All coverage of the New Orleans Saints' draft possibilities seems centered on offensive players, particularly offensive linemen. Is there any chance they take a defensive player in the first round?

Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing discusses that possibility, including what prospects would interest the Saints and if there's any scenario in which a defensive pick is a good idea in the first round.

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The New Orleans Saints had an amazing draft class in 2017. The six years since have been relatively barren. The 2006 class helped bring a Super Bowl to the city. They've also had several first-round busts.

So is this regime good at drafting? How confident should fans be about this year's crucial NFL draft?

Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing break it down, armed with historical data and added perspective.

Who will the New Orleans Saints take at No. 14 in the first round of the 2024 NFL mock draft? We'll run through a computer-simulated mock draft of the first 13 picks and then make our selection for the Saints.

Will it be an offensive lineman like J.C. Latham, Taliese Fuaga or Olu Fashanu? Georgia tight end Brock Bowers? A receiver or defensive end? Our Saints Insider team of Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing also take a look at the Saints' second-round pick and the possibility of another New Orleans draft day trade.

Luke's full mock draft: https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/saints-nfl-mock-draft-who-does-new-orleans-take-at-no-14/article_37348c10-ebad-11ee-9f95-93ebb15439f9.html

The Saints Insider podcast is back with Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing. In this episode, the crew discusses:

• Takeaways from LSU's pro day • Dennis Allen's comments on Ryan Ramczyk's injury and impact on Saints' offensive line • NFL rule changes, including a new kickoff that could prove to be an advantage for the Saints • What rule changes we'd make if we were commissioner for a day.

The Saints signed defensive end Chase Young to a unique contract that offers some protections to both sides and allows New Orleans to hope to capitalize on the former No. 2 pick's potential. The news that he's having neck surgery complicates matters, but maybe it's still a risk worth taking.

Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing dissect the deal and whether it makes sense for the Saints.

Also in this episode:

• Cedrick Wilson's role

• The backup quarterback situation and why the Saints didn't pursue Justin Fields

• Which pro days are we keeping an eye on?

Michael Thomas is expected to be released by the Saints in the coming days, and our Saints Insider crew, including Jeff Duncan — whom Thomas insulted on social media upon news of his release breaking — react to his brilliant and then frustrating tenure in New Orleans. Duncan, along with host Zach Ewing, Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, also dive into: • What's next for the Saints in what has thus far been a quiet free agency period • Potential targets for the Saints in free agency • Reaction to free agency moves and trades around the NFL • Are the Falcons rightfully the favorites in the NFC South? #saints #nflfreeagency #nfloffseason #falcons

Saints beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras return from Indianapolis and join host Zach Ewing for a post-NFL combine discussion. Included: • Is it possible the Saints finally trade down in a draft? • Who are the best fits for what Mickey Loomis and Jeff Ireland look for? In other words, the "Saints kinda guys" in this draft. • Will the first-round pick definitely be a lineman or receiver? • With the league year starting, who will the Falcons end up with at quarterback? What other free agency stories are you watching?

One offseason can turn around the fortunes of a franchise in a hurry, as evidenced by last year's Houston Texans. The New Orleans Saints need one now, and they have four good ones in their own recent history. Our Saints Insiders — Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing — relive those and how they can replicate it this year.

Also on the docket:

• Saints move closer to salary cap relief

• Marshon Lattimore trade talk

• Saints players grade the franchise through the NFLPA survey

Jeff Duncan column on best Saints offseasons: https://www.nola.com/sports/jeff_duncan/history-shows-the-saints-are-overdue-for-a-big-offseason/article_f663c698-d6a7-11ee-bc47-6f05518cd105.html

With more NFL salary cap relief than expected and a new offensive coaching staff, the New Orleans Saints head to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. How will that change their approach in looking at draft prospects? And might they be more active in free agency than anticipated? Who should Saints fans be keeping an eye on during combine workouts?

Our Saints Insider crew answers those questions and more on this episode, with Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing offering reaction to Derek Carr's new contract structure and the salary cap situation, plus a full preview of the combine — including our under-the-radar prospects to watch.

#nfl #nflcombine #saints

The New Orleans Saints finally have their completed, overhauled offensive coaching staff this week, led by new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. What should they focus on first during the offseason? And what might the Saints learn at next week's NFL combine toward that goal? Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and Matthew Paras break it down on this episode.

#saints #nfl #nfloffseason