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The Saints have a lot to look forward to next year.  Despite their atrocious start to the season last year this team still nearly snuck into the playoffs.  Considering the quality of teams in the NFC and the amount of talent on this team, not making the playoffs this year would be a surprise to me.  I love their coach, Sean Payton, but I did have a big problem with his playcalling early last year.  As I think it was Deion Sanders who said it, Payton was trying to serve desert before the entree.  Instead of giving defenses a large dose of Deuce McAllister (before injury ended his year), the Saints were running all these fancy plays involving Reggie Bush and they literally got too cute on offense.  Meanwhile a few upgrades on defense really weren't upgrades.  Their new starting cornerback last year from the Colts (free agent), Jason David was a huge disappointment as apprently he plays better in the Tampa Two than any one on one situations.  Very large in part to their bad corner play, the Saints ranked near the bottom on defense last year which is why everyone including me see them going cornerback with their #10 slot in the draft.

The exact player is tough to predict but I agree with the majority of draft experts going for Leodis McKelvin out of Tory.  McKelvin is a shut down corner with blazing speed which should help seal the biggest leak in the Saints defense, giving up the deep ball for a quick score.  I swear every time I tuned in a Saints game last year they would score only to the opposing team score a long touchdown shortly after as receivers were constantly getting behind the Saints secondary for easy, quick scores.  Payton and the Saints would be smart to continue to shore up the defense with this draft as they have announced they are bringing back their trio of talented receivers, all of whom are free agents.  Deuce will be healthy, back form season ending surgery last season, and of course they'll have Drew Brees and Reggie Bush available to keep this potent offense going.  Providing they all stay healthy, I see some good things for this team next year

Fantasy Top 5

1. Reggie Bush RB- Not the most consistant back out there but definitely the biggest playmaker in the NFL and great catching passes out of the backfield.  If the Saints use him effectively I foresee many more touchdowns than the last few years ('07 only 6 TD's)

2. Drew Brees QB- Definitely a top tier quarterback now as his stats are only behind Brady and Manning.  I see no reason Brees doesn't continue to have killer stats like last year, very nearly 4500 yards and very nearly 30 touchdowns.

3. Marcus Colston WR- This receiver really came into his own last year, showing he could be the man after Joe Horn went to the Falcons.  Colston had 1200+ yards and amazingly 11 touchdowns.  Don't overpay for him as 11 touchdowns is a tall feat to repeat but he's definitely a fantasy starter.

4. Deuce McAllister RB- Thanks to a knee injury somewhat early in the season last year Deuce should be back to 100% to start the season and should be well rested.  I'm thinking he should return to his 2006-07 season form of about 1000 yards and perhaps a little less touchdowns (he had 11 2 seasons ago)

5. David Patten WR- I drafted Devery Henderson last year expecting him to emerge and thought I got great value.  Unfortunate for me a few rounds later a team picked up Patten and Patten outplayed Henderson last year and I expect him to continue that trend however still more of a bye week option, not a fantasy starter (792 yards 3 touchdowns).

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