Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Mike Mayock is one of the most respected NFL Draft experts in the field.

Seventy-eight days before the annual collegiate player selection event, he’s as mystified as anyone as to what the Saints will do thanks to the many variables at play for the franchise.

“As far as the Saints are concerned at (pick No.) 27, you’re right – there’s an awful lot of questions there and you relate it to salary cap and late in the first round who is left,” Mayock said Tuesday during a pre-combine conference call.

New Orleans is estimated to be more than $2.5 million beneath the salary cap, according to ESPN’s John Clayton. But it still must find room for tight end Jimmy Graham, who is expected to command top dollar in what could end up being drawn out contract negotiations. There also must be room for draft picks.

Additionally, New Orleans is aging at receiver, where Marques Colston and Lance Moore both just completed their eighth season and Robert Meachem his seventh.

And in the defensive backfield, the Saints are likely in need of help after jettisoning cornerback Jabari Greer and safety Roman Harper, both key members of the defense at some point in their tenures with New Orleans.
Still, if Mayock were selecting for the Saints, he’d look towards the offensive line.

Read more: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round | wwltv.com New Orleans

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Dumb article. They admit Evans, Grubbs and Armstead are cemented into their positions so they are saying we should take a center or right tackle in the first round. Those are positions you just dont use a first round pick on.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Couldn't agree with you more, Jack. Mayock completely ignores the success we've had drafting lineman in the late rounds (usually from small schools) too. I imagine we'll go with the BPA on day 1.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Take the best player on the board in a position that is needed.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

I really wouldn't mind a center for Brees to step up in the pocket. I hate to say it but his article is correct I just don't know about the 1st pick or not.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Speedy Linebacker please

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

What if there are no OTs left with1st round grades when we pick?

We should go bpa not named qb, k, p, or fb.

And by the way, he never actually said we should select a tackle at 27.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

+1.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

O-Line in the first round. Unreal no way. Expert LMAO.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

We do need more fresh beef up front.... just maybe not in the first round.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Go P or go home! We need depth.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

I'd be alright with a center first round if we don't take a place kicker.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

There are no centers worth taking in the first round. Probably not in the first two. Swanson is the best and even he has some pretty apparent weaknesses. I'd way rather have the Ohio St. kid in the 4th or 5th, he is one tough mofo.

The only way an OL makes sense in the first round is if one of the stud left tackles inexplicably falls all the way down. Then you let him and Armstead battle it out for the starting job, loser moves to the right side and takes over for Strief.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

right tackle with solid ability to maybe start. round 2 and 3 has some solid picks.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Strange indeed, since he himself talked about that very same thing at length during last year's draft broadcast after the Saints took Armstead.

On a different note; I still think the Saints might have something in Marcel Jones worth keeping an eye on, but he probably won't be at the level he would need to be in order to be a starting RT next season. He was very very raw coming out of college and he had that bad injury during his first season with the Saints, so maybe having spent last years in the PS has allowed the coaching staff to really work with him on the fundamentals of the tackle position..?

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

Marcel Jones hmmm i just about wrote him off. well we know the bottom of the OT depth chart. that would be a nice surprise if he could be the added depth we need so starter caliber ROT is all that would be left to obtain.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

From what I remember of Marcel last preseason, he is a lot like Strief early in his career. He is a little bit finesse and his height works against him in terms of getting leverage. But Strief overcame those things pretty quickly, so there's hope.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

If Taylor Lewan is there we pick him in a heartbeat. Weston Richburg C is a possible 3rd. Addressing our OL is a concern.

Re: Draft expert: Saints should go with offensive lineman in first round
 

if we did it has to be a starter with the ability to move inside down the road ie 3 yrs when grubs and evens are FA. so smart money goes with Zack Martin. streif walks. Cap driven move