Two positions
 

OK, which two positions do you think we absolutely sho' nuff must, without question, absofreakinglutely need to address in 2017?

For me, I think we're at least OK along at OL/DB/DT/WR/TE/RB (Obviously you upgrade if possible)

But where we have two "glaring" weaknesses is at RDE (pass rusher) and at LB (need another Vilma or Dome Patrollesque type).

We must find a stud pass rusher and a stud LB.

Gimme a Justin Houston type on the edge and a Luke Kuechley type LB and we're back in the top 5 talent wise.

Now just where do we get those two?:p

Who You Got?

Re: Two positions
 

1st round pick... a difference maker on Defense. The position doesn't matter.
#1 Turnover maker. A game changer. NOTHING ELSE.

2nd round pick... a trouble maker on Defense.
#1 Pressure maker. Strong tackler. Thinks as fast as he runs. NOTHING ELSE.

ALL FROM MAJOR TEAMS.

Also... I don't want anybody with a injury history in college until the 4th round.

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We shouldn't draft for need, but the two positions I am most concerned about are pass-rushing DE and CB. Just because we always seem to get CB's beat up, we need a lot of them.

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Free Agency: LB Zach Brown

Draft: DE Derek Barnett

Boom.

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GUARD - Zietler is a mauler and this team needs one badly.
OLB - Ingram

Side note: Players like Malcom Smith, Zach Brown, or Kevin minter could be huge for this defense. And none of those three should break the bank.

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I think Barnett is the best DE in the draft and could be there at #11.

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NT and S gets my vote. The front line needs to penetrate better, and taking a S like Peppers could also take some of the pressure off of the lb.'s if used properly.

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Edge rusher and Lb. I feel our CBs will be much better when they have help.

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For me it's DE and MLB

Give Cam Jordan some help on the other side, move Craig Robertson back to the outside and draft a true MLB.

I think our front 7 gets tons better from 2 moves like that.

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Circle back to the hated Atlanta Falcons off season in 2016 ..

GM Dmitroff (sp) went out and spent major coin to obtain Alex Mack (C) and Muhammad Sanu (WR). Then add Taylor Gabriel (Browns cut him) who has been a key addition to their passing attack. They have also drafted (Deon Jones, Beasely, Neal) well over the last few seasons. The payoff? NFC Championship game on Sunday and a possible trip to Houston for that ultimate prize.

Saints FO need to be sure and add right pieces this off season in FA and continue to build through the draft if we want to get back to the playoffs in the near future.

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Right guard
Left guard.

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PLEASE . . . NO SUPERBOWL FOR ATLANTA . . .
:needle:

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I agree, they needed a couple pieces on the O. A few FA on the D and has drafted well. The differance is Quinn knows how to piece together a D where Payton never has. Sometimes I really think Payton is his own worst enemy trying to put a D together.

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I believe that we are strong enough at DT and we need a complimentary pass rusher opposite Cam Jordan. We also have the slowest LB'ers in the NFL.......so we need to draft a speedy ILB to start making plays on defense.

I also want a RG to open the run lane and protect Drew in his later years.

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CB or LB-
We need the type of player that teams scheme around and run away from. Haven't had that in a very long time

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See, I gotta disagree with this, and I'll point to one play in particular...

Ted Ginn "caught" a ball in the back of the endzone for Carolina this year and Robertson was on him the whole way...

I don't care if you had Patrick Peterson covering, you would'nt have had better coverage...

Between a healthy Ellerbe and Robertson (and Stupar wasn't too shabby in coverage either) we've got a solid nucleus which to build - but we do need depth...

What positions Anthony and Kikaha play when returning from Injured Reserve and how they fit the scheme will be a big part of that answer at linebacker...

Re: Two positions
 

Two HUGE questions mark players for me in 2017.

Add in Swann & PJ ... still a lot of unknowns at their respective positions.

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DE is the most glaring need on this team. IMHO we got very lucky that Jahri Evans came back and played as well as he did I dont think that we can count on that again. Our LB corps is woeful adding talent there is crucial . Our trouble with injuries at CB demands that we find a couple of quality starters. I believe that the Saints need some kind of difference maker at any position. Cam Jourdan is the only player on our Defense that is close to that. FA targets this offseason should be at OG and CB. FA pass rushers are usually way too expensive. Filling needs in FA has been our method in the past and I hope this continues.

