Saints: 2021 NFL Draft primer as life without Drew Brees begins
By Darral Nail
Though prognosticating upon the inevitable demise of the New Orleans Saints at the hand of the NFL’s salary cap is something of a birthright for the media who cover the sport, this was supposed to be the year … seriously this time. In reality, the Saints enter the first draft of the post-Brees era bloodied but not broken.
If Head Coach Sean Payton’s group is to keep pace with the success that has come to characterize the Saints under his direction, team decision-makers will need to address roster issues that exist beyond the quarterback position vacated by the franchise’s greatest player.
Nonetheless, the talented core that allowed the team to dominate the NFC South of late remains surprisingly intact.
While the team’s fortunes in 2021 are likely to rise and fall along with the performance of Brees’ replacement(s), the Saints’ new signal-caller should benefit from the same premier offensive line, dynamic run game, and passer-friendly concepts that aided Brees in the latter phase of his Hall of Fame career.
Offseason departures leave holes in formidable Saints roster
The team’s offense lost a pair of 2020 contributors via free agency, in form of tight end Jared Cook and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The additions of Cook (2019) and Sanders (2020) were both celebrated in New Orleans at the time of their signings, and each would have its moments in the black and gold. However, neither player is likely to be seen as having met the expectations of either Saints fans or the team’s front office.
The offseason departure that is likely to prove most consequential is that of starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins. In solidifying the position opposite star corner Marshon Lattimore in coordinator Dennis Allen’s man-heavy scheme, Jenkins brought needed stability to what had been a perennial sore spot within the team’s otherwise solid secondary.
While finding a player to man the open cornerback position represents a certain need for the Saints, it is only part of the landscape against which Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis, and the rest of the team brass will be making decisions when the 2021 NFL draft kicks off later this month.
Follow along as we examine some other facts that could influence the team’s decision-making, as well as a few prospects to keep an eye on in this year’s proceedings.