New Orleans Saints: 5 offseason needs

By John Buhler | Feb 28, 2017

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) celebrates with wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints inside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tackling presence at middle linebacker

The Saints may have two players they like at middle linebacker in Craig Robertson and Nate Stupar, but they just don’t have the upside required to really transform the middle of the New Orleans defense.

Middle linebacker has long been seen as the core of an NFL defense. However, that has changed to some degree in recent years due to the NFL game becoming increasingly passing centric. Nevertheless, it would serve the Saints to target a middle linebacker in free agency or in the upcoming draft.

New Orleans has been persistently the worst defense in football honestly since winning the Super Bowl almost a decade ago. The Saints have an absolute stud at defensive end in Cameron Jordan, but even a talent as good as he is cannot coverup all the inefficiencies of the New Orleans defense.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Saints use a second or third-round pick on an undersized speed linebacker in the draft. In short, they’d be looking to land a guy like native son Deion Jones is for the arch rival Atlanta Falcons. A strong tackler in the middle of the gridiron is one way to get this Saints defense back on track after half a decade of disappointment.

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