Top 10 areas for Saints to address in 2018 offseason

With the sting of the incredible loss at Minnesota now lessening a bit, it is time to take a look at how the New Orleans Saints continue their progression toward becoming a championship team once again in 2018.

It appears that the Saints will pick 27th in the first round of the NFL draft. They will play a tougher, first-place schedule in 2018. Coming off of a solid offseason in 2016 and a brilliant offseason in 2017, if the Saints can hit on the draft and free agency in 2018, there is no reason to believe that they will not be legitimate contenders to win the Super Bowl in 2019, providing Drew Brees is back and that would appear certain.

If the Saints had posted another 7-9 mark or another losing season, the organization would have had ample reason to consider allowing Brees to leave, despite the fact that he set an NFL record for completion percentage this past season and still played an elite level. Now, with the pieces in place to contend, it is a no-brainer to bring Brees back.

Credit Sean Payton with making hard, tough staff changes which clearly improved his team in 2017, along with intelligent evaluation and player acquisition.

While the defense improved under Dennis Allen, it must improve even more if the Saints hope to be a Super Bowl champion.

In no particular order, here are areas that the Saints will look at possibly addressing in 2018.

1) Another corner. Can Delvin Breaux return and play at a solid NFL level? At this point, you have to have your doubts. He played in just six games in 2016 and did not play at all last season. If Breaux can return, the Saints would appear set at corner. Marshon Lattimore is 21. Ken Crawley is 24. PJ Williams is 24. You can never have enough good cover corners. Justin Hardee (23) has promise as well.

2) Safety. This is all about whether Kenny Vaccaro returns, which is clearly up in the air. With the Saint having to pay Drew Brees, is there enough in the pool for Vaccaro? He is a solid, adequate player but not a star. Marcus Williams is 21. Vonn Bell is 23. Chris Banjo (27) has another year on his deal while Rafael Bush (30) is an unrestricted free agent.

3) More athleticism at linebacker. Can Alex Anzalone remain healthy with his shoulder issues, which date to his college days at Florida? He is a good athlete who can move in space. Craig Robertson is a solid roster player and good at the point of attack but not as much in space. A.J. Klein was an upgrade while Manti Te’o did a solid job in relief and will return. Jonathan Freeny had some good moments and may be worth bringing back. Michael Mauti is a solid special teams player, as is Nate Stupar. Gerald Hodges’ contract is up.

4) Another edge pass rusher. Cameron Jordan had his beat year in the NFL. He was arguably the best overall defensive lineman in the league this year, equally good against the run and pass. Alex Okafor is an unrestricted free agent and coming off a serius injury. Hau’oli Kikaha is coming off an injury once again. The Saints may shop here. Trey Hendrickson has a solid future and the team likes Al-Quadin Muhammad as well.

5) Depth at defensive tackle. Tyler Davision (25), Sheldon Rankins (23) and David Onyemata (25) are solid and young. One more solid rotation guy would be beneficial. The question lingers about Nick Fairley, who would be huge, but at this point, you cannot count on him returning. Woodrow Hamilton and Tony McDaniel are others from this past season’s roster. Hamilton is 25 while McDaniel is 32 and not as likely to return.

6) Depth at offensive tackle. Will Zach Strief return and can be still be the caliber of an NFL starter? He is now 34 and coming off of a serious injury. Can Terron Armstead remain healthy? He is under contract through 2021 and is just 26. He has missed 20 games over the last four seasons and left some games that he played in injured. When healthy, he is an above average left tackle. It is an important position. With Ryan Ramcyzk set to play here for perhaps a decade, the Saints must solidify the other side and depth at the position.

7) Receiving tight end. There is no doubt that Michael Hoomanawanui is a solid blocker in the run game and has helped that improving aspect of the Saints offense. Josh Hill is a solid blocker as well and had a nice playoff run as a receiver but lacks overall receiving skills to threaten a defense. Coby Fleener has the size and receiving skill but is he tough enough? Sean Payton thrived with the likes of Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham and Ben Watson.

8) A solid second or third wide receiver. The curious case of Willie Snead, IV looms here. He is a restricted free agent. Will he return in 2018? Snead was Lance Moore all over again for Drew Brees in 2015 and 2016, combining for 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns. Then, he got suspended to start the 2017 season, fumbled a punt against Tampa Bay early on upon his return and never recovered, finishing with eighth catches for 92 yards. It is not as if Snead is washed-up. Snead is just 25. If Payton knows he can return to his pre-2017 productivity, this is less of a need. Ted Ginn, Jr. will be 33 next season. Can he still be the guy to take the top off of defensive coverages? He had a good season in 2017 with 53 catches for 787 yards and four touchdowns. Michael Thomas is elite. Brandon Coleman blocks well and had moments as a receiver but is a fourth option. Tommylee Lewis is not a factor.

9) Quarterback. Is this the year the Saints try again to find an heir-apparent to Brees or is there real belief that Taysom Hill can be that guy? It is not as if Hill is young. He is 27 and has never played in the league at quarterback. Chase Daniel is a solid backup. Garrett Grayson did not pan out.

10) Depth at running back. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara had remarkable seasons. Is there a third option? Can Trey Edmunds figure as that player? He is 23 and has good size. Can Daniel Lasco return from injury and figure in the mix with is speed? He is 25.