Big Easy Believer
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Saints Have Oregon D-Lineman On Their Radar

By Gene Higginbotham

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One area that anyone can see that needs an upgrade for the New Orleans Saints during the upcoming offseason is..well everything. You name it and the team needs it:  Pass Rusher, Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Offensive Guard, etc., etc.

One issue that has haunted the Saints since the release of outside linebacker Junior Galette is the lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, allowing an obscene amount of time in the pocket even for rookies like Marcus Mariota.

Linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha started to alleviate that some but an ankle injury has slowed him some as well as causing him to miss playing time, leaving defensive end Cameron Jordan to muscle most of the load.

Oct 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints nose tackle John Jenkins (92) reacts on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

John Jenkins has improved some as the season has progressed but isn’t setting the world on fire at the defensive tackle position either.

WWL 870’s draft analyst Mike Detillier said in a recent Twitter post that the Saints are looking very hard at a draft prospect that could possibly help solve their pass rush issues for next season.

While Buckner(6-7, 290 pounds) is listed simply as a “defensive lineman” on the University of Oregon’s website, CBSSports.com has him ranked as the #2 defensive end in the 2016 NFL Draft just under Ohio State’s Joey Bosa.

Like Jordan who sports a similar frame at 6-4, 287 pounds, Buckner could be used by the Saints on multiple spots on the defensive line.

He began playing in 2012 for the Ducks and Buckner has elevated his play every year since then and is having a strong campaign for his senior year.

November 14, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the football against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

So far in 11 games for 2015 he has 69 total tackles with 14.5 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, with five passes defended.

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His 2014 season was just as impressive with 81 total tackles with 13 for a loss, four sacks, four passes defended, and a forced fumble.

So far this year in the Pac-12, Buckner is 9th with assisted tackles, 3rd in tackles for a loss, and 1st overall in sacks.

Of course a lot of what the Saints will do in the draft depends on where they fall at in the overall selection part of the upcoming draft.

Just a few weeks ago they were slated at 9th overall in the first round in current standing but have since been bumped on down the line into the teens.

Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) catches a pass during the game New Mexico State Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beats New Mexico State Aggies 52-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

This could lead the Saints to grab a big play wide receiver like Laquon Treadwell or an inside linebacker like Reggie Ragland if they were to fall into play.

There really isn’t a pure game changing receiver currently with the Saints besides former first rounder Brandin Cooks and he and Brees have been hit and miss on occasions.

At linebacker the Saints have been hit with injuries and ones that aren’t going away with Ramon Humber, David Hawthorne, and Dannell Ellerbe constantly on the list.

Ellerbe, who has made an impact when on the field, simply can’t seem to stay healthy and is nursing a hip injury causing him to miss the last three games of the season and is still out even though the Saints are coming off a bye week…..

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