How many offensive lineman should the Saints draft next year? (2 Viewers)

[St. Geezy]

Impossible to answer without seeing how free agency plays out. Truthfully, we arguably only need one starter type, at LG, even though Patrick has been more than serviceable in that spot when healthy.

We could use a depth piece or two but we can’t afford to to break the bank on backups or devote too many draft assets to that. Far too many other needs and far too many playmakers to pass on to make that a viable option.

I do think we should course correct and backup center should be prioritized this off-season though, based on what we have gone through.

 

[Poppy]

The most succesful teams, have a great o-line. That is all.

 

[VPCajun]

How many offensive lineman should the Saints draft next year?​

ALL of them...

(Every single one that is available.)

 

[Artifactual]

If the Saints draft a stud LG and all other starters return healthy in 2025 they could be a much improved unit.

The linemen forced into action this year would have some playing time and experience in the system. Several of them can play both guard and center.

Starting 5 with a Rookie Stud LG could look like this: Fuaga @ LT, Stud Rookie @ LG, McCoy @ Center, Ruiz @ RG, Penning @ RT.

Offensive Lineman to compete for Backup Roster Spots could include any free agents brought in the offseason as well as players drafted late or undrafted.

Possible returning backups:
Lucas Patrick, Nick Saldiveri, Landon Young, Shane Lemieux, Connor McGovern, Kyle Hergel, Oli Udoh, Josiah Ezirim, and Sincere Haynesworth.

That's 15 or more Offensive Linemen competing for 8 active roster spots and 2 or 3 practice squad spots.

 

[bobad]

Every year I wonder if we could draft 2-3 OL and sign 3-4 in UDFA every draft, develop them and use them for draft and FA currency. Being tired of the same OL situation year after year makes me think elite OL are the 2nd rarest players in the game.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

I would look to snatch a starting talent guard in the 2nd or so, and later in the draft snatch another guard or center who can also play guard. That way we have depth for McCoy and at guard.

Tackle, I'm not concerned about at all. We have two good starting tackles, and a decent backup already.

 

[SweetT]

The most succesful teams, have a great o-line. That is all.

True, but what rds did they get these players?

SF has:
5th rd
3rd rd
2nd rd
1st rd-Williams
UDFA
As their starters

KC has:
3rd rd
3rd
2nd rd
2nd rd
6th rd

Ravens have:
1st rd
1st rd
UDFA
2nd rd
4th rd

Bills have:
2nd rd
5th rd
5th rd
2nd rd
3rd rd

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I chose 1. Might as retain most of the guys who played depth roles, starting lineup is cemented, even LG when healthy looks like we found a gem in Patrick.

 

[St. Widge]

I chose 1. Might as retain most of the guys who played depth roles, starting lineup is cemented, even LG when healthy looks like we found a gem in Patrick.

The only issue I see with that is that he will be 32 at the start of next season and at that age lots of guys either start to get a lot of little injuries or break down. I realize that OL can sometimes play well into this age bracket but it would be a good idea to have a younger starting LG and keep Patrick to compete at LG. If the young guy wins, then we still have Patrick as great depth which we obviously need.

But I think the health of Fuaga and Penning so far this season has masked the fact that we don't really have any quality depth at OT. Udoh or Young are the likely backups and neither really seemed to get the job done at OT in preseason.

So I think you need to add an OG to challenge for the LG spot assuming you bring Patrick back and an OT to provide young depth. You might need another OG if they don't bring Patrick back.

If Kubiak is here next year or if we continue to run a similar system with another coach we need to have good quality depth on the OL. After the injuries this year it is very clear to me that this system is only as good as it's running game and the running game does not work with lesser quality backup players starting.

 

[livefromDC]

There's NO way of knowing until the Saints are on the clock. This is ridiculous. You don't draft a position for the sake of checking a box. You draft players. Whoever is the best player when the Saints are on the clock is the pick. End of story.

 

[St. Widge]

There's NO way of knowing until the Saints are on the clock. This is ridiculous. You don't draft a position for the sake of checking a box. You draft players. Whoever is the best player when the Saints are on the clock is the pick. End of story.

You don't say that we are going to take a OT or OG in the first round or second round, etc. But I do think it's reasonable to say we want to come out of this draft with an OG and an OT. Obviously you don't force it, but you can move around, including moving down to get guys at spots that they make sense and are good value.

But, sure, the goal would be to fill all the holes and backup spots in free agency and then be able to go into the draft and take BPA every time, but that isn't always possible.

 

[Dallas_Saint73]

I selected two. One stud early round pick, and one in the later rounds that we could develop and use for depth.

 

[Rexman100]

Draft 6 Guards and Centers. Sign 10 Guards and Centers as UDFAs. Accuracy by volume.

Love Fuaga and I think Penning can continue to develop and T is not a pressing need.

Zero faith in this FO drafting DL.

We need 4 or 5 Taysom replacements. Draft Milroe in the 3rd. I dont know who said this, but it was said on this board multiple times, he said that this new offensive scheme chews up Olineman and RBs due to its aggressive nature. Oh yea!! i remember who said it, it was me.

 

[abnrgr]

If we pick top 10 we have to look at another OT. Alabama OG and OSU OG will be there in the 2nd. That should fix our OL. A veteran IOL in free agency for insurance.

 

[VPCajun]

I would look to snatch a starting talent guard in the 2nd or so, and later in the draft snatch another guard or center who can also play guard. That way we have depth for McCoy and at guard.

Tackle, I'm not concerned about at all. We have two good starting tackles, and a decent backup already.

Yep. No jinx there... /s