The Sports Xchange

METAIRIE, La. — The extreme makeover of the New Orleans Saints’ roster will continue with the NFL draft.

General manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton must decide how best to use the nine selections they have to turn around a team that went 7-9 last fall and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

They could use all nine picks — including two choices in the first and third rounds and a second-rounder — or trade some to move up in the first round, or back up and acquire additional choices to get their team on track again.

One thing is certain: After what happened this winter, when Loomis and Payton rolled up their sleeves and spent three months tearing down and reconstructing their roster, anything and everything is on the table.

Of course, serious salary-cap issues forced them to part with running back Pierre Thomas and inside linebacker Curtis Lofton, who were both released, and they traded All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, former Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs and wide receiver Kenny Stills to gain cap space and draft picks to help them restock the roster.

While they did the unthinkable in trading Graham, the move was an important one for the Saints. They picked up a Pro Bowler in center Max Unger as well as a late first-round draft pick that will give them flexibility on draft day — whether they decide to trade up or down.

Grubbs brought a fifth-round draft pick and the trade of Stills, who was chosen in the fifth round in 2013, a third-round pick and versatile linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

They also released cornerback Corey White, allowed cornerback Patrick Robinson, a former first-round draft pick, to leave in free agency and did not tender backup defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker and running back Travaris Cadet, a couple of restricted free agents.

Along the way, the Saints re-signed eight of their own free agents, most notably running back Mark Ingram, who was believed to be on his way out the door until the release of Thomas, a trusted veteran, gave them some cap relief.

With that done, the Saints shopped the market to find a replacement for Thomas, running back C.J. Spiller, and addressed their porous defense with the signing of cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson and defensive end Anthony Spencer.

The addition of Browner and Wilson gave the Saints a pair of veteran cornerbacks to go with starter Keenan Lewis. That helped fill their second-biggest need area behind a pass-rushing defensive end/outside linebacker, which they will likely target early in the draft.

If they keep all of their picks, the Saints may look into drafting a potential successor to quarterback Drew Brees, who will turn 37 in January and has two years remaining on the five-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2012, even though both Loomis and Payton claim he is still very much in their plans.

2014 Record: 7-9, 2nd in NFC South

First Draft Pick: #13 Overall

BEST FIT: DE Shane Ray, Missouri

The Saints need a speedy pass rusher in the worst way to beef up one of the NFL’s worst defenses after ranking 31st in total yards allowed with 34 sacks a year ago. The sleek and powerful Ray could fill the bill although the Saints do have enough ammunition with nine picks — including two first-rounders — to move up and get a crack at Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., a 260-pounder who can line up at a number of positions. He will certainly be gone if they stand pat at No. 13, but general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton have shown a willingness to move up when they have a player they love in their sights — especially one who could make a huge impact immediately — assuming they can line up a suitable trade partner.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive end/outside linebacker: It doesn’t matter which one they get, they just need a pass rusher who can come in and turn their defense around and get some consistent pressure on the quarterback. The Saints had only 34 sacks a year ago and the inability to hold on to late leads in several games, which was extremely problematic when they gave quarterbacks too much time to scan the field and find receivers, likely cost them at least two victories and kept them out of the playoffs.

2. Offensive line: The Saints still have right guard Jahri Evans after trading former Pro Bowl guard to the Chiefs, but Evans is entering his 10th season and will have to be replaced in the next couple of seasons. They have glaring needs on their 31st-ranked defense, but with the 13th and 31st picks in the first round they could address both positions if they choose — if they don’t package the two first-rounders to move up and grab an impactful pass rusher. They could also be eyeing a combo tackle/guard who could eventually replace right tackle Zach Strief, a 10-year veteran.

3. Wide receiver: After releasing Lance Moore a year ago and trading away Kenny Stills this winter, the Saints almost have to address this area rather early in the draft even though they have picked only two wide receivers in the first three rounds (Robert Meachem, first round, 2007; Brandin Cooks, first round, 2014) since Payton arrived in 2006. They still have Marques Colston, a big target who is starting to slow down as he enters his 10th NFL season, and the shifty, speedy Cooks. They combined for 112 catches in 2014, but the other wideouts currently on the roster had only 21 receptions between them.