Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2015 NFL Draft. Continuing with the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints are now under the microscope. After missing the 2014 playoffs with a disappointing 7-9 campaign, the Saints will look to return to their postseason form.
New Orleans has been extremely active in the offseason thus far. After first shocking the football world by trading All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, the Saints have since acquired several free agents and numerous draft picks. With two of their nine draft picks coming in Round 1 (13th and 31st overall), what positions should New Orleans address?
New Orleans Saints 2015 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Defensive Line
The defensive line play of the Saints was putrid in 2014, starting inside at the tackle spots. The team finished 29th in rushing defense, allowing just under 133 yards per game on the ground. After reports of dominating training camp, Akiem Hicks could not control the middle of the line throughout the regular season. The Saints should consider drafting Arik Armstead to help solidify the middle of their defensive line.
The pass rush also took a huge step backwards last season. The Saints finished with 34 sacks in 2014 as opposed to 49 in 2013. In that 49-sack campaign, edge rushers Cam Jordan and Junior Galette combined for 24.5 of those takedowns. Jordan’s sack total dipped from 12.5 in his Pro Bowl season to just 7.5 in 2014. Although Galette is coming off consecutive 10-sack seasons, his status with the franchise may be in doubt due to his domestic violence situation. Drafting Shane Ray or even Randy Gregory would greatly bolster the team’s defensive front.
Offensive Line
For the past nine seasons, the New Orleans Saints have perennially boasted one of the NFL’s premier offenses. The Payton-Brees duo is undoubtedly the greatest reason for their success, but continuity along the offensive line has also aided the franchise’s growth. From 2009-2012, the Saints allowed an average of 24 sacks and 57.5 hits on the quarterback. In the last two seasons, the team surrendered 67 sacks and 156 quarterback hits.
Advanced age and the departure of Pro Bowlers have led to the offensive line’s demise. With Drew Brees at 36, it is imperative now more than ever to keep the Saints’ franchise player upright. In order for the New Orleans offense to return to its elite form, they must draft new faces along the offensive line to establish chemistry and continuity moving forward.
Cornerback
Cornerback has remained the biggest inconsistency in New Orleans since the start of the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era. Since 2006, the Saints have finished in the top half of the league in passing defense three times; they placed 23rd or below the other six years. The franchise has cycled through Fred Thomas, Mike McKenzie, Tracy Porter, Patrick Robinson and so on. Despite each of these guys being very productive during certain stretches, their windows of high-level play were minuscule.
I originally ranked this position as the team’s second-highest priority earlier in the offseason, but with the acquisition of Brandon Browner to go opposite of Keenan Lewis, the Saints’ cornerback situation is in much better shape. Although Browner and Lewis are solid corners individually, they both are getting up in age (will be 31 and 29 at the start of the season, respectively). Look for the Saints to make a move on the draft’s top corner, Trae Waynes; he would benefit greatly by learning from two quality starters.
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