Reuben Foster would be a big help to a struggling Saints defense

Reuben Foster has been mocked to the Saints in the seven-round draft by PFF analysts, as well as in Cris Collinsworth’s mock.

• New Orleans’ defense allowed 4.11 rushing yards/play (15th in the NFL), 7.16 passing yards/play (31st), and 22 first downs per game on average in 2016.
• The team’s starting linebackers had an average coverage PFF grade of 53.8 and an average run-defense PFF grade of 65.3. Their two free-agent additions, A.J. Klein (PFF grade: 44.6) and Manti Te’o (38.6) don’t appear to be an upgrade.
• Reuben Foster is an elite talent who would be a tremendous addition to the Saints defense. He was a dominant force in the run game in 2016, with 52 defensive stops on 320 run snaps.
• Although he was the fifth-most targeted ILB in this draft class in the passing game (56 targets), Foster only gave up 6.6 yards per reception (11th best in this ILB class).