Yesterday we discussed some possible wide receivers that we could see the Saints select in the first two rounds. Today we are going to shift to the big guys that protect the quarterback. With sub-par play coming from the center and tackle position last year, both positions could be possible targets for New Orleans. Terron Armstead filled in nicely at left tackle, Zach Strief signed a long term deal at right tackle, and both Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs are in the middle of their long term deals. The only real position of need as of now is center, but I could see the Saints using one of their early picks at any of the positions on the line to sure up the future. It’s more likely that they wait until rounds 3-5, considering the enormous amount of success they’ve had drafting lineman in that range, but some of these guys could end up in black and gold if they are high on the Saints’ board and they fall to the right spot.
Taylor Lewan
Position: Tackle
College: Michigan
Height/Weight: 6’7″ / 309 lbs
225 Bench: 29 reps
Strengths: His size and length, along with his athleticism, give him the frame to make an immediate at left tackle in the NFL. His aforementioned nastiness has become very useful on the football field, though he has the ability to turn if off once he unbuckles his chin strap. Was a great leader at Michigan. He excels in one on one battles, and does an excellent job of keeping his head on a swivel, allowing him to better read blitz pickups and stunts that defenses will try to use to cause confusion and a missed assignment. Shows great side to side mobility to go along with his strong face up blocking.
Weaknesses: At times, he tended to drop his head during blocks, allowing an athletic rusher to capitalize with a quick move to get past him. He was penalized more often than what you’d like, at times getting a bit lazy and trying to use his natural ability rather than his learned fundamentals. Needs to better his timing with the snap count and not get caught standing so upright on some plays.
Comparison: Jake Long
Availability: Lewan is one of the players that has flown up the draft boards within the past few weeks. The consensus had him as a mid to late round pick in the first, but recently he’s been mocked in the top 10. It’s pretty unlikely that he ends up in black and gold, unless he starts to slip and the Saints have high praises for him.
Zack Martin
Position: Guard/Tackle
College: Notre Dame
Height/Weight: 6’4″ / 308 lbs
225 Bench: 29 reps
Strengths: Plays with good quickness off of the snap. Pretty athletic with the ability to stay in front of the more athletic rushers. Keeps his butt low and anchored, along with his feet underneath him to handle both speed and power. Displays pretty good straight line speed with the ability to get to the second level on run plays. Also shows a nastiness streak with the ability to pancake his defender. Many believe he has the ability to play all five positions on the line in the NFL. Although his height and reach is a little smaller than desired for left tackle, his athleticism certainly helps. He’s very dynamic and will be a very big asset to whichever team drafts him for that reason.
Weakness: For teams looking for a starting tackle, his aforementioned height and arm reach could be considered weaknesses. He’s a little clunky when moving backwards in pass protection, rather than a more natural sliding motion.
Comparison: Logan Mankins
Availability: Martin has been one of the few players that has been mocked in the same position for the majority of the pre-draft process. Most believe he’s a good fit for Miami at #19. He’ll very likely be gone by #27, so he’s another guy the Saints would have to have slip or move up to get him.
Morgan Moses
Position: Tackle
College: Virginia
Height/Weight: 6’6″ / 314 lbs
225 Bench: N/A
Strengths: Provides the height and length appropriate to play left tackle in the NFL. A very patient blocker, while creating a strong base with his feet to move whichever way the defender goes. Has very long arms and knows how to use them to his advantage by jabbing the defender away, keeping him from getting to his body. Fluid when sliding laterally. Very good first step and shows explosiveness off of the line of scrimmage to get to the second level on run plays. Does a good job anchoring himself and keeping defenders from knocking him off balance.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t show strong commitment when blocking in space and having to make a decision, especially on run plays to the outside. Not very good when having to stop and start again. Smaller defenders are a problem for him, not showing great ability to get low.
Comparison: Ryan Clady
Availability: Very good chance he is available at #27. I believe the Saints top priorities are receiver, corner back, and linebacker, but if the top prospects at those positions are gone and there is no option to trade back, Moses could be a possibility.
