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          NFL Nation

          Saints mailbag, Part 1: The draft 'what if' edition

          Thanks for submitting your New Orleans Saints questions on Twitter. Send them anytime @MikeTriplett. And stay tuned for Part 2 of this week's mailbag Sunday.



          @MikeTriplett: I wouldn't hesitate (assuming the Saints and GM Mickey Loomis have Trae Waynes graded as highly as most draft analysts). I still rank cornerback among the Saints' top three or four needs even after they signed Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson in free agency. The third CB job is still wide open behind Keenan Lewis and Browner, and they need to keep developing future starters at that vital position.

          If Waynes is available when we do our ESPN NFL Nation mock draft later this month, I'll likely pounce on him. The bigger dilemma I'm having is what happens if Waynes, the top four-pass rushers and the top two receivers are all gone when the Saints pick at 13 -- which seems possible.



          @MikeTriplett: I talked about this in my video report earlier this week. Based on most draft projections I've seen, it's entirely possible that the highest-rated player on the board at No. 13 could be an offensive lineman (perhaps LSU's La'El Collins, Miami's Ereck Flowers or Florida's D.J. Humphries, among others). I don't think it's New Orleans' most glaring need, but it's enough of a need that it could be worth addressing at No. 13. The Saints could use an upgrade at the backup tackle spots immediately, and they'll need replacements for veteran starters Jahri Evans and Zach Strief in the near future.

          I'd rank pass rusher and ILB as greater needs -- but that mostly matters in a tie-breaker scenario. Draft grades usually trump positional needs, unless it's a position the Saints really don't need in Round 1 (like running back or maybe safety).



          @MikeTriplett: The defensive line is another area where I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints make a pick in Round 1 if the grade is right. I wouldn't be shocked to see them go for a big DE like Oregon's Arik Armstead, UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa or Mississippi State's Preston Smith, or a DT like Washington's Danny Shelton or Texas' Malcom Brown with one of their first-round picks.

          It would be a mild surprise to see Armstead go that high since I haven't seen too many analysts projecting him as a top-13 pick, and he's described as a bit of a developmental prospect. But it's possible since he's got enticing potential in that 6-foot-7, 292-pound frame.



          @MikeTriplett: Now we're getting into a lot of "what ifs." For one thing, I don't think Oregon QB Marcus Mariota will fall that far. However, if he does, then maybe NFL teams in general aren't that high on him, which means the Saints might pass too.

          Most likely, I think the Saints would have to trade way up to get Mariota -- and they'd have to really, really love him to do that. So I don't expect it to happen. I know you can't always take coaches at their word during draft season, but Sean Payton was pretty adamant in insisting last month that a trade up for Mariota "won't happen."



          @MikeTriplett: This 'what if' is a little more realistic in my mind. I still don't expect it to happen. But I rank wide receiver among the Saints' top four or five needs, and I could see them getting aggressive if they fall in love with a specific game-changing talent like Alabama's Amari Cooper or West Virginia receiver Kevin White.

          The only reason I don't expect that to happen is because the receiver class is so deep that the Saints can probably stay put and find a game-changer at No. 13, No. 31 or No. 44. But I wouldn't rule it out.