/With two first rounders and four top 100 picks, Saints can get better fast

With two first rounders and four top 100 picks, Saints can get better fast

They are your best friend. Make sure you use them wisely. Their future is dependent on them. With a Super Bowl-caliber defense, the Saints can go deep in playoffs with an improved offense. If they draft smartly, that’s possible. Remember that the Saints also have No. 49 pick in round two and the No. 99 picks in the third round. With some smart selections, there is a chance to pick at least three starters. You might be asking: Who should the Saints choose? Which positions? Quarterback? This is what draft experts expect, but I would not. It’s unlikely, at least not in the early stages. Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in the 2015 draft has more upside than any other quarterback. Winston’s knee injury caused the Saints to drop from 4-2 to 5-2. Winston had thrown 11 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. He did this despite not possessing a top-shelf NFL wide receiver. This is a sign that Winston is good enough for a win — provided he continues to improve under Sean Payton. Let’s help Winston, with a tackle to protect him, and a deep threat for his long balls. The Saints’ No. The Saints No. 1 priority should be a wide receiver, to compliment Michael Thomas who is back after last season. Jameson Williams from Alabama would be my first choice. However, he might be long gone by time the Saints decide. He is the Saints’ deep threat. Some will suggest that the Saints move up higher to get the best wide receiver possible. I wouldn’t. They can achieve a high-value wideout with the No. 16 pick. Williams is not available, so maybe Chris Olave of Ohio State or Garrett Wilson. Treylon Burkes from Arkansas is a favorite of the Saints, and should be available with No. 19 pick. Burkes is often compared to the 49ers’ Debo Sam. A Debo could be useful for the Saints. Who wouldn’t want one? An offensive tackle could be useful for the Saints as well. They desperately need one. Terron Armstead (the great, but often-injured, left tackle) has moved to Miami, filling a huge gap. I believe the Saints will make Ryan Ramczyk their right tackle to replace Armstead. They still need a tackle. Charles Cross of Mississippi State? If he was available, I would take him. He will probably be gone by the time that the Saints pick. Keep in mind Tyler Smith of Tulsa. He is loved by the Saints. He could even slip to the No. 49th round pick. Many draft experts see Smith as a good starter in two to three years. According to the Saints, Smith is much more than that. The Saints have two most pressing needs: wide receiver and offensive tackle. All bets are off, however, if Georgia’s defensive tackle Jordan Davis (the physical freak of the draft) falls to No. 16 pick. Dennis Allen, the new Saints head coach, is a defensive guy. I don’t think Allen would let me pass on a 6-foot-6, 345-pound beast with an 81 inch wingspan, who runs like a linebacker. Davis will lead double-teams wherever he goes. For the Saints, this would mean that Marcus Davenport and Cam Jordan will have to compete to be the quarterback. This would open up wide lanes for Demario Davis to blitz through. Jordan Davis could become for the Saints Aaron Donald’s Rams counterpart. You should take him if you can. According to mock drafts, he is likely to be. Other players to be aware of: The Saints need another draft, similar to the one from five years ago. Do you remember 2017? Remember 2017? The Saints are now a Super Bowl contender with a similar draft in 2022, although it is unlikely.