New Orleans Saints' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future

The 2015 NFL draft is quickly approaching, and the New Orleans Saints will be looking to build for the future throughout the three-day event. 

Thus far, this offseason has been one of significant change for coach Sean Payton's club, as the New Orleans front office has been highly active throughout free agency.

Despite the numerous changes, the Saints' overhaul is still very much incomplete. Come draft day, general manager Mickey Loomis will be quite the busy man, as his team holds nine draft picks, including three of the first 44 and five of the first 78.

With such a surplus of selections at their disposal, the Saints are in position to bring a formidable collection of young talent to New Orleans. As they build for the future, they will also attempt to further address the weaknesses that prevented them from contending for a championship last season. 

Continue reading for a closer look at these weak spots and areas of concern, complete with analysis of some 2015 draft prospects who will make for nice fits at these positions of need.

Pass-Rusher

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Opposing quarterbacks torched the Saints defense for the majority of the 2014 season. While much of the blame could be placed on the team's abysmal secondary, New Orleans rarely generated a satisfactory pass rush. 

Given the fact that the Saints addressed needs at cornerback, running back and offensive line during free agency, there's a strong possibility that New Orleans will opt to take a pass-rusher with their first pick in the draft. 

There is a surplus of highly rated prospects at the position in this year's class, and the Saints could certainly get a promising young prospect if they stay put at pick No. 13. Of course, they could also elect to trade up into the top 10 in order to grab a player they feel is a can't-miss talent.

Listed here are some of the top prospects at outside linebacker and defensive end, all of whom are candidates to receive a call from New Orleans on opening night of the draft.

Vic Beasley, Clemson

Of all the pass-rushers on the board, Beasley is the best fit for Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's aggressive scheme. Capable of lining up at various spots all over the field, the outside 'backer has an extremely quick first step, and he's much stronger than his lean, 246-pound frame would suggest. 

With Beasley in the fold, Ryan would be able to move him around in a rover position in order to best exploit matchups. 

If the Saints truly want the Clemson product, however, they may have to trade up and move in front of the Atlanta Falcons, who currently hold the eighth pick. Beasley would make for an ideal pick for new Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who, as Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, utilized the similarly built Cliff Avril to near perfection.

But should New Orleans elect to pass on such a trade, all will certainly not be lost, as there are numerous other capable pass-rushers in the class.

Shane Ray, Missouri

Ray is another highly touted edge defender who's likely to be a top-15 pick. The Missouri defensive end is tough and physical at all times, and like Beasley, he's explosive off the line of scrimmage.

When combining his enthusiasm for the game with his elite athleticism, it's not hard to envision Ray developing into a nightmarish assignment for NFL offensive tackles. He may not be available when the Saints make their pick at No. 13, but if he is, it will no doubt be difficult for them to pass on him. 

Bud Dupree, Kentucky

The 6'4", 269-pound Dupree is a very realistic option for New Orleans at its current spot in the draft order. The former Wildcat standout isn't quite as polished as Beasley and Ray at this point in his career, but he has every bit as much upside. 

He possesses freakish athleticism, and he lowers the boom on ball-carriers and quarterbacks alike with stunning closing speed. Some aspects of his game, such as his choices of pursuit angles, could stand some fine-tuning, but Dupree has the potential to be an outstanding edge-setter in the league. 

And fortunately for the Saints, there's a good chance he'll be there for the taking at No. 13 in the first round. 

Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Gregory is one of several pass-rushers who could hear his name called early on in the first round. At 6'5", he has ideal length for an edge-rusher, and his impressive strength at the point of attack jumps out on film. Unlike many talented edge players, he's equally as strong against the run as he is against the pass. 

Thanks to a failed drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine, his stock may have dipped a bit as of late, but he's still a good bet to be a top-15 pick. 

Inside Linebacker

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In a salary cap-inspired move, the Saints released starting inside linebacker Curtis Lofton just before free agency began.  

The team subsequently acquired the versatile Dannell Ellerbe in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, but it still needs an injection of youth at this position. The late first round (pick No. 31) or early second round (No. 44) would be an opportune time to pull the trigger on a talented young player.

Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Anthony is a strong candidate to be taken in Round 2, but there's a slight chance he could jump into the late first round. New Orleans has already reportedly worked him out, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

At 6'3" and 243 pounds, he has adequate build for an inside 'backer. He plays with an attacking style that could make for a great fit in Ryan's scheme, and he displays solid tackling technique. 

Anthony turned heads at the combine with an impressive all-around performance. He would be a nice pickup for the Saints in the second round, but if they're determined to bring him to New Orleans, they may have to go ahead and grab him with their No. 31 overall pick in Round 1.

Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

McKinney is another potential selection for New Orleans in the early second round. Although still raw, he's a highly versatile athlete with significant upside. He played in the middle on the majority of snaps for Mississippi State, but he demonstrated an ability to blitz off the edge on occasion. 

He's quite agile for a 246-pounder, and at 6'4", he has exceptional length. He was picked on at times in pass coverage at the collegiate level, however, which doesn't bode well for his chances of developing into a complete, three-down linebacker for the Saints. 

Denzel Perryman, Miami

If the Saints pass on Anthony and McKinney, they could very well have their sights on Perryman as a potential target in Round 2 or Round 3. 

The 2014 All-ACC linebacker possesses great instincts, and he's as tough as nails against the run. His 5'11" height is far from ideal, but he plays with enough physicality to compensate for his lack of size. He's shown flashes of solid coverage skills, which would certainly come in handy in the pass-heavy NFC South. In addition, he's a team-first player who was chosen as a captain for the Hurricanes this past season.

Wide Receiver

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With the unexpected trades of Jimmy Graham and starting wide receiver Kenny Stills in the opening week of free agency, quarterback Drew Brees was suddenly left with a shortage of receiving targets. 

Wideouts Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks and Nick Toon are back, but Brees will definitely need another weapon to look to now that Stills is no longer available as a legitimate deep threat on the outside. While this year's crop of receivers isn't as deep as the 2014 group, there are still some impressive prospects on the draft board, one of whom could end up donning the black and gold in 2015. 

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

If the Saints decide Strong is their man, they'll probably have to snag him with their second first-round selection, which is pick No. 31 overall. 

Simply put, there's a lot to like about him. He possesses greater than adequate height at 6'2", and with his imposing 217-pound frame, he's capable of having his way with smaller cornerbacks. 

He's an explosive athlete with exceptional leaping ability, and he can operate on the outside or in the slot. As if all this wasn't enough, he also has excellent hands.

With Brees' extraordinary ability to throw larger receivers open, Strong would make for a great fit in the Saints offense. 

Breshad Perriman, Central Florida

At 6'2" and 212 pounds, Perriman is another solidly built wideout who would plug smoothly into Sean Payton's pass offense. He has the ability to post up smaller cover men, and like Strong, he has impressive jumping ability. 

In addition to his attributes as a possession receiver, he has big-play potential, which would be well-suited for the vertical elements of the Saints' complex passing game. 

He's probably a late-first- or early-second-round pick, but don't be surprised if another team snatches him up well before the Saints pick for the second time at No. 31. 

Phillip Dorsett, Miami

While Strong and Perriman are both big receivers, Dorsett is an entirely different type of wideout, and New Orleans couldn't go wrong by adding him to its arsenal of offensive weapons.

The former Hurricanes standout is a surefire home run threat. His combine 40 time of 4.33, along with his Miami pro day time of 4.25, demonstrates his top-end speed. 

At 5'10", he's built more in the mold of Cooks than Colston, and he can play in the slot and on the outside. If the Saints bring Dorsett on board, NFC South defensive coordinators would be none too thrilled, as he and Cooks could conceivably form one of the league's most explosive young receiving duos.

Offensive Line

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Brees faced pressure like never before last season, as opposing defenders too often took advantage of New Orleans' insufficient interior pass protection.  

While newcomer Max Unger should help improve the situation, the Saints could still look to build for the future by bringing in another interior lineman. 

