NFL Draft Countdown: New Orleans Saints #32

Strength and Weaknesses:

The Saints were one of if not the most dynamic offense in the NFL in 2009.  Led by Drew Brees they didn't have a lot of trouble scoring or racking up points.  The Saints were amongst the Top-6 in every major important offensive category on the season third down conversion percentage to average yards per rush.  This was in part thanks to Brees, but also due to the excellent offensive line they work with.  The Saints did a lot of things right on offense and won the Super Bowl as a result of it. 

However if the Saints want to repeat as champions in 2010 they may need to get a bit more help from the defense.  All too often the Saints were involved in shoot outs giving up 20 or more points on the season 12 times.  In addition to that the Saints weren't rated better than middle of the pack in most defensive categories. 

Free agency:

As previously mentioned the Saints were limited in what they could do in free agency and have needed to focus on keeping their own players around.  Even with that said the Saints have already lost six free agents to this point, five players in total on the defensive side of the ball.  Significant losses were starting LB Scott Fujita and DE Charles Grant meaning the Saints are going to likely need to upgrade the personnel in their front seven.  It seems almost certain that they'll target either a pass rushing OLB or a DE to bolster their pass rush to help the overall success of their defense as a whole. 

Draft needs and targets:

The Saints aren't the type of team to pigeon hole themselves into drafting for a specific need and at #32 overall you're right on the cusp of needing to draft the best player available rather than drafting for need.  There are usually only 10 to 15 true impact players in the NFL draft in the first round and the Saints could have a need at all three levels depending on what Darren Sharper chooses to do. 

Player that fit in the profile the Saints may go after, Clemson linebacker Ricky Sapp, Michigan DE Brandon Graham, DE Carlos Dunlap from Florida, DE Jerry Hughes from TCU or DE Everson Griffen from USC, OLB Daryl Washington from TCU or if his stock doesn't soar to high, Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. 

This solid group of prospects who all could be available at around the 32nd pick in the NFL draft could do a lot to bolster the Saints' defense.  The most likely player to be there at 32 who may best fit their needs would be Griffen from USC.  Griffen has the ideal size and speed off the edge.  Griffen's size and game is not all that different than the departed Charles Grant, meaning he could be plugged right into Grant's role on the defense and provide instant pressure off the edge. 

If the Saints can't bolster their front seven the next likely prospects to go for on defense would be in the secondary.  Boise State CB Kyle Wilson, Rutgers CB Devin McCourty, FS Taylor Mays. 

Either way it's hard to foresee the Saints not going defense in the first round, the offense has had solid success with mid round prospects and with second year defensive coordinator Greg Williams having more influence and a solid eye for defense talent addressing that side of the ball seems a near certainty.

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