A closer look at the areas the New Orleans Saints could address in the draft. We’ll look today at the cornerback position, which is scheduled to work out Monday in Indianapolis.
Position of need: Cornerback. The cornerback position was arguably the Saints’ biggest weakness in 2014 (though there are a number of worthy candidates for a defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed). The Saints need to find reliable No. 2 and No. 3 options behind top corner Keenan Lewis. I’ve argued they should make this a top priority in free agency so someone can come in and start right away. But even if they do that, they could use more depth and develop more talent for the future.
Three players the Saints could target in the draft:
Trae Waynes CB, Michigan State. Waynes seems to be the consensus top choice among cornerback prospects at this stage, mostly because he comes with the fewest question marks. But to maintain that status, he’ll have to make sure he doesn’t get outshined in pre-draft workouts. The 6-foot-1, 182-pounder has good size and length and has shown good man-to-man coverage skills. He’s a bit lanky, but ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have both praised his physicality and tackling ability in run support. Over the past two seasons, Waynes had a combined six interceptions and 96 tackles.
Marcus Peters CB, Washington: The most important part of the combine process for Peters will be the interviews with teams, since he’ll have to explain why he was dismissed from Washington last year and convince them his attitude won’t be a problem going forward. Peters has already begun that process by saying in a USA Today interview that he only has himself to blame (admitted transgressions include a sideline tantrum, being late for team meetings, a failed drug test for marijuana in 2011, an academic issue and generally getting a big head). That might scare the Saints off more than some other teams, since they cited some maturity and professionalism issues as being a problem in the locker room last season. Peters can also boost his stock by proving that he has the most athletic talent of any corner in this year’s draft class (which many scouts believe). The 5-11, 193-pounder has the size, speed and ball skills that teams covet, which could make him a mid- to late-first rounder.
Quinten Rollins CB, Miami (Ohio): One of the most enticing risk-reward picks in this year’s draft class, Rollins played only one year of college football after spending four years playing basketball as the RedHawks’ point guard. He thrived in that one year with seven interceptions, which earned him MAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Saints had pretty good success with another guy who followed that same path (tight end Jimmy Graham). Then again, they already used a second-round pick last year on another developmental project cornerback who barely saw the field as a rookie (Stanley Jean-Baptiste). Rollins (5-foot-11, 193) got good reviews out of the Senior Bowl, and the combine will be offer another opportunity to show how much polish he has. He could potentially sneak into the first round.