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Despite the circus that was the 2012 season, it wasn't a total wash. The Saints scraped out a 7-9 record despite an off-season that could destroy some teams and a historically bad defense (literally the worst ever yardage wise). With Sean Payton returning next year and seeming serious about making a lot of changes defensively (the 3-4 defense was his idea), along with Brees seeming hungrier than ever in public statements since the end of the season, the New Orleans Saints and their fans look forward to putting 2012 behind them and starting anew come 2013.

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Free Agency/Draft Concerns

The Saints main positional needs are on defense, with them switching to the 3-4 in the upcoming season.

Outside Linebacker
Cornerback
Offensive Line (Namely LT and C).

This part is tricky since a lot of restructuring needs to happen before the Saints can even begin to look at Free Agency options. They're about $15 million in the hole in terms of cap space (only the Jets & Cowboys are worse off), and the Saints will need to be largely reliant on the draft to improve their defense. Expect for them to target Brian De La Puente and Jermon Bushrod first, since they're integral to the Saints offensive line. They aren't really in a position to make any big moves for newly unrestricted Free Agents, so Mickey Loomis will likely try to focus on keeping his own Free Agents in house.

In the first round of the draft, the Saints will almost certainly be looking for an OLB that can thrive in the 3-4 system. While they'd love for Barkevious Mingo of LSU to drop down the 15th spot, expect him to be off the board. Assuming that's the case, New Orleans will likely pick up Dion Jordan out of Oregon, who is a good open field tackler, something that the Saints sorely lacked last year. Jordan's conversion to OLB from DE will be relatively painless, since Oregon often dropped him into coverage last year as well.

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