trae waynes.jpg

Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes intercepts a pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin during a Big 10 game on Nov. 30, 2014.

(AP Photo)

What are the New Orleans Saints looking for at the NFL Scouting Combine over the next week?

New Orleans' needs on defense are obvious. Only one team gave up more yards during the 2014 season. The Saints finished 25th in the league in sacks, had their cornerbacks exposed by opposing wide receivers and gave up 4.8 yards per rushing attempt, the second-worst average in the league.

Ideally, New Orleans would like to find an outside linebacker who could beef up its pass rush without being a liability against the run. The first round offers the best hope of finding an immediate impact player, but pass-rushing targets such as Florida's Dante Fowler Jr., Missouri's Shane Ray and Nebraska's Randy Gregory should be gone by the time the Saints come up at pick No. 13. That could mean New Orleans will be the first team to draft a cornerback on April 30.

Here are five impact defensive players the Saints could target at the NFL Combine:

Jalen Collins, cornerback, LSU: After three seasons and 10 starts for the Tigers, Collins entered the NFL Draft a year early, and he will need to be fast at the combine to keep climbing up NFL draft boards. Collins had one interception and broke up nine passes in 2014 for LSU.

Marcus Peters, cornerback, Washington: In three seasons as a starter for the Huskies, Peters had 11 interceptions, 35 pass breakups and 129 tackles, but he was dismissed from the team on Nov. 6 because of clashes with the coaching staff. While Peters might be the best cover corner at the combine, the interviews he has with teams such as the Saints could hold his draft fate.

Shaq Thompson, outside linebacker, Washington: Thompson played outside and inside linebacker, safety and running back for the Huskies, but seems to be what the Saints need as an outside linebacker. Taking him with the 13th pick would be considered a big reach right now, but that doesn't mean New Orleans won't be keeping a close eye on him as a potential Day 2 gem.

Danny Shelton, nose tackle, Washington: At 339 pounds, Shelton would put some presence in the middle of the New Orleans defense. His final-season stats in college were eye-popping for his position - 93 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

Trae Waynes, cornerback, Michigan State: A really good 40 at the NFL Combine might pull Waynes out of the Saints' first-round reach. Waynes intercepted three passes and broke up eight more last season while almost always matched up one-on-one with a receiver.

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