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."

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K Major

Mel Kiper ... lmao.

vpheughan

"I LIKE THAT KIPER KID!"

Born: July 25, 1960 (age 57), Baltimore, MD
Education: Community College of Baltimore County

QuotesAfter fellow analyst Merril Hoge disagreed with him on USC receiver Mike Williams being the best player in the draft) "I'll see you at his Hall of Fame induction."

RockyMountainSaint

Kiper mentioned Ohio State's Sam Hubbard,

That should have been the entire article.
There is a buckeye available?
You know they will.....

billyt81

I know Peyton loves Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State(midwest guys). I miss Hokie(RIP Hoss), Dalton Hilliard, Eric Martin. How about Arden Key? Dude can surely rush the passer. I'm not sure I want him at 27 and Im this forums biggest LSU homer.

ChrisXVI

So Breeland Speaks’ agent is paying Kiper.

billyt81

Arden Key would give the Saints the best DE duo in the league. There is no doubt Key can rush the passer and I think he could drop because he was dinged up last year.

K Major

He was missing in action for the Tigers for almost 3 months due to "personal issues" (details are still sketchy on that), gained weight in the process & didn't seem to be in game shape upon returning. I'd love to know what he told executives on his personal visit/Saints one on one interview.

Freakish ability but I wouldn't touch Arden in the first round. No way.

billyt81

I agree not in the 1st rd.

Cruize

I don't see DE as a need unless it's an elite DE. Which I really don't see in the draft. Especially at #27. The good news is, on paper, the Saints are solid across the board except at WR and NT. Thomas needs a legit player opposite him and the defense needs a true space eating, block engaging, run stuffing NT.