The New Orleans Saints could go in a lot of different directions when the NFL Draft rolls around later this month.
The team's biggest need may be a pass-rusher. The Saints finished last season just 26th in adjusted sack rate, according to Football Outsiders. Junior Gallette (who had 10 sacks) is facing off-field issues and Cameron Jordan (7.5 sacks) is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Another need the Saints may want to address is wide receiver. Kenny Stills, the team's leading receiver in 2014, was traded to the Miami Dolphins. Jimmy Graham was shipped off to the Seattle Seahawks. Drew Brees is lacking in weapons at the moment and this year's draft is deep at receiver.
Two names that could be in play in the first round that fit these needs are Nebraska's Randy Gregory and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong.
"The Saints are in dire need for a pass-rushing presence on the edge," Kevin Weidl of Scouts Inc. wrote. "Although the draft boasts a deep edge-rusher crop, many of them may be off the board by pick 13. Gregory has the highest ceiling of the entire group but will likely still be on the board at this point after failing a drug test at the combine. The Saints have shown the willingness to get rid of key pieces this offseason in an effort to change the culture. They must decide if Gregory's talent would be worth the risk here, or if his off-field red flags are toomuch.
"With the departures of Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills, the Saints will be looking to find a replacement or two for Drew Brees' arsenal. Strong could be an option here with their second first-round pick if still available. He is a big target who consistently wins in contested situations and would help fill the void left by Graham in the red zone."
Gregory has been rumored to be going as high as fifth to the Washington Redskins or as low as No. 12. If the Saints are worried about losing him, or another prospect they are keen on, they could always trade up the draft board.
"Just because the Saints have been stockpiling picks this offseason, that doesn't mean they'll use them all," Mike Triplett of NFL Nation wrote. "With two first-rounders (Nos. 13 and 31), five picks in the top 78 and nine overall, the Saints are poised to move up if they see a player they like at any point. The team clearly has shown a willingness to be aggressive this offseason, and GM Mickey Loomis has moved up in Round 1 five times since 2003. 'It gives you a lot of flexibility,' new assistant GM Jeff Ireland said of the abundance of picks. 'You can do pretty much anything you want to in the early rounds of the draft.'"
