Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Saints coach Sean Payton said recently that the team’s lack of a left tackle was keeping him up at night, so it’s no surprise that the team is looking to the draft as a potential way to fill the hole opened by the departure of Jermon Bushrod.


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Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson will visit with the team on Tuesday. Johnson’s widely regarded as the third-best left tackle in the draft behind Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher, which would seem to make him a good fit for what the Saints are looking for at present.

The snag is that Johnson isn’t likely to make it all the way to the 15th pick in the first round. The Saints could deal up, obviously, although they only have five picks this season after past deals and the second-round pick taken away from them as a result of the bounty punishments.

For a team that needs plenty of help for a defense in transition, that might be too high a price to pay even if a lack of protection on Drew Brees’ blind side is something interfering with Payton’s REM cycles.


Lane Johnson paying Saints a visit | ProFootballTalk

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Only if we move up.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

You never know. Players drop for whatever reason all of the time. If Warmack, Cooper, and Fluker get taken in the top 15, someone could easily drop a few spots. Lots of buzz surround Fluker and Warmack right now and Cooper is highly thought of also.

Typically outside the top handful of picks, the draft is pretty unpredictable. I wouldn't count ourselves out with Johnson just yet... if he's the player we are coveting. And while we don't have a second this year, we could certainly dangle next year's 2nd if we felt he is worth it.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Unless he comes down to our number, by some miracle there's no way. We can't afford to give up pics in this years or next years draft to move up....

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

I see one of them being available at 15. Who it is will be down to personal preference.

Fluker is ranked 21st in prospects, so unless there is a run on OT.. How many teams need an OT? 4?

Chiefs
Lions
Chargers
Cardinals
NFL Draft - 2013 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Too soon to tell. Still FA going on. Some teams could find other ways to fill their OT needs. There are still a good bit of FA Ts available.
2013 NFL Free Agent Tracker

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

No brainer at 15.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

We need to protrect Drew..........i can't believe that I'm not insisting on derfense, but go get him.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

The absolute best way to protect Drew?


Run the ball. Draft a good run blocker.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Good point. But if you're starting LT can't stay healthy it's time to find better options.

There will still be solid options at LT in round 3 so, Payton doesn't HAVE to reach for Johnson (uh...huh-huh) :D.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Imho we will not trade up. IF and that is a big IF, Johnson was to drop to #15 we would likely be feilding tons of offers to trade down. Whatsoever happens L.Johnson dropping to #15 would be a blessing.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

No OT will be there at 15 when it comes to Joeckel, Fisher or Johnson. I am 100% sure of that. Warmack likely won't be there either and maybe not Cooper as OG's. Very nice o-line draft.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Thats 5 picks, so that leaves at least one of the top 10 defensive players for us, and if those two WR's gets picked then it leaves at least one of the top 8 defensive players for us at 15.

Throw in Milliner and Geno and that leaves us 1 of the top 6.

I can definitely live with any one of the top 6 defenders, which is probably one of the following players...

DT Flloyd
DE Werner
DT Latulelei
OLB Jordan
DE Ansah
OLB Mingo
CB Rhodes
OLB Jones

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

I'm ready for the draft to be over with and the season to start. I hate speculating.

We need to replace Zach Strief.

We need at least one more pass rusher.

We need another WR. Losing Robert Meachem hurt more then I ever expected.

We need a LT.

We need a ballhawking defensive back.

If we fill at least 2 of these holes we'll be fine. No team can be perfect.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

I don't think losing Robert Meachem made one single first down's difference in the 2012 squad.

I actually thought it would, but I don't think it did at all.

He was useless in San Diego.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

when the season ended he was in the 15 to 20 range for most big boards. his song and dance was expected to be good in the combine so no real surprise the so called expects love him more now.

he still has holes in his game and the hype has him high.

so 15 is realistic.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

I really think it did. He was our best deep threat. I knew he'd suck in San Diego. He's the product of our system. I really liked him though. He was my favorite.

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

Saints select any of those players and someone would need to pull me off my living room ceiling with a rake

Re: Draft Lane Johnson?
 

DT Latulelei
OLB Jordan
DE Ansah
DT Flloyd
DE Werner
OLB Mingo
CB Rhodes
OLB Jones

All to much hype and upside for my taste. not sold 100% on any of them for this team. but a pick will need to be made none the less