2021 NFL Draft: Why defensive line could be Saints biggest need
The New Orleans Saints’ last three top picks were on the line, and it wouldn’t be overly surprising if their No. 28 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft is as well.
Over the last half a decade, the Saints have drafted very well.
With Trey Hendrickson, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and several others all coming via the draft, the Saints have been able to do what no other team in their division has before — win four straight NFC South titles.
While that’s sadly not translated into many playoff victories for the franchise, it has kept them in contention. The 2021 draft, in terms of the future impact it will have on the franchise, will be no different.
As we’ve seen the franchise do before, they don’t necessarily take the position fans think they will. Last season, it was assumed that linebacker or cornerback may have been their first-round target. They again went offensive line.
This time around, it could be a similar story, just with defensive line, and there are two reasons why. The first is because they may not be able to retain Trey Hendrickson, a standout defensive end that had a career-high 13.5 sacks in 2020.
Hendrickson’s success is at least in part due to Cameron Jordan‘s impact on the other end of the line. Nonetheless, he was a bully this season, and he’ll be paid like one. With the Saints $74 million in the red on the cap, they may not be able to bring him back.
The second is because of the cap-tightening process they will go through.
That could leave defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on the outside and looking for a new home. Rankins was a former first-round pick for the Saints, and he’s played a major impact for the team when healthy.
The 26-year-old only played in over 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in six games this season. After starting 32 straight games in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Rankins played in just 22 games these past two seasons.
Rankins will have a hot market, and if he can’t return, the Saints will either be rocking with Malcom Brown or they’ll be looking to the draft for help in the middle of their defensive line.
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Christian Barmore could be an option. The big man from Alabama may fit perfectly within a winning organization. That said, it’s a position that, when Rankins inevitably leaves, the Saints will have to replace and the draft will be the perfect opportunity to do just that.