Putting the NEW back in New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints didn’t have the season they wanted in 2020. Losing in the divisional round to the eventual champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the losing didn’t stop there as they would lose the heart and soul of the team, Drew Brees, to retirement. For the first time in 15 years, the Saints would be without one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. So, what’s next? Let’s take a look at what the three biggest needs for the New Orleans Saints are in the upcoming NFL draft.

Defensive Line

Regardless of which position they choose to draft here; the Saints need defensive line help. Over the offseason they lost Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins and Malcolm Brown. A sack total of 16 last season, although majority came from Hendrickson. So looking to provide support for the aging Cameron Jordan and David Onyemata is crucial here.

First Round Option: Jaelan Phillips, Miami

Quarterback

Call me crazy but I think it’s entirely possible that the New Orleans Saints could potentially take one of the many quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Although, to get one of the highly touted “first rounders.” They may potentially have to trade up to get someone the likes of Mac Jones or Trey Lance. The consensus in the NFL over the past few years was that Jameis Winston wasn’t the guy to lead a team and I, for one, don’t think he has earned the for sure starting spot. So look out for the Saints to potentially draft a guy late in the first who may be a reach from the mid-rounds.

First Round Option: Mac Jones, Alabama

Tight End

Not only did the New Orleans Saints lose Emmanuel Sanders, the team’s second leading receiver, in the offseason. They lost veteran tight-end Jared Cook, who was third on the teams in receiving yards and led the team in receiving touchdowns. That kind of production needs to be replicated if the Saints want to continue the stranglehold that they have had on the NFC South that they have had in recent years.

First Round Option: Pat Freiermuth, Penn State

The New Orleans Saints need some things to go their way for them to ultimately be successful in 2021 and the draft is where things can start to potentially turn around for the team. One thing is for certain, in a division that holds the reigning Super Bowl Champions, you have to be able to match them in talent if you hope to win those crucial games down the stretch.

Feel free to check out our other draft needs articles, including our latest one on the Bengals.