May 24, 2021
The New Orleans Saints have been looking for a game-breaking tight end since they traded All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks after the 2014 season.
New Orleans had moderate success with Benjamin Watson, Coby Fleener, and Jared Cook, with Cook even earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2019. None of those players could ever be the consistent receiving mismatch that Graham provided for the Saints offense.
New Orleans moved back into the 3rd round of the 2020 NFL Draft by trading all four of their Day-3 selections to the Minnesota Vikings. They used the 105th overall pick to draft the University of Dayton s tight end Adam Trautman.
May 25, 2021
The New Orleans Saints have had a great deal of success finding wide receiver talent from late-round draft picks or undrafted rookies - this is particularly true since head coach Sean Payton took over the franchise in 2006.
Marques Colston, a 7th round choice in 2006, would become one of the best players in franchise history.
Lance Moore, Willie Snead, Brandon Coleman, and Deonte Harris were all undrafted but had success in the New Orleans offense.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway (12) runs the ball as Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White (45) defends. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY
Last season the Saints may have unearthed another undrafted gem at wide receiver in rookie Marquez Callaway.
The NFC South is a highly competitive division in the NFL.
The most active and highly contentious rivalry has always been between the Saints and the Falcons.
On Monday, New Orleans fans did not shed a tear at the news of Julio Jones desire to be traded from Atlanta.
For many Who Dats, Jones intentions were heard and welcomed during a live call on Fox Sports Undisputed with from Shannon Sharpe and listened in by co-host Skip Bayless.
If he departs the NFC South, he would be one less headache for the Saints secondary to handle twice a year.
THOMAS- JONES DUO?
The New Orleans Saints had the NFL s deepest crew of defensive tackles in 2020.
Their interior depth allowed the defensive line to stay fresh late in games and gave them a decided advantage up front.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is tackled by New Orleans defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY
In the offseason, New Orleans defensive front took a hit when they lost defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to the Jets in free agency.
Later, the team traded run-stuffer Malcom Brown because of salary cap issues.
New Orleans has star defensive tackle David Onyemata returning but didn t add another interior defender in free agency or the draft outside of promising undrafted rookie DT Lorenzo Neal, Jr.
May 22, 2021
Defensive end Carl Granderson was expected to be a potential second-day pick by experts leading up to the 2018 NFL draft.
Unfortunately, Granderson had some legal issues that caused him to fall out of the draft entirely.
The New Orleans Saints signed the talented University of Wyoming product as an undrafted rookie who had 16.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in college.
Granderson served a six-month sentence as part of a plea bargain from a college incident and would miss training camp and part of his rookie season.
Carolina quarterback P.J. Walker (6) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports