Dave Ziegler joining the Saints as an advisor for Free Agency and the draft (Saints permanently hire Ziegler as Personnel Advisor)

Ireland is not the problem. If you look at the Saints picks in a vacuum, you'd think they weren't drafting well. However, I'd say they are doing pretty well when you look at all teams across the league. The Saints roster is not talent depleted like some, that's due to drafting. It's just that the Saints have had fewer than average picks for several years now. The fact that the Saints have been able to remain somewhat competitive (despite coaching) is due to the picks that they've hit on.

Ireland has done well with the picks he routinely makes (later rounds). For the early rounds, that's up to Loomis and the head coach. Given the number of picks we've had, the Saints strategy has been on full display the last few years. It has been pretty hit or miss but the evaluations were arguably on point. Did the Saints take Penning because Ireland had him ranked as the best player on the board or did Loomis and Allen really want to fill the LT position? I think it was the latter.

So again, I say Ireland isn't the problem. It's reaching early (LT, DE) compounded by not having a full compliment of draft picks that's makes it look dire, but it's really not.

If the Saints weren't doing well in the draft, they would be devoid of talent. That's not the case or even close to it.