K Major

The New Orleans Saints must upgrade the left guard spot this offseason, with longtime starter Andrus Peat expected to walk away in free agency. They have a few options on the roster already — veteran Nick Easton, signed last year, has to be the favorite — but otherwise only a couple of inexperienced reserves are on hand, like Will Clapp and Cameron Tom (if he re-signs, being a restricted free agent).

Unfortunately, the 2020 free agent crop isn’t very deep, largely made up of backups looking for their big break. The Saints will probably need to make a big splash if they want to improve. We’ll break the group into tiers following the same general standards from an earlier post discussing free agent options at wide receiver.

https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2020...quinton-spain/

ScottF

I thought Easton played well enough to take the spot. We signed him to be a starter and he's getting starter money.
Seems like Clapp's apprenticeship should be over. Time to decide if he can be a starter or career backup.
Tom? the jury is out

K Major

Brees needs an All Pro guard(s) more than ever.

I would try Joe Thuney as well.

halloween 65

Draft a stud in the draft and be done with it for 10 years or so. Not that complicated. 1st rounder should get it done, problem solved.

AsylumGuido

How can you be sure the player would be a stud? You only have a handful of studs drafted in the entire seven rounds every year. Not that complicated?

halloween 65

I got faith. Payton has only missed on a few O-linemen. He'll strike gold knowing it's a needed position. He!! he's done pretty good with later round picks on the O-line. The D, not so good in the past.

AsylumGuido

I gotta give you that at least recently per o-line.

Rugby Saint II

True Dat! We've hit on every O-lineman that we've drafted in the first round except for Peat. I don't blame them for drafting him at all. He looked good but he came in soft and never really changed even with an NFL strength program. It's been years since we had a Carl Nicks mentality on the O-line. We need a road grader who can pass block.

We had success with Armstead in the third round(I think) but it's been years since we've been able to develop later round players. However, we try too many UDFA's for the developmental squads and they don't develop. A first rounder is there because they have all the talent needed to be successful.....well, besides Peat. Put your money on proven winners in the first round. Use mid round picks for small school prospects who haven't really been tested but have all the traits you look for.

I'd rather invest our resources in the O-line with either draft picks(preferably) or a top flight free agent and then develop skill positions with later draft picks.