Ranking the Saints Current 2015 “Musts”, “Needs” and “Wants”

Sean Payton has already come out and clearly stated what the Saints must add to improve in 2015 in his live video with Pro Football Talk. So the top three “musts” listed should be obvious. But I liked Payton’s categorizations of how they attack the offseason with “musts”, “needs” and “wants”. I thought I’d take a stab at how these categories fall for the Saints:

MUSTS:

1. Cornerback – And honestly it might be more than one we’re talking about here. Getting a start opposite Keenan Lewis is most critical, but even then the Saints may need to get another guy that can compete if an injury were to occur. The last two years this defensive unit was completely toast anytime Keenan Lewis went down. Obviously no team can really afford injuries to their best defensive player, but they have to be more prepared for the possibility. The last two years they haven’t been. Brian Dixon, Delvin Breaux and Stanley Jean-Baptiste are young players that could develop, but I’m ready to move on from Corey White and Patrick Robinson. Ideally the Saints have Lewis, two new guys, and Jean-Baptiste/Dixon as the guys in 2015.

2. Interior Line – I was surprised to hear Sean Payton list this as the #2 need but right now Jonathan Goodwin isn’t on the team so that leaves two declining players with enormous contracts in Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans, and Tim Lelito at center. The primary backup would be Senio Kelemete. I assume Evans and/or Grubbs could possibly be on the way out, so there may be a need for even more replacing. At a minimum, their cap number needs to be re-worked. Don’t rule out the possibility of the Saints spending that 13th overall pick on a lineman.

3. Pass Rusher – This was maybe a “need” instead of a must until the Junior Galette fiasco. Now, the Saints not only need an upgrade at this position, they also need a contingency plan if Galette gets suspended, cut or jailed.

NEEDS:

1. Speed at linebacker – Pass rusher possibly falls into this category a little bit, but I’ve also heard Sean Payton in a past interview mention the need for more speed to the ball. Whether the Saints land Shaq Thompson (who Brian Pavek is crazy about) or Bruce Carter (who I’ve pointed out is a perfect fit), they need a tackling machine with speed to the ball. David Hawthorne could be on the way out and even if he takes a pay cut to stay there needs to be more depth, competition and speed with the front line tacklers.

2. Backup Tackle – Terron Armstead and Zach Strief are a solid tackle tandem. I’m happy with these two going into 2015 as a good pair. The problem is depth. Both of these guys missed starts last year and Bryce Harris was a disaster as their primary replacement. The Saints need someone who can come it and at least be serviceable. I remember Strief and Jon Stinchcomb taking a while to develop, so I’m not saying Harris can’t become a good player in time… there’s definitely an investment in time to task with Harris that would be tough to kiss goodbye. Still, either a veteran with promising experience or a young talent with better potential than Tavon Rooks is important for depth purposes.

3. Running Back – Whether the team re-signs Mark Ingram or not, there needs to be some added punch here. Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are good players, but the reason C. J. Spiller has been brought up a couple times on the blog is the need for a receiving back. Travaris Cadet is not that guy, in my eyes, and I could even see Reggie Bush coming back if the Lions release him. I think the Saints can live without Ingram but at the right price it would be nice to have him back. If he does come back, I’d consider parting ways with Thomas (yes I know) and replacing him salary wise with a receiving game breaker. If Ingram does not come back, keep Thomas and still sign a receiving back.

4. Interior Defensive Line – Brodrick Bunkley is another player that will need to take a pay cut or leave. The only guy the Saints have that can replace him is John Jenkins and there’s no one behind Jenkins that gives the Saints any depth. They need another space eater at nose, especially if Bunkley is a goner.

WANTS:

1. Quarterback – Luke McCown is back and Ryan Griffin is still on the roster, so the Saints have some talent behind Drew Brees. Getting a quarterback this year is not a necessity. If the right guy falls to them and the Saints feel good about what they’ve addressed elsewhere, though, maybe you get another guy in the mix to develop. At some point you have to start thinking about Brees’s replacement. If the Saints go QB at 13 I will scream, though.

2. Tight End – Benjamin Watson is a possible cap casualty. And as good as Josh Hill has been, I think he’s ready to step in behind Graham as the #2 guy. If Watson goes, though, the Saints may need another young guy to develop there. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a receiver with size and speed that could develop into another weapon in the passing game. We’ll see what happens with Watson, though. It would be hard to say goodbye to one of the highest character players in the Saints locker room when leadership was an issue in 2014. Granted, we’re more worried about leadership on the other side of the ball.

3. Receiver – The Saints are young and talented at receiver. They’ve done a good job re-stocking with Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills. Nick Toon is finally showing some promise, too. The big question here is what happens with Marques Colston. This position jumps up to a “need” if Colston does not remain. Don’t forget Seantavius Jones, Brandon Coleman and even Jalen Saunders are additions that are developing too. The Saints have good youth and depth at this position right now, that’s why I think they are ok if Colston stays.