Roster Weaknesses
 

OK, when I think of weaknesses in a roster I think either a key position manned by a below average player, or a unit with just too many average players and no stand-out player.
Right now, I think the only weaknesses we have are at WR, CB and LB, and maybe the O-line if we can’t resign DLP. But even without DLP we have 4 solid players along that line.

Ranking the weaknesses I come up with…
1- CB Yeah, Lewis is a stud but the jury is still out on Robinson and White. The odds are one of them steps up, but we could certainly use some more young talent behind them. Vets are expensive so I’m certain we’ll see a high draft pick spent on one.

2- WR Colston is a standout but for how much longer? He started slow last year and we really can’t have that happen again. Stills looks like a great number 2 guy. Behind those two we have nothing. Morgan is injury prone, Meachem looks to be in decline, Toon was disappointing and the rest are basically nobody’s. It’s a deep draft for WR’s so I can certainly see a top prospect picked early.

3- LB We have some good player, but just don’t have any great ones. Galette is approaching that, but both Lofton and Hawthorne look simply average to slightly above average NFL linebackers. We need speed. Reddick looks like a thumper, but he’s not that sideline to sideline guy we need. Butler looks promising but we just don’t know yet.

Honorable mention –

DT, Bunkley slowed down a bit in 2013. Is it age or did he just have a slightly sub-par season? I think he still has a couple good seasons left, but I’d love to see a mid to late pick for depth. Since we rotate a lot we don’t need that everydown DT, just one with enough talent to take 20 snaps or so.

I know we always go BPA with a little need factored in, but I'd sure love to see a WR, LB, CB as BPA in the 1st 4 rounds.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Great list. I think you summed it up very well. In my opinion, I don't think the Saints have any unit that's a liability but the ones you mentioned could use some upgrade. I think those will be the main areas of focus during the draft. I'd like to see a little OL depth as well.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Great post. Wow, no O lineman??

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

There are two categories of players; needs and wants.

Any position where our best player is at least serviceable is a want, a want to get better. If we have a position where our best isn't serviceable, that is a need.

All we have are wants except for C, seeing as how we don't know that we have one until someone says it's Lolito.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

My take:

WR - Love Colston and Stills. But what's behind them? It seems like if they wanted to keep Meachem they would have done it by now. That leaves Morgan, Toon and Tanner. I like all 3 of them but they're unproven.

OL - Good with the 4 starters as of now. But there is no depth whatsoever, and if Lelito moves into the starting center job you have almost nothing in terms of backups. We probably need to draft another center/guard type for the roster, and then another to stash on the PS for emergencies.

CB - I probably like this group more than most, but we seem to have a lot of injuries at corner every year. Playing 3 safeties in nickel lessens the need for corner, but I'd still love to see us draft one by the 3rd round.

OLB - I don't see inside linebackers being a need at all, but OLB is another issue. We have not re-signed Haralson and we don't know what we have in Butler. Galette is a fine pass rusher, but is inconsistent from game to game. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that we don't always use two OLB's on the field and switch to a 4-man line most of the time on pass downs anyway.


All in all, our "weak" positions really aren't that weak. We are spoiled. A lot of teams, even good teams, have much bigger problems than we do. Even our problem areas are still above average.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

I think Lolito will surprise everyone at Center.We can definitely use an OLB and WR and some depth at all positions.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

CB- definitely need to improve this position in the draft. My hope is we take one of the two 6'3 CBs which should be available in the 2nd round.

WR- I don't feel in a need. We have solid depth. I would love to see Tanner finally get his shot. Stills is a stud in the making and i think Toon will bounce back after realizing those NFL lights are much brighter.

Bunkley gets a bad knock around here. Let's remember he was injured almost all of 2013 and never really healed until the playoff games where he played well. Getting Bunkley back healthy will be a boost for our run D, he was rated highly as a 34 NT in previous years. That being said I don't think he is worth a 6m cap hit.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

My only concern is our OL depth. Our scheme on both sides of the ball allows us to mask deficiencies we have elsewhere. As long as Drew is throwing the ball and we're able to generate pressure, our weaknesses aren't that pressing and can easily be remedied through the draft. Nothing is really glaring.

