Offseason positions of need
QB isn't near a top need. I mean if we can get a franchise guy, for sure get him. But we are average to above average at QB. I can't say that about most other positions. The idea that we have the worst QB situation in the league or something is pretty crazy. I get the thought of wanting to move on to a cheaper rookie but it's not like we don't have a legit option.
1. DE - Huge hole and our pass rush must improve
2. NT/DT - We have to improve or run D
3. OG - Big hole
4. WR - Need an X and depth for injuries
5. S - I don't trust our second safety and our 1st might be gone very soon
6. CB - Have trouble placing this. Very important position but I like the two that we have. Much lower if Adebo signs.
7. TE - Significant hole unless we resign Johnson
8. RB - Kamara isn't here for long and I don't trust Miller
9. LB - Gotta prepare for DD retirement
10. OT - Hopefully Penning can keep improving. Not against swinging for an upgrade though.
11. QB - If something great presents itself jump on it. Otherwise, there are much bigger needs.
12. C - Need a backup. Hopefully we won't need it again though.
Just going to do a top 5
#1 I’m going to lump DE/DT together and use an old Payton term to identify it. The saints need another “pressure player”. Either inside or outside will do, personal preference is inside because the shortest path to the QB is a str8 line.
#2 RB. I can’t trust Kamara at his age, or Miller in his youth to give you a full 17 game season. I’d operate as if both are part time players w/ potential to surprise.
#3 CB would be 3rd. Adebo is a FA and neither Taylor or McKinstry proved they are above competing for a starting position. Adebo would be a priority resigning. He’s a ballhawk and em would benefit from playing Cover 4/Match zone.
#4 TE. Moreau is coming off an injury, Taysom may or may not be on the roster and is in same camp as Moreau, meanwhile Johnson is a FA. Preference is resign Johnson, he has connection w/Rattler that didn’t seem to get established w/ Carr.
#5 Safety. Personally I’d cut Mathieu and go with Howden and Harris while drafting a guy, Both are relatively young and hungry and both fit the role in that they can be factors in the run game. Mathieu’s complaining at the tail end of the season combined with/ an inordinate amount of missed tackles isn’t worth the paycheck. He’s in it for the turnovers and that’s fine but he can reach that goal on an established team.
WR is in there somewhere as is G but as has been noted by Underhill the average NFL team only has two good OL and then a bunch of serviceable guys. Fuaga and McCoy are the anchors and Penning still has room to improve. Kellen does a lot of combo blocks in his run scheme, this should help them tremendously, talent is there on the oline.