2008 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Needs

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The New Orleans Saints have done very well on draft day the past few seasons and the result was a trip to the NFC championship game in 2006-07 season. Last season the offense was still a juggernaut, but the Saints' defense was a weakness that many teams were able to pick apart. The Saints have proven to be a proponent of the best available player strategy – taking Reggie Bush with the second overall selection in 2006 and then nabbing receiver Robert Meachem a year ago. This Orleans really can't afford to employ this strategy with their tenth overall pick this season if it isn't a defensive difference maker. Jimmy Boyd's 2008 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft needs pinpoint the areas the Saints need to improve the most.

#1 Cornerback

The Saints are paper thin at this spot. They trade to address it last season by signing free agent Jason David and drafting Usama Young, but neither player made an impact. Now, the team has to worry about the return of Mike McKenzie, who suffered a torn ACL in December. The Saints must land an athletic corner with good instincts to step in right away and become a difference maker. It's hard to say if New Orleans will think any available corners will warrant a tenth overall selection, but they'll take a long, hard look at South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Kansas' Aqib Talib, Boston College's DeJuan Tribble, and Arizona Antoine Cason.

#2 Defensive Tackle

This is a deep draft for defensive tackle prospects so the Saints may grab one with their first round selection. The Saints were burned back in 2003 when they traded up to get defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan, but they will at least have to consider going down that road again. The Saints need to get younger, more powerful players at this spot. USC's Sedrick Ellis, North Carolina's Kentwan Balmer, and Texas A&M's Red Bryant are all worth considering.

#3 Middle Linebacker

Having a good middle linebacker instantly strengthens a defense as teams must pinpoint ways to take that player out of the game, which often frees up other players to make plays. If New Orleans can get Penn State's Dan Connor with the tenth pick, they may just have to pounce. Later in the draft, Virginia Tech's Vince Hall or Georgia Tech's Phillip Wheeler will be solid picks.

#4 Outside Linebacker

The Saints are solid with their two starting outside linebackers, but now could be a good time to bring in an explosive young playmaker to spell the starters and to strike up competition. USC's Keith Rivers and LSU's Ali Highsmith will be gone in the first round if the Saints pass on this need, but they could go with VA Tech's Xavier Adibi in round two.

#5 Offensive Guard

The Saints need some more depth, both at guard and at center and will look to draft a player in the early rounds to compete for a spot right away. Oregon State's Roy Schuening will be worth a look in round two.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 NFL Draft previews to see what direction your favorite NFL team might be headed in. Also check out our 2008 NFL Mock Draft to see how Jimmy sees the first round shaping up.

April 8th, 2008