Re: Two positions
 

Yep, thats a lot of promising talent, but with some huge red flags.

Re: Two positions
 

A couple of points here. Evans played as well as he did because he had recovered from the wrist surgery that hampered him all through the 2015 season. It is impossible to block effectively when you can only push off with one hand.

The second point, is the LB talent that woeful or is it a reflection of the horrible coaching that cost two LB coaches their jobs?

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Devil's Advocate on Evans- why not? He'll be 34 next season- is really going to have that much of a drop? Certainly not long term, but I think we're fine next year.

I'm more concerned with CB than DE. Look at the depth chart at the end of the year: UDFA's and journeyman getting tons of snaps.
Williams has played 2 games. Breaux played 6 last year. Swann 7 in 2 years. Stability needed

Re: Two positions
 

Glaring issue
Zach Strief Age: 33
Jahri Evans Age: 33

Solution
Kevin Zeitler RG Cincinnati Bengals 26
Rick Wagner RT Baltimore Ravens 26

Keeping Zach and Jahri in an active rotation works for me. The OL would be the deepest and most talented we have had in years. maybe ever.

Huge issue and you have to take into account the saints have gotten shorter at CB will the receivers in our division and around the NFL are getting taller. Lost way to many jump balls for touchdowns. Plenty of opportunity to address the issue with solid prospects through out the draft. This is a great draft to add talent and height. Heck if the saints added 3 of these CB/FS types in this draft I could accept it.

Marlon Humphrey CB/FS Alabama 6005 196 4.49 #26 rSo
Quincy Wilson CB/FS Florida 6012 211 4.54 #6 Jr
Cordrea Tankersley CB/FS Clemson 6002 195 4.48 #25 Sr
*Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State 6000 195 4.47 #2 rSo
Brandon Facyson CB Virginia Tech 6011 191 4.52 #31 Jr
Kevin King CB/FS Washington 6032 192 4.56 #20 Sr
Rasul Douglas, CB West Virginia 6012 208 4.46 #13 rSr
Channing Stribling CB Michigan 6011 176 4.52 #8 Sr
Treston Decoud CB/FS Oregon State 6020 4.54 208 #14 Sr
Ahkello Witherspoon CB/FS Colorado 6021 195 4.59 #23 rSr
Jeremy Cutrer CB/FS Middle Tennesse 6011 170 4.49 #8 Sr

SDE there are some good options in the draft to upgrade this position.

*Derek Barnett SDE Tennessee 6025 265 4.65 #9 Jr
Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M 6052 260 4.78 #10 Sr
Solomon Thomas SDE Stanford 6021 275 4.84 #90 rSo
Taco Charlton DE Michigan 6052 272 4.87 #33 Sr,
Da’Shawn Hand DE/DT Alabama 6035 280 4.74 #9 Jr
Bryan Cox DE Florida 6031 260 4.77 #94 rSr
Trey Hendrickson DE Florida Atlantic 6036 270 4.82 #9 Sr
Tanoh Kpassagnon DE/DT Villanova 6062 278 4.87 #92 Sr
Tanoh Kpassagnon DE Villanova 6062 278 4.87 #92 Sr

1) The biggest glaring issue is SLB IMO. Sick of this failing 3 safety look

Ryan Anderson OLB Alabama 6021 253 4.67 #22 rJr

This is the only defensive player I would target and go after in the draft so far. He has been atop my list for since the season started. Saints need a SLB that is the complete package. I think this is the player that would make the biggest impact on defense. Besides Jonathan Allen Leftover fav for last years draft. Besides I really do not see many SLB in this draft We are loaded with WLB/MLB.

2) Run stuffing, double team eating NT the has the ability to push the pocket. We have gap shooters at DT already. We need some beef to keep the LB clean and free up the other DL players to make plays. Day 2/day3 has a few

Dalvin Tomlinson DT Alabama 6022 305 5.14 #54 rSr
Ralph Green III DT Indiana 6036 320 5.14 #93 rSr

If you can get the light to turn on.
Jarron Jones DT Notre Dame 6051 315 5.14 #94 rSr

Re: Two positions
 

Good stuff Hagan714.

