Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

(Mike Triplett)

The New Orleans Saints are packing in a lot of draft research this week at one of their top positions of need -- wide receiver.

On Tuesday, USC’s Marqise Lee was at the Saints’ practice facility for a pre-draft visit. On Wednesday, the Saints will travel an hour up the road to Baton Rouge for LSU’s pro day, where they’ll get a closer look at Tigers receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, among others.

The Saints always bring their full contingent of coaches and scouts to LSU’s pro day because of the proximity and their close relationship with the school. But they might be even more interested this year than most because of the receiver duo.
Buzz around Beckham: Beckham would seem to be an ideal fit for the Saints, since he could add a much-needed explosive element to both their offense and their punt return game. The only problem is that Beckham probably won’t last to New Orleans’ first-round pick at No. 27.

Beckham (5-foot-11, 198 pounds) cemented his status as a first-round pick -- and possibly even a top-20 pick -- with an impressive performance in February at the NFL scouting combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.

Chances are, Beckham will stand on most of his workout numbers there and simply use the afternoon at LSU’s campus as a meet-and-greet session.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Beckham has a lot going for him. In addition to being an “explosive talent” who causes problems for defenses because of his ability to accelerate, Kiper Jr. said everything from Beckham’s “hands, his character, his attitude, his approach is outstanding.”

Beckham caught 59 passes for 1,152 yards and eight touchdowns last season, setting the LSU single-season record with 2,222 all-purpose yards.

Lee under the radar? While the buzz seems to be growing with Beckham, it has seemed to fade around Lee ever since his sensational sophomore season of 2012.

That year, Lee was a first-team All-American and the winner of the Biletnikoff award as the nation’s top receiver. He caught an astounding 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns two years ago, while also serving as an explosive kickoff returner.

However, the 5-11, 192-pounder had a quiet junior season in 2013, in part because of a nagging left knee injury that sidelined him for three games. Lee caught just 57 passes for 791 yards and four touchdowns last season, and struggled at times with dropped passes.

Then Lee posted a decent but not-so-dynamic time of 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which seemed to move him a few spots down in everyone’s mock drafts.

The Saints would probably love it if Lee fell to them at No. 27 -- though that still seems like a long shot based on what Lee has proven he can do on the field. He has drawn comparisons to the New York Giants’ Victor Cruz.

“Lee is the kind of receiver you draft with slight questions on ceiling but a high degree of certainty regarding immediate impact,” Kiper Jr. wrote.

Another receiver expected to be drafted in the mid-to-late first round is Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks, another dynamic speedster who projects as more of a slot receiver because of his size (5-10, 189).

And Florida State’s bigger, more physical receiver Kelvin Benjamin (6-5, 240) is projected by many analysts as a first-round possibility.

If the Saints don’t land a receiver in Round 1, however, LSU’s Landry could be an attractive option at the end of Round 2.

Big day for Landry: Landry (6-0, 205) was the first receiver Kiper Jr. mentioned when asked about second-round possibilities on a recent conference call.

Landry hurt his stock when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.77 seconds at the combine. But he showed a good combination of speed and physical toughness in college and was actually more productive than Beckham last season, with a team-high 77 catches for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Landry will certainly use today’s showcase as a chance to run a faster 40-yard dash and try and raise his stock heading into next month’s draft. ESPN analyst and former general manager Bill Polian said during the combine that it would be important for Landry to do so.

“It’d be hard for me to believe that’s his real time, having seen him play,” Polian told The Advocate at the time. “That aside, it’s only important if he doesn’t come back and do a lot better at his pro day.”

Mettenberger on display: The biggest buzz from LSU’s pro day will likely be generated by quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The 6-5, 224-pounder will show off his big arm in front of scouts and coaches for the first time since his January surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Mettenberger isn’t completely recovered yet, but he hopes to impress teams with how well he’s progressing. And he could help boost his chances of becoming a second-round draft pick. Stay tuned for reports from his workout Wednesday.
Marqise Lee, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry among WR options - ESPN

