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LAKEN TOMLINSON, Offensive Guard, Duke

Like another player that I profiled recently in Division III star Guard Ali Marpert of Hobart College, Duke Blue Devils guard Laken Tomlinson (6-foot-3¼, 323 pounds) was singled out by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock as having one of the best weeks of practice two weeks ago in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

Mayock was especially impressed by Tomlinson’s work in drills against Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who generally was considered the top prospect at the Senior Bowl.

Mayock had said during the NFL Network’s coverage of Senior Bowl practices that he thought Tomlinson “shot up draft boards” with his work that week.

Tomlinson was born in Jamaica and moved to Chicago when he was in eighth grade. He redshirted as a true freshman at Duke in 2010, then started every single game the next four seasons.

Get this: Tomlinson didn’t allow a sack in nearly three years, shutting out opposing defensive linemen from getting to the QB in both 2013 and 2014.

Tomlinson is also very gifted academically, and had a double major at Duke — evolutionary anthropology and psychology — and has aspirations of becoming a doctor.

Those aspirations likely will have to be put off for at least a few years as Tomlinson presumably enjoys life in the NFL.

His size and intelligence jump out at you, and he has good initial quickness and lateral agility in pass protection, as well as impressive flexibility to “anchor” against bull rushers.

So — why isn’t he rated higher alongside say a La’el Collins of LSU? That’s because Scouts say that he needs to work on his hand technique, and improve on his pass-blocking (he’d have to if he’s protecting Drew Brees) by playing lower to get better leverage.

Those are flaws considered to be coachable, and is the reason why he could fall to the Saints in Round #3.

With the Saints obviously needing to protect Brees for the remainder of his time as the QB of the Saints, Tomlinson could fit the necessary requirement.

Full article: Draft Sleepers Who Could Immediately Impact the Saints

saintsfan1976

Fits the Payton profile of offensive lineman draft candidates

halloween 65

I actually like all of them but I would still like to get Perryman and if Anthony was still there on the next pick I'm all for it. Sooner or later Lofton will decline and we could kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I like that DT also.

Rugby Saint II

We need to restock the shelves desperately. I don't see us making any reaches in this years draft. There are several intriguing prospects that should be available in the mid rounds. If we could just get lucky and nail our first pick it would be a tremendous step toward fixing this roster.

We usually do fairly well picking in the second and third rounds because that is where you should be taking calculated risks. There are always players that slip out of the first for various reasons. I hated giving up a third rounder to move up for Cooks because we normally do very well getting good players in the third round.

In the fourth and fifth rounds we were money for years......on offense. Not so much on defense. However, that should change with our new FO additions. Our approach has been taking a high risk in these rounds and the gamble hasn't been paying off. I anticipate less reaches in this draft and better scouting for players that fit our system.

In the sixth and seventh rounds the Saints have been about average in judging talent. We've had the occasional success but where we have an advantage is with our UDFA's. We have a good success rate with the undrafted players and have strengthened our roster with them but I'd rather be successful in the earlier rounds.

hagan714

not a bad list at all. Diggs i question a bit but nickle and dime is cool

papz

Another related article.

The NFL combine is coming; who will the Saints be watching most? | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

billyt81

OK resident Purple and Gold homer here. We said sleepers right? I don't wanna watch another Tiger light it up for someone else. Especially one named Hilliard. If Kenny Hilliard is there 4th or later, get him. 235+lb tailback who can block and catch the football. At the very least he is a great short yardage back.