The New Orleans Saints, fresh off the 2021 NFL draft, are about to enter life after Drew Brees. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback officially retired from the NFL following the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign.

With a tandem under center slated to replace Brees, it remains to be seen how New Orleans will respond in 2021-22, especially with the Saints playing in the always dangerous NFC South division.

With the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons more frequently than not serving as pesky franchises and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers slated to enter the upcoming season as the defending Super Bowl champions, the Saints will be one team to keep an eye on in 2021-22 as things could get interesting in a hurry down in New Orleans.

Interestingly enough, though, the Saints have already turned a few heads as New Orleans made some questionable decisions during last month's 2021 NFL Draft.

The Saints served as a legitimate Super Bowl contender and perennial playoff team under the direction of Brees.

While there will certainly be a major transition to be made as the seasoned signal caller steps away, the Saints didn't seem to make things easier for themselves as a result of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Saints NFL draft mistakes:

Round 4, Pick 133: Notre Dame QB Ian Book

The New Orleans Saints have made a point to hold onto quarterback turned Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill for more than a few seasons while probably overpaying to retain him in the process.

Even though Hill was previously assumed to be the successor to recently retired quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints have elected to bring back former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and interception machine Jameis Winston for a second go-round in New Orleans as well.

With all of that already solidified way ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Saints still selected former Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book in the fourth round.

Why?

Perhaps the Saints are thinking long-term here, but if that is indeed the case, why has Hill been kept in the fold for so long without truly being given the reins?

With Winston on a short-term contract, Book could learn the Saints' offense in 2021-22 before serving as a viable option to back-up Hill — or someone else — moving forward. But again, why waste what could have been a valuable pick on a player that will more than likely make less than zero impact in 2021-22?

It is also worth noting that although the Saints must look forward to the future and the long-term plan in place for the franchise, New Orleans cannot afford to waste the prime years of running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas either.

It is safe to say that if Book has to enter a meaningful game for the Saints this season, the year has likely already been lost for New Orleans.

Round 1, Pick 28: Houston DE Payton Turner / Round 2, Pick 60: Ohio State LB Pete Werner / Round 3, Pick 76: Stanford CB Paulson Adebo

With longtime quarterback Drew Brees no longer in the picture, the New Orleans Saints have a decision to make — Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill in 2021?

However, despite all of the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position down in the New Orleans, the Saints used not one, not two but three consecutive picks in the 2021 NFL Draft on defensive players.

Because the quarterback position currently serves as one with quite a few question marks surrounding it for the Saints, why wouldn't New Orleans make a point to add some additional talent to its offense to make life easier for the duo of Winston and Hill?

As it stands today, the Saints have Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray at running back with Michael Thomas leading the way at wide receiver.

Outside of that trio, the Saints are already down to tight end Adam Trautman, running backs Dwayne Washington and Ty Montgomery and wide receivers Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Juwan Johnson and Deonte Harris.

It could certainly be much worse, but this is an interesting way for the Saints to attempt to new to keep up with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the new-look Carolina Panthers and the always dangerous Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South Division.

Although it is important to round out a roster with sound offense and a stout defense, former Houston Cougars defensive end Payton Turner, former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Pete Werner and former Stanford Cardinal cornerback Paulson Adebo can't help the Saints replace Brees.