Saints Draft Outlook from an AFC GM

When it came to the New Orleans Saints it is obvious the team needs to get better on the defensive side of the ball, but like myself, the general manager feels as though Sean Payton may try to go offense with the second-round choice.

"The Saints are an explosive offense and they can score, but they need to desperately get better on defense, especially upfront and at cornerback," the general manager said. "One of the two players I could see them selecting would be either Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas or Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett. Both were very productive in college and can get after the quarterback. Thomas and Barnett are also solid in run defense. They need a complimentary edge rusher to team with Cam Jordan. I like what they have inside with the three young players in Sheldon Rankins, Tyeler Davison and the kid from Manitoba College in David Onyemata. I think the price-tag to keep Nick Fairley in this free agent cycle might be a little too rich for them to pay, but Fairley fits well in their defense and they just might try and do what they have to do to keep him since the other three defensive tackles come at a pretty cheap price-tag, NFL wise."

He said a cornerback would be a good fit for New Orleans in the second round.

"In Round 2 I think the Saints should go after a young cornerback, but I agree that (Sean) Payton loves offensive players and I could see them taking tight end Evan Engram from Ole Miss,"' he said. "Engram, like a lot of tight ends coming out of college today, is a glorified pumped-up wide receiver playing tight end and he is a very skilled receiver with excellent hands. But I would go after a cornerback like USC's Adoree' Jackson. Jackson is a developmental player at cornerback from a technical standpoint, but instantly he solves their issues in the return game on special teams. He needs some work with his footwork and back-pedal techniques, but he's a player in time at cornerback in the NFL, but the Saints have not had anyone to put fear in an opposing team in the return game since Darren Sproles. Jackson solves the return game woes the instant he hits the field and if they get a veteran cornerback via a trade or free agency you could work Adoree' in as a rookie in the nickel and dime sets."

more from Detelillier HERE

The stars look aligned to get a pass rusher at #11 if not scoring one big in free agency. Hell, at this point I'd take both to see a good pash rush on D.