This is the first year in many years that Dot Dot Dot

All plausible. Byrd and vaccaro really haven t played up to par, Keenan may never be same. Breaux is UFA. Lots of holes EVERYWHERE. Watson may retire.

Cap room is going to be a problem. We're not a strong enough contender to get an older player who will play for less in order to win a ring, and we don't have the space to compete with other teams for younger free agents.

We can find a WR or DT in the early rounds and guards in the later rounds but there aren't enough draft picks to fill every hole on the roster.

I agree with the OP that 2017 is more promising than 2016. However, if we can pull of 9-7 and win the division or sneak into the playoffs as a 6 seed, anything can happen. We might want to just get a gamebreaking WR and some better O-linemen in the draft and hope we can outscore everyone.

That's good. Don't know why I assumed breaux was a one year deal

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Find an NFL caliber LB to put next to Anthony

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If we can just keep Ellerbe healthy we will be fine (at least for 1-2 seasons) with Ellerbe-Anthony-Kikaha if we continue playing 4 man fronts IMO

As long as we retain Browner, I think we are a playoff team next season.

I feel like upgrading o line and finding another wr absolutely biggest priorities. Being able to effectively consistently run and protect Brees will benefit our defense immensely. We can't fix everything. I'd rather go really hard and commit to fixing one group almost entirely than trying to plug holes all over.

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I'd rather go really hard and commit to fixing one group almost entirely than trying to plug holes all over.

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To be fair, the only group on D that really needs help is the DL. The LBs are good but young. The secondary is good but hurt. The DL... They're bad.

I think a 2nd offseason under the belts of Kikaha, Anthony, Swann and Breaux will do wonders for the defense. They're bad right now but very banged up - I think they're a few DL pieces from being a solid group for 3-5 years.

Offensively we, as you said, need WR and OL help bad. As many needs as we have, I'm still inclined to think WR is the #1 need. If we can free up 15-20M in cap space (do-able easily with a Brees extension and cutting older guys like Colston) we can probably afford at least a serviceable guard. Take Treadwell and spend our 2nd on a DT.... 3rd on another guard. Would be a very good start.