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Full list of Saints 2021 NFL draft picks, needs, dream first pick

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2021 NFL draft with the 28th overall pick and eight total picks. We break down their needs and a potential dream pick in the first round.

Previewing the NFL Draft with Ross Tucker

The Saints last season with Drew Brees was a good one, as they went 12-4 and won the NFC South for the fourth consecutive season. They also became the first NFC South team to ever sweep the division, going 6-0 against the Falcons, Panthers and soon to be champion Buccaneers.

Unfortunately, Brees just didn’t have the arm strength to muscle them past the Buccaneers for a third time as they lost 30-20 in the divisional round.

New Orleans Saints 2021 Draft Picks

Round 1: No. 28, DE Payton Turner
Round 2: No. 60, LB Pete Werner
Round 3: No. 76, CB Paulson Adebo
Round 4: No. 133, QB Ian Book
Round 6: No. 206, OT Landon Young
Round 7: No. 255, WR Kawaan Baker

Team needs

Offense

With Brees retired, the team probably needs a quarterback, but they are going to run with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill in 2021. Winston appears to have the lead for the starting job while Hill would continue to do whatever it is that he does.

With quarterback probably not being addressed early on, the Saints will likely look to upgrade at wide receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency. Michael Thomas is still the top dog, but they need a true complement to him, especially with a downgrade in quarterback play.

Defense

The Saints had one of the best defensive units in the league last season and they should continue to be solid again in 2021. But, they love bulking up their defensive line and there is room to bring in an interior lineman draft pick. But their weakest unit is likely in their secondary and if one of the top cornerbacks is still there, they will likely keep him from going into the second round.

Dream first pick

CB, Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

There are some injury and experience red flags with Farley which could end up taking him out of the first round, but his upside is the top CB in this draft.