New Orleans Saints
As with Indianapolis, it was all about addressing needs here. Amid rumors that they might trade up from the 11th pick to add an elite-level defender, the Saints played it out on Thursday night. They ended up acquiring the consensus top corner in the draft, Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State.
Lattimore only has one year of high-level college starting experience, but he boasts the traits teams covet in a potential shutdown cornerback.
“I’m amazed that he fell to No. 11. His upside is amazing. His ball skills are a true reality,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said during the draft. “Rarely gets called for pass interference even though he’s a one-year guy. I think that he could be Aqib Talib some years down the road.”
Is Lattimore a Year 1 starter? His inexperience seems to suggest New Orleans might want to take it slow with the former Buckeye. But here’s a defense that has finished in the bottom three of the NFL against the pass each of the past two seasons. Lattimore will likely be thrown into a starter role immediately. Considering he already boasts plus-level ball skills, that’s going to be a huge improvement for the Saints.
New Orleans then decided to double down on the secondary with safety Marcus Williams in the second round. He was one of this scribe’s favorite free safeties when watching tape prior to the draft.
Maybe not up to the level of Malik Hooker in this aspect, Williams still has a strong range in center field. He can act as a single-high safety, a last line of defense for a Saints defense that has been missing this in recent years.
There’s little doubt the Saints’ offense was playoff-caliber last season. Drew Brees remains one of the top quarterbacks in the game. And even after the team traded Brandin Cooks, the likes of Willie Snead and Michael Thomas are more than capable of picking up the slack.
Add in the signing of future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson and top-level guard Larry Warfard to an already strong offensive line, and the writing is on the wall here. New Orleans is hellbent on competing for a playoff spot and a potential title during the twilight of Brees’ career. While the team is still ways away from that ultimate goal, it would not be a shock to see New Orleans vie for the NFC South title in 2017.