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Zach Mettenberger could fall to rd 5 and be a steal for N.O. He could sit and learn under Brees and take over in 3 years.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Lots of buzz of Mettenberger going in the 2nd. LSU's Pro Day is today and he'll be participating at nearly 100%. The game tape is there and if he does well today, it's going to solidify his position as a high round draft pick imo. He's the best traditional style quarterback prospect in this draft imo. I like him more than Blake Bortles. Now I'm not saying Zach deserves to be mentioned anywhere near the first half of the first round, I'm just saying I think Bortles is overrated. I think Bridgewater is the cream of the crop and the rest are just pretty solid prospects. But given their position and teams need to find that franchise quarterback, the position is often over drafted.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Yeah, I read that too. I was hoping his injury might push him to rd 4 or 5. He would be a great backup and the future of the Saints. But as we all know, if SP and Loomis like him they will get him. If the right people fall in rd 1 and 2 I would not be surprised to see the pull the trigger on a QB in the 4th.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I feel like David Fales is another QB we might take a shot at in the later rounds. I really like Mettenberger, but Fales is a steal in the later rounds.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Jarvis runs a 4.58 at the Pro Day. I'd love to have him in the third I it's possible. He deserves to go higher but who knows.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I don't like Mettenberger at all. I feel he's what kept LSU from being the Alabama of the last couple of years. Him and Jordan. Jefferson. LSU never produces good QB's, or has them. The best they've ever had is probably Jamarcus Russell, and we see what happened there.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Did you even watch the LSU games last year? Their offense was wide open. The defense is what hurt them.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Agreed on Mettenberger. I watched a number of LSU games last year and I recall him being warm or ice cold. Never hot. I'm not the judge of "football talent" that some here are, but Mettenberger, in my opinion, is a career backup at best.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I'd be ecstatic if we landed Odell Beckham, he's a huge game changer

I think in a draft like this though, the are so many WR's this year

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Every game. That's my team. How was he the year before last? Garbage right? I saw plenty of that flash this past year too.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

In all fairness, the majority looks garbage against Bama's defense.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Didn't Mettenberger pay on one leg last year? :rolleyes:

He wasn't the problem and was easiest the best QB they have had in many many years.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I'm pretty sure it's plenty of LSU fans like myself on this board, you sure y'all aren't looking at Mettenberger through rose colored glasses? Yeah, he flashed potential here and there, but nothing I'd want to try and develop. There are way better prospects. How about the guy who actually beat him out at Georgia. Mettenberger is a slow decision maker, holds the ball way too long, and has accuracy issues in my opinion. Like someone said before, he's hot and cold. I see people destroy QB'S like Matt Ryan all day but you think Mettenberger is a good prospect? Nah son...

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Jamarcus was better. What happened in the NFL seems to taint the memory of people, seeing how there was a reason he got picked #1 and we're talking about taking Zach in the 5th. He's Matt Flynn all over again.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

LSU runs a pro style offense. If Les had his way, they would never throw the ball. What Rez said is absolutely correct. ZM was very streaky. Go read the write ups on him from scouts and you will read the same thing. He is a old school pocket passer. The problem with that is, you have to have good accuracy and thats one area he struggles with. When he is on, he is ON but to many games not on for my liking. IMO he should not be drafted any earlier than round 3.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

In what regard does he compare to Matt Flynn?

They are nothing alike. Not even remotely similar.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

4.58? Welcome to the 2nd round Jarvis.

I'd pull the trigger on him in the 2nd, and maybe trade up for him if he lasts until the 3rd.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

In regards to the fact that he'll be a career back up and certain people will pretend he should be a starter, give him a nice check, and he'll disappoint.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Well, the odds are in your favor. Most quarterback prospects bust out anyways.

Always nice to see a fellow Tiger fan rooting for their own.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I never liked Mettenberger at LSU. I can't lie to you. So I won't even pretend like I'm rooting for him or care about how his career ends up. If he turns out to be good, that's good for him, but he's not my favorite guy to come through LSU. I had two former team mates who played for LSU. Richard and Travis Dickson. I was realistic about them too, although I rooted for them extra hard. That's just me.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

4.58? Good enough for me.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

And that's your prerogative. I can't make you like him. While I can agree with the criticism of his game, I just choose not to dwell on the negatives. In one year under Cam Cameron, he became an exponentially better quarterback. Just imagine if he had another season or two under Cam's guidance. There's a reason why he's picking up steam... but you can choose to ignore it.

Also while you question whether or not some may be looking at him through rose colored glasses...