This year's draft class is sprinkled with some impressive offensive line prospects, and New Orleans will likely place a call to at least one of them over the course of the event. 

La'el Collins, LSU

If New Orleans elects to bolster its offensive line at pick No. 13 in the first round, Collins could be the man who gets the call. The 2014 first-team All-SEC selection is strong and athletic, and he excels in both pass-protection and run-blocking. He also plays the game with a noticeable mean streak that's always desirable in an offensive lineman. 

Despite the fact that he played on the outside during his latter years at LSU, he projects as a guard at the next level.

While Jahri Evans will man the right guard slot, the Saints left guard position for 2015 could be decided in an open competition next fall. Tim Lelito, who served as a backup in 2014, is the current favorite to nab the spot, but that could quickly change if Collins is brought on board. 

Laken Tomlinson, Duke

A standout at the Senior Bowl in January, Tomlinson would make for an excellent choice in the second or third round. He would give the Saints a true road-grader at the guard position, and he's also quite capable of holding his own in pass protection against interior bull-rushers. 

He could have some difficulties against quicker interior pass-rushers at the next level, but given his other strengths, he's a valuable commodity as a dependable run-blocker.

Ali Marpet, Hobart and William Smith

Another guard widely projected to be selected in the second or third round is Marpet, who comes from the small college ranks. Despite the fact that he didn't compete against elite competition at the collegiate level, there's plenty to like about the athletic interior lineman. 

For starters, he's a polished, technically sound prospect. He also uses his hands well, and he appears to possess strong leadership qualities. 

He'll likely be an asset to whichever team chooses him, regardless of whether or not he earns an immediate starting job. 

Cornerback

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When New Orleans entered the offseason, the cornerback spot was probably the team's most glaring weakness.

The Saints addressed the position in a big way with the signing of veteran free-agent cover man Brandon Browner, who is expected to start in 2015 opposite Keenan Lewis on the outside. They also brought in Delvin Breaux and Kyle Wilson, both of whom will be given a shot to earn a roster spot come fall. 

Depth in the defensive backfield is highly important, however, and New Orleans may not be completely finished tweaking its cornerback depth chart. The Saints could choose to bring in another cover man in the the draft, in which case the following corners would all likely receive hard looks from Mickey Loomis and Co.

Ronald Darby, Florida State

Darby's greatest asset is his blazing speed. Clocked at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, he was a high school track star in Maryland before committing to play football for the Seminoles. 

In addition to his straight-line speed, he can change direction in impressive fashion, and he has the requisite instincts to play man coverage in Rob Ryan's defense. 

He needs to improve on his tackling, but Darby is an exceptional athlete with the potential to develop into a starter in New Orleans.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon

Ekpre-Olumu is an intriguing middle-round possibility for New Orleans, and like Darby, he has the ability to play the press-man coverage Ryan so often requires from his corners. 

While on the short side at 5'9", he's solidly built, and he excels in run support. 

He's still recovering from a December knee injury, but given his well-balanced skill set and competitive nature, he could prove to be a steal in Round 3 or 4. 

D'Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic

Another corner prospect who would make for a nice fit in New Orleans' defense is Smith, who thrives in man coverage schemes. 

He's an aggressive, highly confident player who appears to enjoy getting physical with receivers. He also displays a knack for locating the ball in the air.

Smith didn't face top-level competition at Florida Atlantic, but he has the all-around game to make his mark as a nickel corner for the Saints.   

Tight End

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In one of the most highly publicized offseason moves in the entire league, New Orleans traded away star tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks on the opening day of free agency. 

While 2014 backup Josh Hill is certainly no substitute for Graham, the Idaho State product demonstrated some promise last year in his second NFL season during his limited playing time. Hill may be capable of sliding into a starting role as the Saints' primary receiving tight end, but that doesn't mean the front office won't address the position in the draft. The third, fourth or fifth round would be an excellent time to bring in another tight end to team with Hill and Benjamin Watson.

Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State

This year's crop of tight ends is light on potential starting talent, but Heuerman is among the top prospects in the class. A well-rounded player, he makes for a sizable target at 6'5", and he's quick and agile for a 250-plus-pounder. 

He possesses adequate skills as both a run-blocker and pass-blocker, and he's capable of unleashing a vicious stiff-arm in the open field. 

Jesse James, Penn State

At 6'7" and 261 pounds, James possesses almost identical size to Graham.

As a receiver, he's a nice fit for the Saints due to his ability to exploit defenses via the seam route. He made some nifty catches in traffic during his time in Happy Valley, and he holds the school record at Penn State for touchdown catches by a tight end (11). 

On the downside, his run-after-catch potential isn't very promising, and he too often has difficulty getting separation. 

Nick O'Leary, Florida State

The versatile O'Leary is a bit of a throwback tight end in that he's a complete football player. As a blocker, he's tough and physical, and he displays excellent technique. As a receiver, he fights for every inch after he secures the catch. 

Although he likely won't hear his name called in the first four rounds, O'Leary is the type of team-first player who would make for a strong addition to any club, including New Orleans. 

Nose Guard/Defensive Tackle

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At nose guard, the Saints will have 2014 starter Brodrick Bunkley and backup John Jenkins back in the fold this coming season. The latter struggled considerably when given extended playing time, and although it isn't a given that New Orleans will address the position in the draft, it's certainly possible.

This year's class of nose guards and defensive tackles has its share of notable prospects. The Saints could find themselves in position to draft any one of them, with the exception of USC's Leonard Williams, who may be the first defensive player off the board.

Danny Shelton, Washington

Williams may be out of reach, but Shelton is a dominant defensive lineman in his own right, and there's a slight chance he could fall to New Orleans. In all likelihood, however, the Saints will have to trade up several spots if they want to nab the 6'2", 339-pound run-stuffer. But if presented with such an opportunity, Loomis might not be able to resist pulling the trigger. 

Shelton would instantly upgrade the New Orleans defensive front. Strong and powerful, he's exceptionally quick for a player his size, and he's capable of fending off double teams with regularity. 

He would certainly make for an interesting choice for the Saints in Round 1, but given his talent, such a move would be difficult to second-guess.

Ellis McCarthy, UCLA

While Shelton is as close to a can't-miss nose guard prospect as there is in the draft, McCarthy is a project, although he would make for an intriguing late-round selection. 

Standing 6'5" and weighing 338 pounds, he has the size and strength to fill two gaps as a 0-technique nose guard. He has uncommon versatility for a player of his size, however, and he can line up at multiple positions along the defensive front. 

The big drawback on McCarthy is his lack of experience. He started only eight games for the Bruins, and the fact that he declared for the draft after an average junior campaign came as a surprise. 

Quarterback

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Brees has only two years on his current deal. Even though New Orleans could opt to restructure his contract and extend him following the 2015 season, it isn't too early to begin searching for a potential successor. 

This year's quarterback class is headlined by Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, but there are some less heralded signal-callers who could have bright NFL futures. While the Saints already have 33-year-old Luke McCown and third-year player Ryan Griffin on the roster, it wouldn't be surprising if they brought in another quarterback in the middle to late rounds of the draft.

Bryce Petty, Baylor

In terms of fitting the Saints' offensive system, there are few, if any, 2015 prospects who would make for a better fit than Petty. 

In college, he displayed exceptional command of Baylor's timing-based, pass-heavy offense. When he worked his way into a rhythm, he was almost impossible to stop. His arm is good enough to make all the necessary throws, and he also demonstrates strong leadership qualities. 

Sean Mannion, Oregon State

At 6'6", Mannion has the look of a prototypical pro-style quarterback, and he appears to be worthy of a mid- to late-round pick. 

His most impressive attribute is his arm strength, but he also displays nice touch on his passes. Both of these traits would be welcomed in New Orleans. He started in 47 games over the course of four seasons as the Beavers signal-caller, and he ran a complex offense that required him to operate from under center as well as from the shotgun.