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Dont'a Hightower

Melvin Ingram

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The only hole I want to fill at this time of the offseason is the one I filled last night if you know what I'm sayin..

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After the positions I mentioned in my early post here are some other areas I would like to see addressed. I am a big fan of the big uglies. Tackle to tackle is where football games are won IMHO. Big fast athletic guys are rare and when you can draft them it is wise. Adding a hostile mobile and agile DT would give the Saints a excellent rotation. OT is not a area of need but I could see a good OL player than could play both OG and RT would solidify a good OL.

Something missing since we cut Sproles is a Satellite back. Two players stick out in this draft Dalvin Cook and Christian McCafferty. Either of these two would be tremendous additions to Paytons Offense

Fleener has been a disappointment adding another quality TE would be helpful.

The draft is fluid affair and sometimes the picks don't follow a teams need Picking BPA is often the best long term choice. I hope that our FO will be brave and pick wisely.

QB is a position that needs to be addressed soon . I could see us picking one this year.

Re: Two positions
 

WWL reported last week that Jahri said he wasn't sure if he wanted to play another year. I think he was a lot more important and played a whole lot better than some people give him credit for, and I think he and Unger are the reason why we had a successful year running the ball.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Re: Two positions
 

Revisiting the OP, which I believe is Alabamanian for "if we don't upgrade these positions we will suck again.

Offensively we were first in total yards and passing, and 2nd in scoring. Rushing we were top half, but barely.
Defense we were bottom of the barrel again, worst against the pass, second worst in points against, and 6th worst overall
I think we have to go BPA on defense Rounds 1-2.
For F***'s sake, we gave up more points than the Browns, Jags, and Jets

Re: Two positions
 

Yep, but it ain't just wisdom from Alabama, its just wisdom in general.

Keep in mind half my upbringing was in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, so I'm not just some bias Bama knucklehead who recently decided to follow the Saints. I've been on board from day 1.

But you are correct in that I believe if we don't significantly upgrade those 2 positions, we will suck again.

http://images.memes.com/meme/361478

Re: Two positions
 

Somebody has been doing lots and lots of homework.

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could not agree more. From what i have seen and read there are more players in the draft listed as LT that will probably end up at RT or inside at OG at the next level. Issue is there are not many options that have experience at swinging from LT to RT. I think we learned a lesson with Peat. But...

There two that are a temptation but playing time is an issue or is it?
Ryan Ramczyk OT/OG Wisconsin 6052 314 5.29 #65 rJr
Garret Bolles OT/OG/DT Utah 6052 296 4.97 #75 Jr (24)

Some players on the inside have caught my eye due to the versatility they have shown in college. Catch phrase I like for these types are
He’s not elite physical talent but “extremely intelligent,” tough and strong.

Ethan Pocic C/OG/OT LSU 6056 309 5.18 Sr #77 Sr
Dion Dawkins LOG/LOT Temple 6045 320 5.27 #66
Avery Gennesy OT/OG Texas A&M 6045 305 5.08 #65
Taylor Moton ROT/ROG W. Michigan 6052 328 5.42 #72 rSr
Julie’n Davenport OG/OT Bucknell 6055 315 5.28 #70
Tyrell Crosby OT/OG Oregon 6045 310 5.29 #73 Jr
Forrest Lamp OG Western Kentucky 6032 300 5.12 #76 rSr
Sean Harlow, OG./OT/C, Oregon State 6041 310 5.17 #77 Sr

Yeah you know I like Christian also. Cook vs McCafferty does not come down to talent but which of the two is an addition without being a subtraction.

I see Cook eating into other RB carries and causing play calling issues. Are you ready to replace Ingram type of pick I have stayed away from in round 1. Except with Elliot. Cook is no Elliot IMO.

I see McCafferty as an accent piece on down 1 and 2 not cutting into the established rotation for the most part. He is an absolute upgrade on third down. Upgrade in the return game also. I have McCafferty listed as a freak. His type of skill set at RB WR and return man come around only so often. Most knock his one cut north south running style but it is because of this style he will be feared out of the back field, out wide, in the slot or returning kicks.