...one could question whether or not you are using your bias towards him.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Beckham is one of those guys I want much like I wanted Percy Harvin some years ago, but probably minus all the injuries and such.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Nice to see Jarvis improved on his Pro day. He will never be confused as a burner but he has great hands and will go across the middle with no fear.

I still think he is a 2nd day pick as most draft experts have predicted. I'm pulling for him wherever he lands.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I would take Landry with #27. Now do you see why I'm not an NFL GM?

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I am extremely biased towards him. But my bias is that I watched him his first year, he was garbage. Watched him his second year, he was better, but inconsistent as hell so he never won me over. So yeah, I don't like him, and it can be considered bias, but it's because I don't like his play. That's why I don't like him. Not for no reason. I didn't like Jordan Jefferson. I didn't like Matt Flynn. I liked Jamarcus his senior year, and I loved Ryan Perriloux. This is performance bias.

Question is, you think we should draft him and try to develop him? I can see the attraction to him. I just don't believe in him. But if you do, tell me why. Tell me what sells you outside of the Cam Cameron thing.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

No I don't think we should draft and develop him. I don't see him as a fit for our offense. I'm an Aaron Murray guy myself... I think he's tailor made for our offense. Mettenberger is being linked to the Vikings and I see how he fits into Norv Turner's offense. He has a cannon for an arm and has prototypical size. He's capable of making all the throws and not afraid to step up in the pocket and take a big hit. His big issue with me has always been his ability to harness his big arm and to improve on his touch passes. He still has a ways to go and would probably take a few years of good coaching before he's able to make an impact for anyone. Consistency is definitely an issue but the same can be said about the majority of young quarterbacks that enter the NFL every year... he's no different. All of these guys are far from a finished product.

I think that should kill any perceived homer-ism I might have being an LSU guy.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I'm feeling Murray. Like you said, he's not ready yet, but I can remember at some point in his career they thought he'd be a #1 pick. We're pretty much on the same page. Why are we even debating? Smh.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I have season tickets. I have watched every home game the past ten years up close. 2 years ago Mett had a OC that was trash. Last year we got a OC from the NFL which helped Mett big time. Why? Because he is a typical NFL QB. Is he ready to start now...no. Give him 3 years behind Brees and watch what happens.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Zach-2013 SPLITS CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
Season 192 296 3082 64.9 10.41 63 22 8 21 171.4

Murray-CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
Season 225 347 3075 64.8 8.86 98 26 9 13 158.8

Just to compare. If Mett was hot and cold last year what was Murray?

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

From the perspective of a non-LSU fan I like Mettenberger if he falls to us. He has some authority about him when he stands in the pocket and obviously his arm is great. I do wonder how he's going to be in terms of distributing the ball to running backs and wide receivers. As much as I like his talent he's got a little bit of Stafford/Cutler in him (the bad parts). But that is probably as much coaching as anything else.

But I don't think we need a QB. Griffin is our heir apparent.

As for the receivers I like Beckham a lot. He's probably become my #1 hope for the first round. With his speed and RAC ability we could do all kinds of things with reverses and quick screens that our current group of receivers just can't pull off. Not to mention punt returns. Landry, I'm kind of meh on. I just don't see anything in him that we don't already have with Toon.

Marquise Lee strikes me as a typical flashy USC player meaning that he probably won't live up to expectations. I can't remember the last time a USC offensive player really did.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I like Allen Robinson.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

4 td's better on a lesser team. And the guy who won them the head to head match up.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

He threw the ball 50 more times. Both QB's were fantastic in that head to head match up. Aaron Murray's team won, but Mettenberger didn't lose the game.

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Jarvis in the second? steal

no way he last's IMO the kid is too good of a ball player

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Zach? i say he is a solid 3rd now. if a teams gets a man crush on him possible bottom 2? then again dallas did draft old whats his nam at OC in the first round last year so you never know.

I think Zach has a chance to be one of the top QB down the road in say three years from this draft.

if the saints picked him and let him sit and develop i could live with it. i think

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

Here's a little on the pro day from LSU.

Zach Mettenberger shines at LSU Tigers pro day - ESPN

Re: Lee, Beckham, Landry among WR options
 

I thought Ryan Griffin was the long term solution to back up quarterback? Did the team or coaches give some kind of indication that wasn't the case anymore?

On a related topic, I get no rumors in Utah!!! I was talking to a guy down the street yesterday that thought I was French because I was always flying fluer de lis flags outside my house.