The New Orleans Saints have a lot of eyes on them right now. The recent Derek Carr update put plenty of pressure on them to find their next answer at the quarterback position, if Kellen Moore does not see Spencer Rattler as that.
With that, there have been consistent updates on New Orleans' draft plans. They can go in a ton of directions, but Adam Schefter revealed a potential piece to their plan for a rookie class.
Adam Schefter discusses Shedeur & the Saints
"There is a scenario in which Friday night could be more interesting and active for quarterbacks than Thursday night. If fewer quarterbacks are drafted in Round 1, Rounds 2 and 3 set up to be explosive. Currently, the Browns are scheduled to hold pick No. 33, Friday night's opening selection. The Giants are next at No. 34, and the Saints are scheduled to pick No. 40 but already are making calls about trading up. In the eyes of some around the league, It's possible there could be more signal-callers selected in the first eight picks on Friday than there are in the 32 picks on Thursday."
-- Schefter via ESPN
If the Saints want to take an approach focused a bit more on pure talent for round one, they may look away from quarterback.
New Orleans has shown a lot of interest in Penn State TE Tyler Warren. A pass rusher, like Mykel Williams or James Pearce Jr., could be on their radar, too. Not to mention, Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron, both cornerbacks, have quietly risen on draft boards in recent weeks. The Saints could use CB help, too.
Other needs for New Orleans
If New Orleans doesn't go quarterback with the ninth selection, where else could they be thinking? Do they need to improve in the trenches? What about a young secondary addition?
Schefter mentioned an offensive or defensive lineman in round one for New Orleans - if they choose to wait a bit longer on QB. That could make some sense.
There is a belief around the league that the Saints are more interested in using a high pick on an offensive or defensive lineman, because there are questions about two starters: tackle Trevor Penning and guard Nick Saldiveri. The belief is they want to draft a quarterback -- just maybe not at No. 9, and maybe not Sanders. As another personnel executive said: "I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur. I think they're hot and heavy on Jaxson Dart."
This sort of statement could mean that New Orleans is posturing to throw teams off their scent, too. Maybe, they want to take a QB at nine but do not want other teams to believe that they do to prevent a trade up in front of them.
The Carolina Panthers at pick eight have shown an interest in moving back. Regardless, I see offensive line as less of a need at the moment than interior defensive line and cornerback for New Orleans.
At ninth overall, I do not see the value in the offensive tackle prospects expected to be on the board there. Offensive guard is a bigger need for the Saints anyway, and that can be addressed on day two.
Meanwhile, the interior DL was a massive weakness a season ago. Bryan Bresee is an emerging player, but his run defense struggled mightily a season ago. Plus, the secondary is quite young for the Saints, particularly at cornerback. Drafting a CB in round one could push Alontae Taylor back to the slot, where he has often thrived in his pro career.
The roads are vast for the Saints when it comes to their plan for early in this year's draft. Kellen Moore must avoid a detour if he wants to find success in the future for New Orleans.
