Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: Breaking down the top need for each team

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK - APRIL 26: A ball and helmets are seen in front of the podium prior to the start of the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26, 2008 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 26: A ball and helmets are seen in front of the podium prior to the start of the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26, 2008 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 22: A.J. Klein #53 of the New Orleans Saints tackles Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 22, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 22: A.J. Klein #53 of the New Orleans Saints tackles Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 22, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Linebacker. . New Orleans Saints. . team. 15.

For the first time in what seems like years, we can finally say the New Orleans Saints defense is good.

Much of this has to do with last year’s NFL Draft acquisition of cornerback Marshon Lattimore out of Ohio State, who is Pro Football Focus‘ top-ranked corner entering Week 11.

Overall, the Saints secondary has been very good this season, as has the defensive line. But some help is needed in between. New Orleans tried to address this during the 2017 NFL Draft by attempting to land former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, only to see the 49ers swoop in, via a trade, grabbing him at No. 31 overall.

So another option is needed here. Right now, middle linebacker A.J. Klein is the 80th-ranked linebacker out of 106 qualifiers, per PFF.

Finding a playmaking linebacker would vastly improve a budding Saints defense even more.