NFL
Every NFL Team's 2017 Draft Needs Based on Analytics
All 32 teams have holes going into this offseason. Which are the most glaring?

New Orleans Saints

Top Needs: TE, ILB, OLB, CB

The New Orleans Saints had a typical season for them in 2016: incredible, impeccable offensive performances whose high-flying ways were undone by a lackluster and lagging defense. They could’ve gotten better production from the tight end position for sure, where Coby Fleener and Josh Hill turned in just the 12th-best Reception NEP per target. That's a small nit to pick, though, all things considered.

The Saints have major holes to fill on the defense still -- despite converting to a 4-3, which suits them much better. Relying on Craig Robertson for nearly 1,000 linebacker snaps is not a recipe for success, and yet they had to ask coverage linebackers like him to stop the run; they churned out the 19th-best Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play.

Outside of Delvin Breaux, the cornerbacks were a mess too, ranking 30th in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play. The Saints have to fix this unit in order to compete at all with their current team core.

Prev Next

Related News

Which Quarterback From the 2017 Draft Class Is Statistically Superior?

Jim Sannes  --  Feb 27th, 2017

Which Draft-Hopeful Running Backs Produced Like NFL Studs in College?

JJ Zachariason  --  Feb 27th, 2017

Which Draft-Hopeful Wide Receivers Produced Like NFL Studs in College?

JJ Zachariason  --  Feb 27th, 2017