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5 Biggest New Orleans Saints Draft Needs Before 2015 NFL Free Agency

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5 Biggest New Orleans Saints Draft Needs Before 2015 NFL Free Agency

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The New Orleans Saints are in a world of hurt when it comes to the salary cap, so any potential improvements are likely to come through the draft and not free agency. Here are the top five needs that the Saints must address.

5. Inside Linebacker

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5. Inside Linebacker

New Orleans Saints
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The Saints’ defense was eviscerated in 2014, and the lack of a strong presence in the middle was one of the main reasons why. Mississippi State’s Bernardrick McKinney would be a great fit, but that would mean using a second-round pick on him. New Orleans could wait until later in the draft to take an inside linebacker, but that would be a risky gamble.

4. Running Back

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4. Running Back

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Pierre Thomas has been released, and Mark Ingram is looking to get paid on the free agent market, leaving Khiry Robinson as the main back still on the roster going into 2015. Robinson can’t carry the load on his own, so finding a running back in this year’s amazingly deep class is a must.

3. Center

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3. Center

New Orleans Saints
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Jonathan Goodwin didn’t play well last season, and at 36 years of age, it doesn’t appear that he is going to be brought back, meaning that the Saints need to find a new rock for the center of the line. Andy Gallik is the consensus pick here considering his style of play and where he projects to come off the board.

2. Cornerback

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2. Cornerback

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The Saints’ secondary was abysmal last season, and if New Orleans doesn’t bring in some fresh blood on the outside, there isn’t much hope for improvement. Expect the Saints to address the cornerback position early in the draft, most likely on Day 2. Tulane’s own Lorenzo Doss could be the pick.

1. Edge Rusher

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1. Edge Rusher

New Orleans Saints
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The Saints are in desperate need of a true outside pass-rushing presence, and as fate would have it, this is the draft to find a gem. A number of outlets have mocked Vic Beasley to the Saints, and as long as he is on the board, he will be the pick. Other options include Shane Ray, Dante Fowler Jr. and Bud Dupree, but no matter what, the Saints are all but certain to address this need in the first round.

Alexander Christian is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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