New Orleans Saints: Must Go Defense With No. 13 Pick

By Robby Sabo | Apr 20, 2015

Usually picking in the middle part of Round 1 can bring a ‘best player available’ philosophy. But the New Orleans Saints must go defense with the No. 13 overall selection.

Some love them, some don’t. Some think they’re defensive geniuses, some think they’re overrated.

Some realize one of them knows what he’d doing while the other receives too much airtime.

We are, of course, talking about the Ryan Brothers: Rex and Rob.

While Rex has worked his way to head coaching status in the NFL – as well as enjoying pretty solid success early on during his New York Jets tenure – Rob has moved from team to team as a defensive coordinator, raising the question of whether he could even touch his brother as a defensive genius.

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Last season didn’t help Rob’s case.

The New Orleans Saints finished 31st in the league by giving up 384.0 yards per game. They struggled in every aspect of on the defensive side of the ball.

Against the run they ranked 29th, giving up a ridiculous 132.8 yards per game on the ground; and against the pass they fell into the 25th spot by surrendering 251.2 yards a game.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. After all, they brought Pro-Bowl safety Jairus Byrd to town during the offseason. The now 28-year old signed a massive six-year, $54 million deal prior to the 2014 campaign. But he could only participate in four games due to tearing his meniscus.

The unit still had standout Kenny Vaccaro at the other safety, but the front-seven rivaled the worst in the league. For all of Ryan’s elaborate blitz schemes, the Saints could only muster 34 sacks – down considerably from the 49 sacks the team amassed in 2013 in Ryan’s first season with the club.

The team must get some defensive help in there as soon as possible; and that means selecting a difference maker with the No. 13 selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Usually, a No. 13 selection could viewed as a spot to mix and match team need with best overall player. However, New Orleans is in the unenviable position that defense is mandatory.

The names being bandied about at the moment are edge rusher Bud Dupree and cornerback Trae Waynes. Both players would be welcomed additions.

The shock of the offseason came from Sean Payton and these Saints when they sent Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham packing. Sending him to the Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger and the No. 31 overall selection put the entire league on notice.

While many are now dubbing Seattle as stronger, I firmly believe New Orleans put together a sneaky good deal.

Unger is a fantastic center. Coupled with Drew Brees‘ tendency to step-up into the pocket, that acquisition will go a long way for the offense. No question Graham will be missed, but already at 28-years old and recently seeing nagging injuries, they clearly decided to trade him at his highest value.

It hurts the skill positions, but with Brees still in control they’ll be able to get by.

Defense, defense, and more defense will be the name of the game for Payton and the Saints during the draft.

Next: Rex Ryan Fires First Of Many Shot In Jets Direction

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