Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland spotted scouting Zaven Collins

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, the New Orleans Saints are checking under every rock and beating every bush in an attempt to find “their guy.”

During the Sean Payton era the Saints have drafted the best available player that remains on their draft board when their turn to pick arrives. That’s not to say that the team doesn’t have targets. However, this year could be different with the heavy amount of turnover this roster has already seen.

One of those potential targets is Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins who was pictured meeting with Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland.

Collins, a versatile linebacker and consensus All-American in 2020, is projected to go later in the first-round of the draft. With the departures of Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone, New Orleans could look to target a linebacker with the 28th pick.

The Saints have not drafted a linebacker in the first round since their selection of Stephone Anthony out of Clemson with in the 2015 NFL draft. It would be be going against the recent philosophy, but again, this offseason has seen the landscape of the roster change significantly. Additionally, there is no doubt that Payton and company may have some regret on passing up on LSU-product Patrick Queen in last year’s draft.

Collins would slot in well next to Demario Davis and would make for a great fit in Dennis Allen’s defense which values versatility and flexibility. This draft season is bound to have lasting implications for New Orleans.