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5 perfect NFL fits for Christian Hackenberg

By Charles Rahrig V

Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) celebrates a five-yard touchdown run in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) celebrates a five-yard touchdown run in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

4. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are another team that drafted a young quarterback in the middle rounds of the 2015 draft, when they selected Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 draft. However, the Saints are going to need to start prepping for life without Drew Brees, which means they can’t just pin all their hopes on Grayson to be the guy in New Orleans for the future.

Adding a strong quarterback like Hackenberg in a middle round, if he’s available, wouldn’t be a bad move for the New Orleans Saints. They could allow him and Grayson to grow with each other and maybe even supplant Luke McCown as the team’s backup.

The Saints have done a nice job of addressing their offensive line in recent drafts and with the addition of Max Unger through the Jimmy Graham deal with the Seahawks, and could have a nice line shaping up in the future. That’s important for a young quarterback to have, as many careers have never taken off due to a lack of protection.

It’s hard to say if Sean Payton will still be coach next year right now, but if he is he could do wonders with a guy like Hackenberg. The Saints have plenty of wide receivers that can get down the field with speed and if the team has pieces for a nice running game in Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower and C.J. Spiller to make a quarterback’s job easier.

The potential is there in New Orleans for a guy like Hackenberg to succeed. The Saints should have their eye on the future and life without Brees, while they try to make one last run with him.

Next: 3. Chicago Bears

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