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Biggest offseason decisions facing Atlanta Falcons, rest of NFC Sorth

By Freddie Boston

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) following a win in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) following a win in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Saints

It was another disappointing season for the New Orleans Saints, who again fell way short of a playoff berth. Drew Brees is a year older, and the Saints have a number of issues on the defensive side of the ball to put right for any shot at competing in rising NFC South.

Biggest offseason question: How can the defense be fixed?

Notable free agent: Benjamin Watson

Biggest needs: A defense

Outlook: The Saints are in a tough spot. They have so many needs on defense, but have just $7.4 million in cap room, according to Over The Cap. Plugging holes in the draft while adding bargain free agents is the way they will need to go.

New Orleans finished No. 31 in total defense last term, and ranked in the same spot against the pass and run. Improving the pass rush would be a good place to start, which could make finding a defensive end to pair with Cameron Jordan the top priority.

A sensible approach in the draft would be to take the best defensive player available. They just need talent and lots of it to have any hope of putting together a respectable unit in 2016.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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