The New Orleans Saints have done a solid job of revamping their roster this offseason despite some salary cap concerns. A few key pieces departed in free agency, as the defensive line was hit hard. But, New Orleans is in a good spot heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
As things currently stand, the Saints are likely the favorites in their division. The signing of Derek Carr provided them with the steadiest quarterback situation as the Atlanta Falcons with Desmond Ridder are the only other team that knows who their starter will be in Week 1.
Heading into the draft, there are a few holes that need to be addressed. Depth along the defensive line is a must with Kentavius Street, David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle and Marcus Davenport all leaving. Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepard were signed to help offset those losses, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints went with a defensive lineman early in the draft.
Another position that could use some depth is the secondary. Day 3 could be a good time to address that, which is when the team could look into selecting LSU defensive back Jay Ward. The Saints recently hosted Ward for a visit and he makes for an intriguing prospect to target with a fourth-round draft grade.
Ward’s biggest draw as a prospect is the versatility that he brings to the field. He began his career as a cornerback at LSU but ended up moving to safety. There is some real physicality to his game, but he may not have the size to hold up playing with that style at the next level as his frame doesn’t match that.
But, teams will love that he is willing to mix it up despite some concerns about his size. He can play as a nickel corner, up as a box safety or roam the deep third of the field as a free safety. That versatility, along with his impact on special teams, will get him involved early and often.
Another thing working in his favor is that he is a natural leader. He was one of the only constants for LSU the last few seasons as they cycled through coaches on their staff. His constant motor and always giving 100 percent trickled down to his teammates who wanted to match his intensity on the field.
A high-character player with some real tools to work with, Ward would be a great addition to the Saints’ secondary. At the very least, he would be able to provide an impact as a special teams player. He had two blocked kicks in his career at LSU and his style of play suits well to those situations.
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