Talking draft, I'd like to see 1 receiver taken, 1 LB taken, 2 OL taken, 1 CB, and whatever floats everyone else's boat.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Like some of you say, OLB. It would be great to put a athletic power-rushing OLB to put on the other side of Galette, who is more of our finesse guy. I'm thinking of an Orakpo-type guy, maybe we can get one in the draft, even if he takes a year or so to adjust and dominate.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

The first thing Payton did when he came here is he started bringing in corners. He's had a couple of good ones. He might do that again but, I imagine we see either a corner back in the first round or Payton might just get some new toys for offense and go WR or possibly center.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Haralson played very good against the run an if cleared on the medical side to me should be the next vet that needs to be resigned.Yes Saints have roster needs such as depth at Tackle if charles Brown is not resigned.Lack of cap space will limit how much can be done in free agency.I think the top 4 draft picks will have to be used to provide the depth which is bad as the Saints could be in a position where the top rds 1 thru 4 will have to be need picks an not the best player on the draft board as is best for the long term.Also it will be inexperienced depth.:bng::rolleyes:

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Without cap room our options aside from Center (Lolito) are draft picks.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Don Banks has us picking CJ Mosley in his mock. Not the biggest need ,but I would love that pick. He is a stud that would be a upgrade and possible pro bowler. Walter football claims that he is falling . WR in my mind is the biggest need. IMHO 1st rd WR s are the biggest gamble in the draft .I am thinking king we wait till later in the draft that has tons of depth at WR. CB is an obvious need and must be addressed in the first 3rds .Pass rushers ar e at a premiu .Mm and no way do we pass up one that falls to us .OL will be addressed probably in later rds. It is just how we do. We might pick a center in rd 3 . After saying all this the FO will likely do anything and I trust them.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

According to Holder the Saints have $3,089,000 of cap room after the Strief/PT/Morgan/Lorig deals and Lewis restructure. That should be more than enough to keep De la Puente or sign any other veteran center they like. And maybe add one more player (Haralson?) on top of that. Or they could sign Graham long-term and put that money toward a big upfront signing bonus. Rookie pool is already accounted for in the cap figure so no reason to worry about that.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

I agree with your overall assessment but I have to move WR to number 1. The addition of Byrd will help make White look better. Like you said we really only have 2 receivers we can trust. There is a lot of talent at WR in the draft but rookies rarely come out at that position and fit right in. I wish we would pick up one vet in FA that could immedietly help. I'm afraid our offense could be in trouble here. Loomis will figure it out I'm sure.

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Draftnics, I'm speaking to YOU people:

Is there not a Center in the draft, a mauler-type, potentially skilled at run AND pass blocking, that we might focus on, rather than pay an average guy a lot of money when we're not truly satisfied with his play?

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Marcus Martin, C, USC, 6-3, 320

STRENGTHS: Only a third-year collegiate player but already boasts the frame of an NFL interior lineman, possessing the naturally thick build conducive to playing in the trenches. Good quickness off the snap, showing the ability to get to the second level as well as seal defenders to create running lanes.

Possesses good core flexibility and natural knee bend to help him anchor against bull rushes. Slides well laterally to mirror pass rushers and keeps his head on a swivel to help teammates.

Plays with some nastiness. Plays to the whistle and isn't opposed to getting an extra shot in as the whistle blows. A good athlete whose flaws are coachable, suggesting that his best football is still ahead of him.

WEAKNESSES: Only has one year of starting experience at center and is likely to remain at this position in the NFL due to his less than ideal height. Plays very low, which gives him a natural leverage advantage but also makes him prone to effective swim moves from taller defenders. Relies on his punch too much, over-extending and getting himself off-balance.

Spends too much time on the ground because he attempts to knock defenders over rather than simply mirroring them or working to sustain his blocks. Can be a step late in reacting to surprise blitzes. Good quickness to the second level but doesn't redirect well.

COMPARES TO: Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns -- Mack was among the more polished and talented centers in recent history when he left Cal and was selected by the Browns with the 21st overall pick of the 2009 draft. Martin isn't yet at this stage but his upside is clear, as is his grit and physicality. With dedication to his craft, Martin could emerge as a quality starter in the NFL.

--Rob Rang (2/2/14)

Re: Roster Weaknesses
 

Counting on a draft pick to start is maybe not the wisest move. Matt Tennant was one of the better center prospects his year, but he couldn't hack it. Andy Alleman was very well-regarded as a center/guard and he couldn't play either. Even Carl Nicks was not ready to play his rookie year. You just never know.

Having said that, we still have Lelito. The way he played last year, we're pretty certain he's at least going to be decent. So maybe you draft a center and let those two guys fight it out. Saintfan I am definitely with you there, I just think DLP will probably come cheaper than we expect and if so it might be a good idea to keep him.