Saints will need to draft an OT before defense (1 Viewer)

[dpwga]

I have been reading all the mock drafts and projections on this site with all the focus on defensive players. However, looking at the current roster, free agent situation and being over the cap - I see the Saints having to pick an OT with their first pick

Jermon Bushrod - is a UFA and given our cap situation, it will be hard to pay him much. He has been an above average OT - not great tho - and he has a couple of pro bowls on his resume. Someone will overpay for him. Also, top OT don't normally pop up in free agency.

Zach Strief - didn't seem as dominant this past year nor able to stay healthy. Can he regain his form next year?

Charles Brown - proved he is a backup at best... when healthy. You do not want him protecting Drew's blind side.

Bryce Harris - Who?

Marcel Jones - showed some promise as a 7th round draft pick, but spent past year on IR

William Robinson - did a very good job when thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. But do not forget, he was sitting on the couch for 3 months before signing with the Saints in late November.

We have to protect our 100 million dollar QB. Without a 2nd round pick, I really believe OT will have to be our first round pick.

 

[Bespoke]

Bryce Harris actually did very well considering he was thrown in for the little he did play vs. San Fran. Hopefully he can get his conditioning up, and maybe he's a player we can groom for the future.

but yes if we don't re-sign Bushrod and fail to address OT and Free Agency that will be a huge need.

 

[JackDiesel]

Are you considering that after the first 2 OT's there is a big dropoff? Say we miss out on Fisher which is likely given his practices at the Senior Bowl, then how exactly do we draft an OT when there isn't another 1st round rated OT in the draft.

If there was one then what you're saying would make sense but if Fisher goes before our pick then we aren't picking an OT.

 

[saintcool13]

I've been saying this all year. We need to protect Drew better.

 

[Bespoke]

Imagine if we could find a way to somehow get Jake Long in Black & Gold.

 

[BigDSaintsFan]

Definitely time to upgrade the tackles. With the defensive switch and cap room, it's gonna be interesting how this plays out.

 

[gradualprocess]

Are you considering that after the first 2 OT's there is a big dropoff? Say we miss out on Fisher which is likely given his practices at the Senior Bowl, then how exactly do we draft an OT when there isn't another 1st round rated OT in the draft.

If there was one then what you're saying would make sense but if Fisher goes before our pick then we aren't picking an OT.

Lane Johnson is being mocked in the 1st by some.

 

[SaintBrad]

We will. Count on it.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[60minutes]

Are you considering that after the first 2 OT's there is a big dropoff? Say we miss out on Fisher which is likely given his practices at the Senior Bowl, then how exactly do we draft an OT when there isn't another 1st round rated OT in the draft.

If there was one then what you're saying would make sense but if Fisher goes before our pick then we aren't picking an OT.

This.

 

[60minutes]

Lane Johnson is being mocked in the 1st by some.

He is, but he's not Joeckel or Fisher. You do not pass on a Jones or Mingo or Jordan or Lotulelei or Hankins for Johnson.

 

[gradualprocess]

He is, but he's not Joeckel or Fisher. You do not pass on a Jones or Mingo or Jordan or Lotulelei or Hankins for Johnson.

I get what you're saying: if a true difference-maker is available at #15, we take them and then probably take a LT in the 3rd (as uncomfortable as that makes me). Then again, we can't ignore the possibility of trading back.

 

[meily]

I have been reading all the mock drafts and projections on this site with all the focus on defensive players. However, looking at the current roster, free agent situation and being over the cap - I see the Saints having to pick an OT with their first pick

Jermon Bushrod - is a UFA and given our cap situation, it will be hard to pay him much. He has been an above average OT - not great tho - and he has a couple of pro bowls on his resume. Someone will overpay for him. Also, top OT don't normally pop up in free agency.

Zach Strief - didn't seem as dominant this past year nor able to stay healthy. Can he regain his form next year?

Charles Brown - proved he is a backup at best... when healthy. You do not want him protecting Drew's blind side.

Bryce Harris - Who?

Marcel Jones - showed some promise as a 7th round draft pick, but spent past year on IR

William Robinson - did a very good job when thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. But do not forget, he was sitting on the couch for 3 months before signing with the Saints in late November.

We have to protect our 100 million dollar QB. Without a 2nd round pick, I really believe OT will have to be our first round pick.

We have alot of prospects on the OLine already on the team, I dont think it will be a need pick, even if we lose Bushrod we just promote Brown and Harris will back him up...I dont see the need like everybody is preaching...I think some people on here want to create a dire situation when there really isnt one.

 

[Kurgan]

Imagine if we could find a way to somehow get Jake Long in Black & Gold.

Not likely now, is it? If we don't have the money for bushrod i doubt we'll have it for long, even with the lackluster year he just had

 

[Goatman Saint]

I don't see Payton taking a OT in the first round. He hasn't picked oline before 4th round except for Brown. I see him going for one more third round who has been scouted for the traits he wants. Our OTs really play pretty simple, direct
Ing traffic around Brees to make a pocket.

 

[Blaz3nDr0]

Same speculation about Carl Nicks last year, then Loomis worked his magic and got a good deal with Grubbs. I have faith in Loomis!

 

[4thqtrsaint]

We usually don't take Oline in first round. If we did, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. If we don't draft one until the 5th round, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. One thing we can be sure of is our offensive scouts.