NFL Draft 2011: New Orleans Saints Shopping for Defensive End, Secondary Help

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The Saints gave up the seventh-fewest points in the league in 2010, yet several positions on defense are receiving special attention as the draft draws near.

One concern is bolstering a pass rush that produced a modest 33 sacks last season. Candidates for the job abound, but it remains to be seen how many will still be around by the time the Saints receive their turn on the clock.

Several teams that include the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Chargers, and Patriots may hunt for an end in the first round, so the odds an Adrian Clayborn, Ryan Kerrigan, J.J. Watt, or Robert Quinn being available at No. 24 are slim.

One interesting possibility for New Orleans, according to Walter Football, is Arizona end Brooks Reed, who the site compares to former TCU star Jerry Hughes, now with Indianapolis.

The Saints could also use some beef up front at defensive tackle, a spot befitting of Corey Liuget or Muhummad Wilkerson, who has recently ascended draft boards. And don't rule out former Baylor tackle Phil Taylor, whom B/R's very own Zachary Rymer writes is getting looks from the Saints, despite being more of a true 3-4 nose tackle.

Aside from the front four, New Orleans also has potential holes to fill in the secondary, due to the potential departures of Roman Harper and Darren Sharper.

For more on the NFL Draft: 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing Experts Picks from Around the Web

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