Saints be aware! 49ers will be ongoing contenders

Ed Daniels, Sports 

Still gloating over that 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl?
Thought so. However, it likely won’t be San Francisco’s last visit to the big game in the near future – unless, the Saints can stop them.

San Francisco, like New Orleans, has a very talented, young nucleus. Pass rushers Arik Armstead, 26, and Nick Bosa, 22, are far from their primes. Quarterback Jimmy Garappolo is 28 years old. Tight end George Kittle is 26. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is 25. And, wide receiver Deebo Samuel is 24.

The 49ers will likely contend for several years. 

In the Super Bowl, after controlling the game for 3 1/2 quarters, the 49ers were defeated by the game’s best player, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

So, into the offseason we go, and the Saints front office should not be fooled about what it has to do to get back to the Super Bowl and win it: That is, continue to build the team from the inside out.

In the playoff loss to Minnesota, both Saints’ lines were riddled by injuries. Defensively, Sheldon Rankins and Marcus Davenport were lost for the season. Offensively, at least three of the club’s five starting lineman were far less than 100%.

So, in the three million mock drafts between now and the last week in April, two million-plus will have the Saints drafting a wide receiver in the first round.

And, hey, I get it. It is a need position for the Saints, and the 2020 NFL draft is stocked with talented wide outs.

As many as seven, including LSU’s Justin Jefferson, were picked to be selected in the first round on bleacherreport.com.
The logic of picking one of these talented receivers is sound. The Saints need a complement, especially a deep threat, to go opposite Michael Thomas.

I say, resist the eye candy and go for the talented big man.
The Saints’ ability to control the line of scrimmage is a big reason why New Orleans has won 11, 13 and 13 games over the last three seasons.

Each offseason, NFL head coaches and general managers huddle and figure out a way forward. In San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch probably will come to the conclusion that their football team was “thisclose” to a championship.

In New Orleans, Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis should come to the conclusion that the Saints need to continue the organizational philosophy of drafting well and being judicious in pursuing free agents.

The Saints and the Niners were built in much the same way. They have spent high picks on pass rushers and offensive linemen and then filled in the rest.

In the 2020 regular season, the Saints will again host the 49ers. And, like this season, the results of that game could be quite significant.

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at edaniels@clarionherald.org.