Nick Underhill’s concern with Saints O-Line might be “heightened”

liveoakh said

I can tell you what I would have done, is put up more draft capital to get one of the better pass blocking LTs, and I would have secured a better option in FA than Hurst at LT to hold it down. I can tell you what I wouldn't have done is trade up to get a run blocking LT from a small school, who wasn't an established pass protector to start right away. For our high priced FA QB. I'm sure it will work out in the end, just not the way I would have done it.

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Hurst was already on our roster, we signed him as a FA in 2021 for depth. Who did you want us to sign instead that year, when we had Armstead on the roster? In 2022 Armstead walked in free agency for a very large deal so we had a large hole to fill at LT. We addressed it with a very good prospect who checks every box you want physically and has the tools to become a good pass protector. Everyone knew he was strong in run blocking but needed time to develop as a pass blocker. Our high priced FA QB was playing for the Raiders at the time of us drafting him, that played zero factor in going up to get him. Drafting high quality offensive lineman is a good strategy regardless of who is playing quarterback or what type of offense is being run. Penning went where he was projected.