2017 NFL Draft Team Needs: Breaking Down All 32 Teams
New Orleans Saints
Key Draft Needs: CB, LB, S
Record: 6-8
Cornerback – Defense will yet again be the focus for New Orleans, and the secondary comes first and foremost. Pro Football Focus ranks Sterling Moore, a pending free agent as the Saints best cornerback, but the 62nd in the league. The rest barely hit the top 100, if ranked at all. With a mid-round pick the Saints must find a shutdown cornerback with Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston in the division. Teez Tabor or Quincy Wilson should be options for New Orleans.
Linebacker – The Saints scrapped together some starting linebackers with Paul Kruger and James Laurainitis in free agency. The later is already off the team, while Kruger is set to be a free agent this offseason. Having a healthy Stephone Anthony and Hau’oli Kik’aha lightens the need, but having depth in the NFL is never a bad thing. At least one outside linebacker could be added at some point during the draft.
Safety – Jairus Byrd has been one of the worst free agent signings in recent years, but you can not blame the Saints for making that move when they did. Byrd has started just 30 games for the Saints through the first three years of his six-year deal. With Kenny Vaccaro taking a sudden step back, the Saints need to address both free and strong safety at some point. Vaccaro I’m not as worried about, but finding some depth should be something for the Saints to consider.