NFL Draft 2015: New Orleans Saints Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
For a look at the New Orleans Saints’ team needs entering the 2015 NFL Draft, I got together with Who Dat Dish‘s Andrew Schuster. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
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1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
"The Saints’ draft needs have without question changed since free agency kicked off. The acquisition of Brandon Browner makes it safe to wait on a CB."
2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"Pass rusher (OLB/DE), defensive tackle, and then I say it’s a tie between interior linebacker and receiver, but we’ll go WR since Dannell Ellerbe has high upside at ILB."
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"As far as prospects: Clemson DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Kentucky DE/OLB Alvin Dupree, Washington DT Danny Shelton, Ohio State DT Michael Bennett, Miami ILB Denzel Perryman, UCLA ILB Eric Kendricks, LSU OL La’el Collins and of course the first-round WR prospects Amari Cooper, Kevin White, etc. I like WR Dorial Green-Beckham at No. 31, but his off-field issues leave us very skeptical."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"A successful draft would be addressing the Saints’ HUGE need at pass rusher EARLY, filling voids at inside linebacker and defensive tackle, acquiring another cornerback to eventually take over slot duties and finding a diamond in the ruff at wide receiver, much like Marques Colston in the seventh round way back in 2006. Maybe even snagging another running back in the later rounds would be an idea."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"I’d love to see the Saints pursue Hobart OL Ali Marpet in the third, maybe fourth round – his flexibility along the line could be huge. Tulane CB Lorenzo Doss in the fourth. Tennessee State guard Robert Meyers in the fifth or sixth. Towson DE Ryan Delaire in rounds 6-7. Alabama DE/OLB Xzavier Dickson in rounds 5-6. Virginia OLB Max Valles in rounds 5-6. LSU RB Terrance Magee in 6-7. And my favorite potential diamond in the ruff – The 6-foot-6 explosive Georgia Tech WR Darren Waller in rounds 5-6."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft