To draft offense or defense? That is the question

Decision time approaches for Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.

Last offseason, that decision – offense or defense – was made in free agency and in the draft. The 2012 Saints were the worst defense in NFL history, allowing 7,042 yards. So, with a limited pool of free-agent money, the Saints let left tackle Jermon Bushrod, a starter on the 2009 Super Bowl champions, walk. Bushrod signed a five-year, $35.9 million deal with the Chicago Bears.

The Saints then brought former O. Perry Walker star Keenan Lewis back home. Lewis signed a five-year, $26.3 million deal. Lewis is the Saints’ best cornerback and a big reason why the defense made dramatic improvement.

The Saints again will have limited monies in unrestricted free agency. Is it offense or defense?

That decision was made a year ago in the draft. The Saints addressed a need at safety, selecting Kenny Vaccaro from Texas in the first round. Vaccaro had a solid season before it ended with a fractured ankle in a December game at Carolina.

Vaccaro’s selection fit in perfectly with the Saints’ long-term plans. Safety Roman Harper, part of Payton’s first draft class in 2006, was a February cut. Safety Malcolm Jenkins could hit the market as an unrestricted free agent.

The Saints certainly have issues on offense. Wide receiver Marques Colston, the best at his position in the history of franchise, is on the tail end of a terrific career. Tight end Jimmy Graham was seeing more double coverage in 2013. With wide receiver Joe Morgan on injured reserve for the entire year, rookie Kenny Stills became the Saints’ lone deep threat.

The Saints’ rushing attack also needs a boost. In 2013, the Saints joined Cincinnati, Detroit and Tennessee as the only teams without a running play of 40 or more yards. The Saints had only seven rushes of 20 or more yards. Do the Saints look for a runner in the mid to late rounds?

Can the club afford to spend a second- or third-round selection on a speedy wide receiver who would open up the middle of the field for Graham?

In 2013, the top six scoring defenses in the NFL (the Saints were fourth at 19 points a game) made the playoffs. Arizona was seventh. The Cardinals missed the playoffs despite winning 10 games.

In the 2013 playoffs, it was defense. The Seattle Seahawks allowed the Saints 15 points. In the NFC championship game, Seattle limited San Francisco to 17 points. And, in the Super Bowl, Seattle drubbed Denver 43-8.

The Saints made huge strides on defense and went from seven wins to 12. With a limited amount of free-agent cash, but with a full complement of draft picks, the Saints plunge into the offseason.

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].