The 2020 NFL Draft is just under a month away, which means that The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be looked at heading into this year’s draft including what their needs are and who they could be targeting. The New Orleans Saints will be the 20th team evaluated.
Michael Thomas (photo by sportsnaut.com)
New Orleans had another great regular season, going 13-3, but failed to win another Super Bowl. They lost to the Vikings in the Wild Card Round, which could have been Drew Brees’ last year with the team. With him back on the team, the Saints will once again be on a quest to win the Super Bowl.
The Saints had the fourth-best offense in the league, as they scored 28.5 points per game. They ranked seventh in passing yards at 265.3 per game, while they ranked 16th in rushing at 108.6 per game. With Brees only being able to play 11 games, he threw for 2,979 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions on 74.3 percent completion. He is still very efficient despite his age. Michael Thomas had another great season with 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. Jared Cook had 749 receiving yards at tight end, but no other receiver had over 500 receiving yards. Alvin Kamara did have 533 receiving yards and 797 rushing yards in 14 games. His backup, Latavius Murray totaled 637 rushing yards. The Saints had a very impressive offensive line and are keeping most of the parts together for 2020. Emmanuel Sanders was added to the fold to give Brees a legitimate number two receiver.
Their defense allowed 21.6 points per game, which ranked 14th in the league. They allowed 93.9 yards on the ground and 240.8 passing yards per game in 2019. New Orleans has a star on the defensive line in Cameron Jordan, who has been one of the more consistent players in the league. They have Marcus Davenport across from him, but do need some hep on the interior. Demario Davis had a great 2019 season and will line up next to Kiko Alonso. Marshon Lattimore is a good corner and the Saints acquired Janoris Jenkins to line up across the field. Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams lined up at the backend of the solid secondary. Bell and cornerback Eli Apple walked out the door in free agency, but most of the defense is back and ready to compete for a title once again. Malcolm Jenkins signed back with the team this offseason.
The Saints have five picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
First Round (one pick): No. 24
Second Round (no picks):
Third Round (one pick): No. 88
Fourth Round (one pick): No. 130
Fifth Round (one pick): No. 170
Sixth Round (one pick): No. 204
Seventh Round (no picks):
Cornerback- If Janoris Jenkins can regain his form, it will help. The Saints still need a nickel corner and depth at the position.
Linebacker- Demario Davis is great, but they need other players to step up at the position.
Offensive Guard/Center- Andrus Peat was brought back, but he did not play well in 2019.
Defensive Tackle- While their edge rushers are solid, the Saints can get better players on the interior of the defensive line.
Tight End- Jared Cook is aging and the Saints need a long-term plan at the position.
Ross Blacklock (Photo by profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
First Round:
Pick No. 24: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
The Saints can add to their defensive front, as there are a few interior defensive linemen who will be talented to pick at the end of the first round. Blacklock is an athletic player on the interior who can rush the passer and help the run defense for the Saints. With Blacklock, the Saints will have a great defensive front.
Third Round:
Pick No. 88: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
If New Orleans wants to improve their linebacker group, they can get Brooks in the third round. He is an athletic linebacker who can cover. Brooks could be an upgrade to Kiko Alonso or Alex Anzalone and could see time in sub packages while he develops.
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