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The previous most important draft in New Orleans Saints history looks easy now.

After it became known that the Houston Texans would select Mario Williams with the first pick in 2006, all first-year Saints coach Sean Payton had to do was convince Reggie Bush that New Orleans was the right place for him.

The city took care of that for Payton by lavishing Bush with adoration and applause at a local restaurant when he came to town for a visit.

A few years later, Bush was riding through town on a float as a Super Bowl champion. The applause was much louder then.

It’s not as simple this time. It would be a stretch to say the franchise is at a crossroads. As things stand, if the product comes together on the field, this roster has enough talent to sneak out of the weak NFC South. The Saints always have a chance to win as long as Drew Brees is under center.

But if the goal is to add to the nucleus of the roster and enjoy sustained success — and the moves of this offseason suggest that is the goal — then April 30 will mark the beginning of one of the most critical three-day stretches of the Payton era.

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hagan714

“And I think if you’re looking closely to when we’ve been real good, there’s been that element defensively (and) there’s been that element in the running game.”

I am not buying

Still, with the running game likely set, the Saints can turn their attention to improving the defense in the draft.

I sure hope this is not the saints mind set going into the draft.

defense is still a mess.
Run game is one injury from a flat tire.
Drew safety blanket in the passing game is Colston?
Do you really think the saints can survive on quick screens and hitches to Cook?
We are banking of some one from out of no where to be the impact reciever for Drew?

sorry koolaid is being served again awful early

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

jeanpierre

So by day Captain Obvious writes for the Advocate?!?

triman

With nine picks two 1st rd,two 3rd rd,two fifth rd,6th rd,Two 7th rd We should be able to find some talent. I hope that we stick @#13 and trade back @ #31

SmashMouth

It would appear so... Whodathunkit?

blackangold

Seems like I see this same article every year...

Foot Stomper

Who knows how it works out but I like the additions to our roster though.

Browner
a healthy Byrd
Ellerbe
Maybe Kyle Wilson bring something
Delvin Breaux.
If we get a healthy Spencer thats a upgrade.

On offense we aren't done. But you gotta love adding Spiller, & Unger

Still have a long way before opening of the season.

ChrisXVI

"Free agency will be critical in which veterans are on the team"... Top notch stuff.

vpheughan

And we are one sack away from a 2 - 14 too! Better draft a bunch of "Franchise QB'S"

Rugby Saint II

I understand filling holes in FA and then going BPA in the draft. However, we spend a ton of money of border line quality players......often over paying. We have never been better than adequate at drafting. We've had a few hits but the majority of our signings are meh. Payton has an eye for offensive talent I believe but he can't evaluate defense worth a damn.

I am hoping that the new scouts will deliver better than average talent this time around. Although, it's almost foolish to think that this is the year WE NAIL IT when we've never done it before. I have some hope that we won't take as many projects in the draft and that the FO will evaluate talent with better results. I can hope can't I? Where's that Kool-Aid.......I like grape!