Saints need repeat from Alex Okafor or must find the 2018 version

Alex Okafor was one of the New Orleans Saints' most underrated "hits" last year during an offseason in which they nailed just about every personnel move they made.

Defensive end ranked as my No. 1 need for the Saints last year. And Okafor wound up starting all 10 games he played for them, with 4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits and two forced fumbles after signing a bargain one-year deal in free agency worth between $2 million and $3 million. He played both outside and inside in certain packages, while finally providing a steady presence across from first-team All-Pro Cameron Jordan.

Then Okafor suffered a torn Achilles in November.

And now defensive end is again my No. 1-ranked position need…