I feel comfortable with comparing him to a a larger version and more versatile version of Wes Welker

There are some interesting prospects in the mid rounds for sure. For so called Jack-of-all-trades players or a Swiss army knife weapon

if you can handle the baggage and believe a second chance is just, next on my list is
Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma 6011 226 4.50 #25 rSo

if not
Curtis Samuel RB/WR/KR Ohio State 5110 200 4.48 #4 Jr
Wayne Gallman RB Clemson 6002 215 4.52 #9 rJr
Justin Jackson RB Northwestern 5106 190 4.52 #21 Jr
Chris Carson RB Oklahoma State 6005 215 4.52 #32 Sr

Want to scare the rest of the NFL and Fleener at the same time? take a page from the Pats handbook for saving an aging QB? The freak

O.J. Howard TE Alabama 6055 251 4.57 #88 Sr

I really do not see much here to be honest they all need to ride the pine and learn. there is really one I would try to develop.

Davis Webb QB California 6032 227 4.86 #7 Sr

late round flyer? UDFA?
C.J. Beathard QB Iowa 6021 215 4.86 #16 rSr
Sefo Liufau QB Colorado 6032 230 4.76 #13 Sr
Mitch Leidner, QB, Minnesota 6031 230 4.95 #7

Yep the best laid plans go crap real quick

I would love the saints to trade down and get

O.J. Howard TE Alabama 6055 251 4.57 #88 Sr

Then trade back up and add

*Christian McCaffrey RB/WR/KR Stanford 5115 205 4.48 Jr.

These two picks would send shivers down ever DC in the NFL.

Add size and speed to WR corp to streak down the field opening everything up without wasting anymore picks high in the draft. Much like Mechuem he would not be asked to run a complex route tree.

Jamari Staples, WR/KR Louisville 6026 195 4.45 #2 rSr

I like this kid because he is so RAW he is scary. Boom or bust? Boom sure. Bust? nah not asking much from him and he has the skill set to handle it. Vastly under rated with good hands. My favorite Louisville WR in the draft.

Now DC around the league will be throwing up. :p

Fleener
O.J. Howard TE Alabama 6055 251 4.57 #88 Sr
Ingram
*Christian McCaffrey RB/WR/KR Stanford 5115 205 4.48 Jr.
Cook
Willie Snead
Jamari Staples, WR/KR Louisville 6026 195 4.45 #2 rSr

Re: Two positions
 

I love college football and live for the draft

it a sickness

Re: Two positions
 

Hagin,

What are your thoughts on Zach Cunningham (LB) - Vanderbilt? Good range? Coverage ability?

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#51 and #57

If only...........

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Zach Cunningham MLB/OLB Vanderbilt 6032 230 4.74 #41 rJr

I see all the traits people talk about and I agree he is gifted but.....there is always a but after I watch him. He looks to be a read and react LB to me and not as instinctive against the run as some say.Plus he just does not impress me with a hard nose LB attitude needed at MLB.

It maybe because Vandy's defense depended him so much he had no choice. Lets face it Vandy's defense did not do a great job of keeping him clean from second level blockers. That is my out for him. It is amazing what he did with the supporting cast he had.

Against the pass he has a solid floor with a high ceiling.

He is the type you really need to talk to and run through drills before picking him. Of all the players in round 1 he is a top my list as the player that needs the most double and triple checking. You will spend a lot money and time on him IMO.

If we picked him at 11 I would be :crazy: at first then I would sigh accept the pick and hold my breath till we see what we really got. IMO it would be a decent roll of the dice and bet he is better as a WLB than a MLB.

I have ranked Ryan Anderson OLB Alabama 6021 253 4.67 #22 rJr higher.

Re: Two positions
 

Stop the run. Especially stop the runs up the middle.

Free Agent NT: lots of busts in the draft for NTs. Go FA for one proven to keep weight under control and demonstrated ability to absorb double teams.

Free Agent MLB: Go FA for proven ability to make the defensive calls that Anthony could not. And ability to tackle in the hole not just downfield.