New Orleans Saints 2008 NFL Draft Needs

Written April 16, 2008 by Jack Jones

After a great 2006 season when the team went 10-6 and won the NFC South, the team went down hill in 2007 and wound up finishing at a very disappointing 7-9. The team lost their first 4 games of the season and also lost Deuce McAllister to a season ending knee injury. There is a lot of optimism for the 2008 season, as the team is ready to shake off what happened last season. They have also made some moves that should help things out. They went out and got a solid corner in Randall Gay, two starting linebackers in Dan Morgan and Jonathan Vilma. So the defense should be upgraded, and the offense will be getting back McAllister to help sure up the running game, and allow Bush to be more of the playmaker that he is. With the draft coming up the Saints will be looking to get some more help to push them back into the playoffs. Here is a look at the top 5 needs facing the Saints heading into the 2008 draft.

1. Cornerback

With the addition of Gay this need isn’t near as high as it once was, but after last years signing of Jason David that never really panned out, the team could use a solid backup at this position. Gay and Mike McKenzie will be a solid 1-2 punch, but in a pass happy league there will be plenty of playing time here for a quality guy out of college. With the 10th pick in the first round the team could be looking at a guy like Troy’s Leodis McKelvin, or South Florida’s Mike Jenkins.
2. Defensive Tackle

The will still have both starters here, in Brian Young and Hollis Thomas, but they are starting to get up there in age. The team could use some fresh legs to help the rotation out, and secure the future at this position. If the team decides to go here early, they could land USC’s Sedrick Ellis with the 10th pick.

3. Linebacker

Yea the team made big splashes in signing free agent Dan Morgan and trading for Vilma, but its hard telling how much Morgan has left in the tank. With Scott Fujita on the strong side, and Vilma in the middle, the team could very easily look for some help here in the draft. We would not be surprised if the team goes after USC’s Keith Rivers early, or waits and takes a guy like Penn States Dan Connor later in the draft.

4. Center

The team lost one of the biggest pieces to their outstanding offensive line when Jeff Faine left in free agency. The team did pick up Matt Lehr from the Buccaneers, but its unclear if he will be able to do a solid job here. QB Drew Brees is great when he gets time and this is not a position you want to mess around with. Look for a guy like Arizona State’s Mike Pollak or Georgia’s Fernando Velasco.

5. Wide Receiver

The team could be set at this position if last year’s first round pick Robert Meachem is able to step in and make the impact the team was expecting him to make last season, before he spent the whole season on the sideline. We don’t see this being and early pick, and will likely be the best guy left on the board on the second day of the draft.

Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.

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