2021 NFL Draft: 3 players New Orleans Saints need to target
By Mike Luciano
The New Orleans Saints have a pivotal 2021 NFL draft ahead of them.
The New Orleans Saints were once again among the best in the NFL, riding an efficient passing game from Drew Brees and a stifling defense to the postseason once more.
Unfortunately, the Saints could see their patented formula for success start to fade away, as Brees’ age and the fact they are laughably exceeding the league’s salary cap could force them to part ways with a few veterans from their 2020 squad. However, if those vets are replenished with picks in the incredibly important 2021 NFL Draft, the Saints could soon be on the road to contention very soon.
These 3 players could end up on the Saints after the 2021 NFL Draft
804. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. Asante Samuel Jr.. player. Florida State. 3
Yes, you’re that old. While his father was a tremendous ballhawk for some elite New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles teams, Samuel is forging a bath all his own, establishing himself as a sticky man-coverage corner that offers a surprising amount of boom in his pads for a corner of his stature. While his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame might make it difficult for him to stick on the outside, he appears to have been molded from birth to play slot corner in the NFL. With defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, who was himself an undersized corner in his day, and DC Dennis Allen running nickel on a majority of their snaps, Samuel could slide right into the starting lineup.
While Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has become an invaluable piece to the New Orleans secondary since his puzzling fall in the draft, the selection of Samuel could allow Gardner-Johnson to move into a traditional safety role. Not only is that the position he played in college, but it could help the transition away from the aging Malcolm Jenkins.
The Saints will need to figure out their non-Brees offensive identity, but most of their cap casualties next year will likely come on the defensive side of the ball, and cornerback Janoris Jenkins might number among them. With or without the two Jenkins in the defensive backfield, some new blood is needed if New Orleans wants to remain elite in that category, and Samuel could help patch up the defense and replicate the success his father had.