Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore poses after being selected by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2017 NFL football draft Thursday in Philadelphia. 

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints’ last-ranked pass defense is adding the first cornerback taken in this year’s NFL draft.

The Saints selected Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore with the 11th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

“I’m going to try to go in there Day 1 and show what I can do,” Lattimore said on a conference call shortly after his selection. “”I’m going to come in there not trying to be the big man on the team. I’m going to come in trying to do my job there and I’m going to get it done for them.”

Coach Sean Payton had made no secret that improving the Saints’ defense was his priority this offseason. It was unavoidable after New Orleans led the league in offense but still finished below .500 at 7-9 for a third straight season.

The Saints ranked 27th in defense last season, allowing 375.4 yards per game, and allowed a league-worst 273.8 yards passing per game. They also ranked second-to-last in points allowed with 28.4.

The 6-foot, 193-pound Lattimore was the first cornerback selected in this year’s draft. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, when he had four interceptions. That was his first full season with the Buckeyes after overcoming nagging hamstring injuries during his first two years with the program.

He said he is healthy now and using methods such as acupuncture in an effort to avoid another recurrence.

Lattimore was widely projected as a top 10 pick and was not expected to even be available when the Saints were on the clock. Lattimore said he, as well, expected to be taken higher, but added, “It’s all good. I’m not really worried about it. … I just want to contribute for the New Orleans Saints right now.”

The Saints entered Thursday night’s first round with two picks in the first round. The second is the 32nd pick acquired from New England as part of a trade that sent receiver Brandin Cooks to the Patriots, where the Saints selected Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk.