The New Orleans Saints posted a 7-9 record for the second consecutive year, missing the postseason for the third time in the past four seasons. The Saints finished the 2015 regular season with the eighth highest scoring offense in the league, but struggled on the defensive side of the ball, giving up the most points in the NFL.
The Saints have already made some moves to bolster the defensive side of the ball by acquiring talented linebacker James Laurinaitis in free agency, but still have plenty of needs as they head into the 2016 season. One of the biggest issues Saints general manager Mickey Loomis will need to address this offseason is the team's pass rush, as New Orleans finished 25th in the league with only 31 team sacks last season.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan recorded 10 of those sacks, and New Orleans should look add another pass rusher with the 12th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. One player to keep an eye on that could be a strong fit in New Orleans' defense is Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson. Multiple draft analysts have projected the Tigers pass rusher to land with the Saints in the first round in mock drafts, and the move would make sense as he would add an immediate presence to New Orleans' defensive front.
The 6-foot-3, 269-pound defensive end created havoc for opposing offenses in college, and consistently created pressure behind the line of scrimmage, as he recorded 24.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks his junior season. Lawson impressed scouts at the 2016 NFL Combine by running a 4.70 40-yard dash, ranking fourth among defensive linemen.
The Tigers pass rusher would mesh well opposite Jordan on the Saints defensive line, and with quarterbacks like the Panthers' Cam Newton, Falcons' Matt Ryan, and Buccaneers' Jameis Winston in the division, the need for a pass rush in New Orleans is crucial. It will be interesting to see how far Lawson slides in the draft, as many project him as a first-round talent, but he could still be on the board for the Saints at 12. Lawson is reportedly expected to work out with the Carolina Panthers and and San Francisco 49ers this week, but the Saints are also expected meet with the coveted pass rusher.
The Saints likely have Lawson already on their big board, and if he somehow slips to them with the 12th pick, New Orleans' front office should not hesitate to select him, as he would make a strong addition in an area of its defense that clearly needs help.
