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NFL Power Rankings: 2017 Pre-NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees appears on radio row in preparation for Super Bowl LI at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees appears on radio row in preparation for Super Bowl LI at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

7-9. . New Orleans Saints. 24. team. 15.

The good news — the New Orleans Saints boast two first-round picks in this NFL Draft. The bad news — they had to jettison one of their better wide receivers, Brandin Cooks, to do so.

As long as quarterback Drew Brees is under center, the Saints will be competitive. But at 38 years old, Brees’ days are numbered, and it’s only a matter of time before New Orleans has to start thinking about his replacement.

If the team hasn’t already.

But this year’s NFL Draft shouldn’t worry about a quarterback. Not yet, at least.

Instead, both of the Saints’ first-round draft picks should be used on defense — a putrid unit carrying over from 2016.

Ideally, the Saints use a pick to address the front seven and another to help out the secondary. And subsequent picks should round out the defensive depth chart.

If these prospects wind up making something of an impact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Saints make some headway in NFL power rankings throughout the upcoming season.