With The First Pick
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NFL Power Rankings: Post-NFL Draft Edition

By Jon Dove

Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Drew Brees (9) before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Drew Brees (9) before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

14. New Orleans Saints

Key Additions: Larry Warford, Ted Ginn Jr, A.J. Klein, Adrian Peterson, Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara and Alex Anzalone, Manti Te’o

Key Losses: Brandin Cooks

The New Orleans Saints have worked hard over the past two seasons to remake the identity of the team. They focused on adding some toughness on both sides of the ball. This year that includes adding Larry Warford, A.J. Klein and Adrian Peterson.

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New Orleans offense still goes through Drew Brees but they should be a more balanced unit. The offensive line has the pieces in place needed to create a push off the line of scrimmage. This will provide Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson room to run.

Losing Brandin Cooks will hurt, but he really wasn’t much of a factor late last season. The Saints are hoping Ted Ginn Jr can replace Cooks’ production.

New Orleans upgraded the overall talent on defense. This should be an improved unit, but the fact they didn’t add another pass rusher could be troublesome. Most of their defensive upgrades came in the secondary with rookies Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams.

This is arguably the Saints strongest overall roster in the past few years. They are a playoff caliber team, but will need to navigate through the tough NFC South.

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