3 sleepers Saints drafted who could become stars

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the snap over the defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up on the sideline in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

1. QB Ian Book (Notre Dame)

Drew Brees is one of only three players in NFL history (Tom Brady and Peyton Manning) to total at least 10,000 career passing attempts. He was remarkably durable during his stay with the Saints but the past two years, a broken thumb and rib injuries pushed Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill into the starting lineup for a few weeks.

Presumably, it’s now up to talented but mistake-prone Jameis Winston to guide the Saints’ ship. The last time we saw the first overall pick in 2015 was in ’19, when he led the NFL in passing yards and interceptions for Tampa Bay.

Winston could certainly flourish in Payton’s system and he should also learn something about taking care of the football. Hill remains the wild card and a jack-of-all-trades. But could this be a year in which the new-look Saints wind up utilizing three different quarterbacks and things aren’t so easy in the Big Easy?

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Rookie Ian Book was a fourth-round pick this year and he put up some solid numbers in his final three seasons with the Fighting Irish. He threw for a combined 8,498 yards and 68 scores but was picked off just 16 times. He also ran for 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns. He could be a player to watch this summer for Payton’s squad.

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