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2014 Team Needs: New Orleans Saints
John Maney | March 9, 2014
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Team Needs

Wide Receiver

Even with Jimmy Graham likely back, the Saints don’t have many truly dynamic options in the passing game. Marques Colston is solid, but is more a matchup player in slot, who is getting up there in age and has had somewhat of an injury history. Beyond those two, Kenny Stills had a great rookie season and Joe Morgan flashed in 2012, but it’s unclear if they will be anything more than field stretchers at this point. Regardless, Brees could use more weapons, particularly with Sproles and Moore – and the 193 balls that were thrown in their directions – no longer on the roster

Free Agent Fix: The Saints will probably be forced to look towards the bottom of the barrel given the cap situation. The oft-injured Sidney Rice could be an interesting candidate with high upside. He’s played 9 games or fewer in three of the last four seasons, but has been good when he’s been on the field, grading at +13.3 in 2012. With enough speed and the size and ball skills to win contested passes, Rice would help the Saints on the outside, likely without breaking the bank.

Cornerback

Who will start opposite Keenan Lewis now that Jabari Greer is gone? That’s a key question the Saints will need to answer this offseason. They surely hope Patrick Robinson is that guy in 2014. He flashed the capability both his rookie season and in 2011, but after a subpar season under Steve Spagnuolo and coming off of a major knee injury, he’s far from a certainty. As it stands now, Corey White could be the mostly likely player to take on that role. He allowed just 0.98 yards per snap in coverage last season – an impressive mark – though he tailed off a bit at the end of the year and in the playoffs, grading at -5.5 in his final five games. Even if Robinson and/or White is the answer, there’s not much behind as Rod Sweeting and Trevin Wade combined to play just 86 snaps last season. Bringing back Malcolm Jenkins would help the situation, with his experience and ability to play some at corner, but him up in man coverage isn’t ideal.

Free Agent Fix: A somewhat under-the-radar name, Tarell Brown had a stellar 2012 season, in which he got his hands on 17 passes, while quarterbacks rated 77.7 on throws into his coverage. Brown’s play fell off some this past season as he fought injuries, but he still graded at +4.4 in 772 snaps. Having played predominantly on the right side in San Francisco, the 29 year old would fit naturally across from Lewis, who played primarily on the left in his first season as a Saint.

Linebacker

If the Saints could’ve saved any money getting rid of Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne, they’d likely have been among the group released already. As it stands, the two certainly didn’t play up to expectations last season, combining to grade at -16.6 during the regular season, and both large culprits for a defense that allowed 4.5 YPC on the ground. Lofton wasn’t particularly bad in any one area, though he missed 17 tackles on the season. While most of Hawthorne’s struggles came in pass coverage – at least until the playoffs, when he graded at -7.2 in run defense in two games.

On the outside, the Saints need to find a player to start opposite Junior Galette. Presumably Victor Butler will be that guy, though a player coming off of an ACL injury is never sure thing and depth never a bad one. The team could resign Parys Haralson, but could serve to find someone more dangerous as a pass rusher.

Free Agent Fix: The draft would likely be the more fruitful avenue for upgrading the linebacking corps, but there are some names on the market that could help. Kavell Conner has graded at +10.3 the last two seasons for the Colts, including the playoffs, in just 477 snaps. Unfortunately, Conner doesn’t offer much value in coverage but the Saints might not be able to afford anyone who truly can, and he could help shore up the run defense. As for outside linebacker, why not Anthony Spencer? He excelled under Rob Ryan’s coaching in Dallas and the fact that he’s on the older side, plus he just had microfracture surgery and played only 38 snaps could make him attainable.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...rleans-saints/

Jack Vegas

They got wide receiver as a need, and that's dead on. But Sidney Rice? That's their answer? There are at least a dozen guys that would be a better fit. I like Emmanuel Sanders.

I don't think that we'll be signing a free-agent corner since the draft is chock full of them.

