The New Orleans Saints are one broken tackle from competing in the NFC Title game. After he heart-breaking loss, the best team from the NFC South must address a shallow linebacker unit, an aging receiver corps, some free agent losses, and need in their offensive line.
The Saints also lack a second round pick to address any concerns. So, this first round pick must hit the biggest need. The linebackers appear to be that need. While there are a few other players that seem to fit the Saints needs, this is both practical and not that far of a reach.
Leighton Vander Esch has good speed for a 6-3, 240 pound ‘backer (4.67 forty). He is versatile and a prospect who made great strides this past year. Not really on the first-round radar in 2016, he has played his way into the conversation. Vander Esch hasn’t played against the best competition, but he looks like a gamer, both physically, and on tape.
I wanted to select Christian Kirk, wide receiver, here, but the Saints just traded away an under six foot speedster, Brandin Cooks, to New England. I don’t know if they feel the need to draft a receiver that high at this point.