2008 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Needs


June 9, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Saints broke out to shock the NFL world in ’06 with their NFC Championship run. But the Saints were as big of a disappointment last year as they were a surprise the year before. The ’07 Saints finished with a 7-9 record to prove they are far from being a consistent team in this league. Reggie Bush struggled in his second season and was slowed late in the year with a partially torn PCL. It was the defense that really held the team back. This terrible unit allowed 15 plays of 40 or more yards. There needs to be minor changes in the offense, but the defense is in line for a more significant overhaul starting with the 2008 NFL Draft.

2008 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Needs:

1.) Cornerback

Mike McKenzie had his best season in years, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of talent around him. The Saints overpaid for CB Jason David last offseason, and he was consistently burned by opposing receivers in his first season away from the Super Bowl Champion Colts. CB Usama Young battled injuries after getting drafted last season and was unable to beat out David when healthy. This franchise has not drafted a CB as its first pick since 1996, but this is clearly their No. 1 need and should be their first priority in round one of the NFL Draft.

2.) Center

This offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the league last season, but its tremendous cohesion is in serious jeopardy. Jeff Faine is a free agent after coming over from the Browns to resurrect his career. Few quarterbacks are better than Drew Brees when he has time to throw, and Faine is one of the most trusted protectors on the line. His departure this offseason would leave a gaping hole on the O-Line.

3.) Defensive Tackle

The Saints were surprising great against the run last season despite being one of the worst pass rushing teams in the league. The interior of the Saints defense is not very athletic and struggled to pressure the opposition through the middle. DE’s Will Smith and Charles Grant are two very capable pass rushers on the outside, but they will be bombarded with double-teams if the squad can’t get a push from their defensive tackles in the middle.

4.) Middle Linebacker

MLB Mark Simoneau is the only free agent of the Saints linebackers, and he just so happens to be the most replaceable man in the group. This group has been solid but far from spectacular over the last few seasons. The Saints are in need of a few game-changing players on defense and it all starts at the middle linebacker position. Brian Simmons is a quality fourth option, but the Saints need to add a faster player who can be effective in blitz situations.

5.) Wide Receiver

Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem are the only receivers under contract in New Orleans heading into next season. Meachem is still a rookie after spending the whole year on the sideline last season. Meachem could watch and learn last year, but now he’s forced to be thrust into the spotlight in his second season. He will become an important piece in the Saints passing attack if they can just find some competition for him via Draft Day.

2008 NFL Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:

The offense is built on speed and athleticism at the all-important skill positions. Sean Payton utilizes a variation of the West Coast offense with 3 and 4 WR sets. Short dump passes to running backs are a big play call with Reggie Bush back there. He has a tendency to forget about the run if the team falls behind early, a young coach’s mistake. WR Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina and WR Travis Brown of New Mexico have the speed this team will be looking for on Draft Day. OT-OG Duane Brown of Va Tech, C Mike Pollak of ASU, C Fernando Velasco of Georgia and TE Fred Davis of USC are a quartet of guys the Saints could use along the offensive line.

2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:

Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs believes in the 4-3 defense. He was forced to get creative last year with an extremely vulnerable secondary and trite a bit of everything you could imagine. Blitzing, zone, quarter and a few other types of defenses just wouldn’t work because they simply didn’t have the personnel to man it. CB Leodis McKelvin of Troy and CB Tyvon Branch of Uconn are two names you might be hearing the Saints call on Draft Day to help out the secondary. NT Sedrick Ellis of USC, LB Dan Connor of Penn State, ILB Spencer Larsen of ASU and DT Carlton Powell Jr. of Va Tech are some names that would make the Saints much tougher up front defensively.

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