After a very busy offseason the Saints have filled some holes but also created some others. The good news is they have a lot of picks which should make for a very interesting draft. One of the most exciting ever in Saints history, hopefully. You’ll remember that I did a write up going into free agency on the Saints’ “musts”, “needs” and “wants”. Those three categories are named by Sean Payton, by the way, not me. If you read the part on the running backs in particular which I wrote back on 2/23, it’s pretty eery to see things played out almost exactly like I outlined (with Spiller and Bush both being the two targets!). Of course, other positions not so much. Going into the draft I thought I’d revisit where the roster now stands.
MUSTS:
1. Pass Rusher: To me this now becomes the #1 point of emphasis going into the draft. Junior Galette is the team’s best pass rusher but there’s still the possibility of a suspension looming over his head. Even if he doesn’t get suspended, he has in large part worn out his welcome in the locker room and there were reports that Sean Payton wanted to think of ways to unload him this offseason. Per Jason LaCanfora: “Coach Sean Payton has expressed a desire to part with troubled pass rusher Junior Galette, according to sources, with the team exploring options to part with him after his January arrest”. That’s not to say Galette can’t change and that he can’t bounce back after a rough year character wise, but even if he plays well he can’t rush the passer alone. Cameron Jordan is a nice player too, of course, but this team needs more explosiveness getting to the quarterback. If guys like Bud Dupree and Vic Beasley fall to #13, they deserve serious consideration. Shane Ray and Randy Gregory could be possibilities too. And how much future does Galette have with the Saints beyond 2015? Better add a guy for the long haul now. The ideal scenario is getting an excellent young pass rusher early that can make an immediate impact. That’s why I’m so high on Beasley if he falls to 13.
2. Speed at Linebacker: Depending on which “pass rusher” the Saints draft, #1 and #2 could be aligned. Beasley certainly fits the saying of “killing two birds with one stone”. But more generally, the Saints need speed at the linebacker position whether that means pass rusher or not. Right now the Saints will start Ellerbe, Haralson and Hawthorne at linebacker… along with Galette if you can call him a linebacker. If we’re relying on that it can only end badly. Some young competition to develop is essential. Anthony Spencer probably doesn’t qualify as fast anymore, but I’d still love to see him added as depth too.
3. Rotational Defensive Line Players: This was incredibly necessary anyway, but the loss of Tyrunn Walker and Brandon Deaderick makes it even more pronounced. Actually, the Saints could get Deaderick back if they wanted but why would they? Akiem Hicks at the very least needs to get pushed and even if the starters remain Hicks/Jordan/Bunkley, there needs to be better quality behind them because we know the rotational guys get to play a lot. Pass rusher could potentially go hand in hand with this as well.
4. Backup Tackle: I’m ranking this as a must because the Saints can’t afford to have Armstead/Strief with Bryce Harris behind them again. That’s just not going to cut it. I like the Armstead/Strief tandem but they’ve gotten hurt here and there and there needs to be a capable backup behind them. In fact, that’s also why I could live with Brandon Scherff or La’El Collins being the pick at 13 too. Either of those guys could possibly start at guard, day one, but eventually become starting tackles. If something happened to one of the starting tackles in that scenario, you could bring Lelito in at guard and slide the rookie over in place of the injured tackle.
NEEDS:
1. Wide Receiver: With Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills both gone, who will Brees throw to? Colston is coming back, Spiller will help a lot, and Cooks is expected to have a big sophomore season. But who else? Counting on Nick Toon, Seantavius Jones, Brandon Coleman and the recently returned Joe Morgan is not prudent. The Saints are thin at this position and needs some serious competition. They don’t have to walk away from this draft with a receiver, but they would be smart to. Amari Cooper and Kevin White at 13 can’t be ignored if they fall that far. This draft is very deep at this position, though, so the Saints can be patient and get a Stills level talent later here.
2. Tight End: I think the Saints can probably skate by with the Benjamin Watson/Josh Hill tandem for a year if they absolutely had to. They can probably settle on staying in house here, with the understanding that no one that they could add will produce at the level of Jimmy Graham. The offense is changing and no longer will the tight end be the primary receiving threat. That said, Hill could develop into a very high quality performer. The Saints are only carrying 3 tight ends on the roster now, though (Orson Charles is the third), so they need to add another. Whether that’s early in the draft, later, or after the draft, they need depth.
3. Left Guard: Tim Lelito and Senio Kelemete are going to battle for the starting spot here as of now. I like them both as young prospects. But the Saints need another guy in the mix in case neither of these guys end up being up for it. Now drafting a guy like Collins or Scherff at 13 helps the tackle issue above, but also gives Lelito and Kelemete competition to start at guard. So that’s a nice 2 for 1. But if that doesn’t happen, drafting a guard later to compete with them will make the whole team better off.
WANTS:
1. Cornerback: With Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson added as free agents the need is less pronounced. Best case, the Lewis/Browner tandem is a hit, Delvin Breaux works out at nickel, Wilson isn’t as bad as he was with the Jets, and Stanley Jean-Baptiste finally lives up to his draft status. I didn’t mention Brian Dixon but maybe he stays off his moped too. The worst case scenario is that one of the two starters (or both) gets hurt and everyone behind them is hot garbage. In that case we’re back to where we were last year. I think the Saints want one more promising corner in the mix. That’s why Trae Waynes can’t be ruled out at 13, I’d be happy with him too.
2. Interior Defensive Line: Bunkley is aging by the minute and John Jenkins regressed last year. For now they’re clearly the top two interior guys but Deaderick needs to be replaced anyway and it wouldn’t hurt to have a rotational guy here. Lawrence Virgil has some potential but he shouldn’t be handed a roster spot. Danny Shelton is another guy to watch at 13 as he could push everyone down the depth chart and start immediately.
3. Quarterback: Nothing has really changed here. This is something the Saints could consider if the right player falls into their lap with good value. Brees, McCown and Griffin is a great situation, though. So I don’t think there’s an immediate need to force things at all.
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