The NFL Draft is starting to get closer and closer. No doubt the hype will go into overdrive over the next few weeks while teams prepare their draft strategies. The New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft is an important one for the team. For the first time in a long time, the franchise must retool without Drew Brees. The Saints’ salary cap issues created several problems regarding re-signing key players. Now Mickey Loomis, Sean Payton, and the front office must address some critical positional needs in the New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft.
New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft Need Number One: Linebacker
After letting Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone go in free agency, the Saints may need to select a linebacker in the draft to play alongside franchise cornerstone Demario Davis. New Orleans utilizes a lot of dime and nickel packages in its base formation on defense. Therefore, they need to find a dynamic linebacker that is a factor in running defense, passing defense, and owning the athleticism to fly around the field.
The Saints are picking 28th in the draft, which likely forced them out of Micah Parsons and Zaven Collins territory. Nonetheless, several talented linebackers provide three-down ability and dynamism that the Saints need from this draft class. Zack Baun is a limited role player; Davis needs a complementary piece alongside him. Linebacker is an important need in the New Orleans Saints NFL Draft.
Names to watch for: Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner, Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton and Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning.
New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft Need Number Two: Wide Receiver
With the Saints entering the post-Drew Brees era, the new quarterback will want weapons to use on offense. Michael Thomas experienced an injury-plagued 2020 season; how long can the Saints rely on him on every play? Thomas became Brees’ safety blanket; the Saints offense must develop weapons away from Thomas. The wide receiver class boasts a ton of depth in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Coach Sean Payton is one of the great offensive minds in football; he can develop a wideout as part of the passing offense. With the talent dripping in the wide receiver class, New Orleans can get any type of player. If they desire a smooth route-runner with speed, they can. If they want a big-bodied aggressive catcher, they can. Forget drafting a number two receiver; the Saints can select another legitimate number one wideout. A wide receiver could turbocharge the New Orleans Saints for the 2021 season.
Names to watch for: LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall JR, Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney and Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore.
New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft Need Number Three: Quarterback
For the New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft to get deemed a success, they must consider the quarterback position. It is the most important position to get right in football. With the Saints moving on from a future Hall of Famer, they will need a rookie quarterback to evaluate and develop. Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston are known quantities; they are reliable enough players to hold down the fort. Moreover, it also eases the pressure on the rookie quarterback and can ignite a hunger for the incumbent quarterbacks. The Saints must not coast at the quarterback position. They’ve lost a Hall of Fame player, Sean Payton, and co need to assess as many options as possible.
Sean Payton’s ability to develop and nurture quarterbacks is elite. His career resume tells us that. With that elite coaching talent, the Saints don’t need to panic and draft one of the big-name quarterbacks. They can draft a project and let him learn from two experienced players and the might of the New Orleans coaching staff. With a still powerful roster, the Saints can afford to spend a pick on a prospect at the quarterback position.
Names to watch for: Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, Stanford quarterback Davis Mills and Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman.
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Thank you for reading my article on the 2021 NFL Draft needs for the New Orleans Saints. For more NFL content follow me @TayyibAbu1 and also follow @OTH_Football
Quarterback over corner? Did we sign someone that I missed? We did make a play on a qb this offseason and if you think Davis Mills is the pick over a db opposite Lattimore then I’d advise you to wait to start smoking until after work. You cant tell me you dont believe at all in Winston but have full faith in Pajamas William’s. I’m not optimistic but am a little intrigued to see how the qb room plays out. I know how the secondary plays out though if we dont go cb, I remember having a horrible secondary, like for forever, and tbh even with Brees our qb play the last few years left a lot to be desired (Alex Smith ball). Give Winston a shot to eat a few a few “w’s”. At least it’ll be entertaining… I’ll stop preaching, I’m done pooping…