2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

This is how we look a month before the draft...

DE (2) 94 - Cameron Jordan, 55 - Darryl Tapp , 76 - Mitchell Loewen

DT (2) 98 - Sheldon Rankins, 90 - Nick Fairley, 92 - Justin Zimmer

NT (2) 95 - Tyeler Davison, 93 - David Onyemata, 96 - Ashaad Mabry

DE (2) 57 - Alex Okafor, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 77 - D.J. Pettway, 61 - Royce LeFrance

At the very least we need another WDE behind Okafor, who isn't injury prone...

Another option is Onyemata could kick outside to DE and gain another DT...

Of course, drafting an elite DE would also work, but at least we look better, and healthier, on our Defensive Line...

Even if Okafor, or that side can contain, you can still have Rankins/Fairley making plays (i.e. SK, FF) up the middle...

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I'd say we probably need two WDE's in front of Okafor too. Other than Jordan it's a sad state of affairs right now at DE.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I have been preaching this for quite some time, JP. Cam Jordan is a monster and if he had any help consistently across the line, the Saints defense would QUICKLY become far better. The interior help will be there for sure. We just need that other force on the other end.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

I guess I have a two points to one argument I'm setting up...

First, we have much better talent this offseason than we've had for some time on the defensive line and all should be healthy...

Even have argued Kruger, who was signed Week 1 and coming off a neck/back injury could be brought back & help in a rotation...

Sheldon Rankins was a rookie, had to learn the game and recover from a broken leg...

And a new defensive scheme was installed for the fifth time in Payton's ten year term...

Second, this is one deep draft; Trey Hendrickson, DE Florida Atlantic has a high/mid second round grade and will probably go in the late third round; same with Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon...

So if our first two picks aren't a DE, that doesn't mean the sky's falling...

Now unless we lose two starting cornerbacks to injury, a starting high first round rookie defensive lineman to injury as well, bench a starting safety, and have an injured back on a ProBowl DE all by the end of Week 2 (and not to mention have a NT play with a torn pec), we should have an improved defensive line in a familiar scheme...

It's more important that we don't r-e-a-c-h for players in the draft, spend two picks on players in the draft, but draft value and maximize success with as many picks as the 2006 draft, whatever their position of talent.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Looks to me like a stud LB would make all the difference.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

Just throwing this out there that we might already have one in Klein. I'll keep hopeful about that. (Not that we should avoid drafting a badass if one falls to us...)

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

:popcorn:

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

As long as we're being hopeful, maybe Mike Nolan will be able to fix what ever's wrong with Stephone Anthony.

Re: 2017 New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
 

[QUOTE=jeanpierre;743376]
Second, this is one deep draft; Trey Hendrickson, DE Florida Atlantic has a high/mid second round grade and will probably go in the late third round; same with Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon...

So if our first two picks aren't a DE, that doesn't mean the sky's falling...

Either in the 3rd and OLB TJ Watt in the 2nd would be great!