Every NFL Team's 2017 Draft Needs Based on Analytics
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.
