SmashMouth

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said this week that defensive end is a position the team must still address this offseason, but at this point, the team has limited options for filling it.

The free-agent market is significantly depleted, so the draft is likely where the team will find help at the position. However, with where the Saints are picking, it's going to be difficult to find an impact player for 2018.

The Saints don't pick until 27th overall in the draft, so the top defensive ends will likely be gone. Their next pick isn't until 91st overall in the third round, so more pass-rush options will come off the board.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Wednesday this year's defensive end class is "not real good" and particularly "very iffy early" in the draft. Still, Kiper mentioned a few players the Saints could target beyond the first round.



The first name Kiper listed was Breeland Speaks from Ole Miss, who's 6-foot-3, 285 pounds and had seven sacks in 2017.

"The more I watch that kid, he really impressed," Kiper said. "Just a lot of versatility, you can move him around, he's got initial quickness, he plays with a lot of strength and leverage."

read more on NOLA

Attached Thumbnails