breakout year in 2013 after the Saints signed him as a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys.

But the reason I still ranked this position so high is because you can never have enough explosive pass-rushers in the NFL, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is creative and versatile enough to rotate a lot of guys into the mix. It’s not a “must-fill” position, but the Saints could certainly pounce on a dynamic, young athlete early in the draft if they have a high grade on him.

The biggest question mark in this group is Smith. Obviously he won’t be back at his current monster salary. But I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he agrees to a significant pay cut to stay in New Orleans like he did last year. He’d probably have to agree to play for close to the veteran minimum since he’s 32 years old and coming off of a torn ACL. But the Saints value Smith as a veteran leader who has always been solid as both a pass-rusher and run defender. He could still be a good fit as part of the front-seven rotation if he comes back strong from the injury.

Johnson (a sixth-round draft pick last year) and Knox were both added to the active roster late in the season, mostly to help on special teams. But it’s possible both of them could work their way up in the rotation with an impressive offseason.

Ranking Saints needs: No. 7 Edge rusher - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

lee909

Could well see them contracts meaning a OLB is our first pick this year.

dizzle88

The thing i find most impressive is Cam had 12.5 sacks from the DE position in a 3-4 or 4-2-5 defense

he was likely seeing double teams all game and still managed that kind of sack total

Guess it shows what happens when you build a D that all your players were drafted already playing it

halloween 65

Quick question. Are they saying Jordon is a DE or OLB? I thought he would be playing the front line.

ChrisXVI

Come on Dee Ford! I want to have our own Aldon Smith/Ahmad Brooks type of duo. Maybe we have something already in Rufus Johnson or Victor Butler but we don't really know yet. Either way, you can never have enough pass rushers.

halloween 65

Victor Butler will be a bad man, I'm hoping Rufus is going to be a bad, bad man.

ChrisXVI

Here's my concern... Butler's only signed through next season. Say he has a great season, then he becomes a free agent and we're forced to either break the bank for yet another player to keep him or we let him walk in free agency. I'd rather just draft a young pass rusher that we can pay very little for and not have to worry about what becomes of Butler.

halloween 65

He is a Ryan guy, he might be good but if he isn't we will address it next year but there is a guy in Buffalo, Aurthor Moats, that is a FA this year and could be ready to make a statement I would at least bring in some competition in , and Rufus might come into his own. If I were to get a lb, I'm more concerned at the ILB.

ChrisXVI

I did not really know anything about Arthur Moats but you inspired me to look him up and do a little research. I like what I've read... He has great speed and experience playing OLB and ILB. I know Rob Ryan loves that kind of versatility. No-one is really talking about Moats so I think we could easily sign him for a reasonable amount. I'm on board!

halloween 65

Buffalo might not have an O, but their D is pretty solid. I"ve watched this guy since he came into the league and wanted the Saints to draft him then. He is more solid than flash and should come at a decent price. The thing that bothers me is he is entrenched in the Buffalo community(which isn't a bad thing) and may take less money to stay in Buffalo. He is poised to have a break-out year which I believe he will.