I think they are mis-evaluating Lofton and Hawthorne a lot. Those guys played well all season. If we give up some against the run it is because they are conceding it a little in favor of mounting a better pass rush. With the exception of the Jets game, any time the defense went into a game with a focus on stopping the other team from running the ball they did it well.

TheOak

The tone seems smothered in a "you are desperate, so we are recommending changes for the sake of changes", or "I need to put something on paper".

I am not resigned to needing the cheapest players just to replace what we already have that was at minimum serviceable and young.

nycsaintfan

Jack Vegas, I agree with your assesment on both Lofton and Hawthorne. Sanders would be a good addition, but with that said I would not mind taking a flyer on a guy like Sidney Rice. "If" he can stay healthy that would be a major upgrade for our recieving core. Rice makes plays downfield, and can get seperation.

K Major

I agree with their assessment our LB's (specifically in pass coverage). We need to get quicker/faster and I wouldn't mind Tarell Brown at corner opposite Lewis.

jeanpierre

Profootball Focus didn't get the memo that Zach Strief is a Free Agent - They still have him as our starting right tackle on their projected depth chart; and how do you not list Center as a need when you know the DLP is going to free agency?!?

Other than Graham, if anything is left under the cap, we should be looking at a younger, faster player like NY Jets RT Austin Howard to replace Strief...

Then there's the matter of center, but PFF may be right in their depth chart that Payton may be willing to let Tim Lelito have a shot at cracking the starting lineup at center as Payton likes to reward dedication and the commitment that Lelito showed this past season has been noted...

As far as wide receiver, I'm figuring Payton and Loomis looked at Lance Moore's contract and figured he had the same thing in Andy Tanner, so that's why Moore and his cap number are gone...

Plus he's got to find opportunities for Toon to develop to see if he's got anything there or if it's time to move on; but I think Payton has a WR in mind in this coming draft...

Tarell Brown is a scrappy player, but 29 years old and what he's gonna command is above what we're capable of spendingunless the Saints part ways with Patrick Robinson - but I don't believe Payton and Ryan are ready to give up on the former first round pick who was expected to be a better fit in Ryan's defense...

The only CBs will be adding will be via the draft...

We're weakest in the Middle after the NT, Inside LineBackers (per PFF) were marginal and that's where we might sign a free agent on defense...

Maybe a safety to geaux with Vaccaro, but I think the Delmas et al visits were a smokescreen to panic Bush and his agent to capitulate negotiations for the RFA...

And then there's that Damarcus Ware situation in Dallas with Anthony Spencer floating around and Victor Butler rehabbing situation...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

hagan714

Free Agent Fix: with what money? jimmy get all the money from all the cuts so far and we still need more.

solution is the draft and pray we get 3 starters out it at the very least.

draft a postion cut a player

ie; draft a CB cut Robinson

nycsaintfan

What I like about this off-season is that it is pretty unpredictable. I think for the most part corner back in free agency will be the direction that they do go in. But Patrick Robinson plays a role in this and can he comeback and have a productive season. I think both Loomis and Payton know what is going on when it comes to what Robinson can offer this team next season.

Personaly I think they go wide out or BPA in the first round of the draft if they can meet their needs in free agency. No question a strong potential contributer offensively is going to be costly on the open market. Hence, my feeling or preference for a receiver in round 1. I think we will know how the organization feels about Robinson in the next few weeks. Robinson and White battle it out for the second cornerback position, if the Saints first free agent signing is a position other than cornerback.

TheOak

Right now you will get varying data from NFL sites. This is a transition period and "technically" all players are still part of their 2013 clubs and depth charts until tomorrow @ 4pm Eastern time, that is when free agency starts. Some have removed upcoming free agents prematurely, and some have counted franchise tag values before those tenders are signed etc..

jeanpierre

Right...

It's just that the editors removed DLP for Lelito, but still have Strief at RT; and Ben Watson is our starting Tight End...

Hell, they may know something that hasn't been announced...