Cyrus Kouandji
Position: Tackle
College: Alabama
Height/Weight: 6’7″ / 322 lbs
225 Bench: 22 reps
Strengths: Has fantastic size for an NFL left tackle. Very long arms and good height to be a mammoth at the position. It’s been reported that he is 16% body fat, which is incredible for a man of his size. Pretty quick off the snap and has natural ability to slide laterally. His athleticism shows in pass protection, but his ability to run block is just as impressive. He uses his quickness to beat defenders to the punch, opening up running lanes for the back.
Weaknesses: Needs work on his fundamentals. Like Lewan, he tends to rely on his athleticism at times. He also tends to drop his head in contact. Before the 2013 season, he was projected to be one of the top tackles in this year’s draft, but after dealing with injuries and a sub-par season, questions have arisen.
Comparison: D.J. Fluker
Availability: Out of the top lineman, Kouandjio is probably the toughest to project where he’ll be taken. He’s been mocked as early as the middle of the first round to anywhere in the second. It’s very likely he’s available at #27, but with other needs, he is probably too big of a risk for the Saints. I don’t believe he’ll last till the Saints are on the clock in the second round at #58, but he’s certainly a possibility for them to try and move up in the second if he begins to slide. Given his abilities, if his health pans out in the NFL, he could be a steal anywhere outside of the first round.
Joel Bitonio
Position: Tackle/Guard
College: Nevada
Height/Weight: 6’4″ / 302 lbs
225 Bench: 22 reps
Strengths: Very nasty blocker who plays with an attitude. Very good speed for a big man, running a 4.97 in the 40 yard dash at the combine. Has the ability to take defenders completely out of the play. A tough player that is durable and versatile at the same time. Similar to Martin, Bitonio can play any position on the offensive line, providing himself as a very good asset. Very high moral and football character. Strong leader and hard worker.
Weaknesses: His nasty streak tends to get him a little over-hyped at times, causing him to slip off of blocks from being over-aggressive. Blocks with his hands a little too wide at times. Could improve his knee position to create a stronger base.
Comparison: Marshall Newhouse
Availability: Could go anywhere in the second round. Given his versatility, he could be a great selection for the Saints at #58 overall. Considered by most to be top 3 at the guard position and could learn a lot from Evans/Grubbs, while pushing them to stay hungry as they age.
Ja’Wuan James
Position: Tackle
College: Tennessee
Height/Weight: 6’6″ / 311 lbs
225 Bench: 22 reps
Strengths: Very light feet given his size. Provides great quickness off the snap with natural sliding ability to protect the edge against variety of rushers. Like Kouandjio, he played very highly skilled competition in the SEC and held his own. Stays on the balls of his feet and provides a strong base. Very good run blocker, flashes the ability to drive defenders completely out of the play. Good at getting to the second level.
Weaknesses: Due to his height, sometimes struggles getting to the same level of shorter defenders. Can be stood up at times. Also needs to work on dropping his head and not allowing himself to get beat with an athletic move.
Availability: Another player that could go as high as the middle of the first round if teams go tackle happy, but could also go anywhere in the second. Would provide great value if taken in the second, especially at #58.
Weston Richburg
Position: Center
College: Colorado State
Height/Weight: 6’3″ / 298 lbs
225 Bench: 25 reps
Strengths: Shows good quickness off of the snap and with his first step. Pretty good mobility, getting himself in to good positions. Shows good body control. Very durable, not missing many games in college. He’s a smart player that shows good awareness and plays with a high motor.
Weaknesses: Not ideal size when projecting him against the top nose tackles in the NFL. Not extremely strong, therefore could struggle getting a stern push on defensive tackles when firing off the ball. Not extremely athletic, therefore his range his limited. His balance is not great and at times he slides off of blocks.
Comparison: Brad Meester
Availability: Has been mocked as early as the late second round for some experts, but much more likely to end up a third round pick. Given the Saints’ need for a center, could be a very strong candidate if available at #91 overall.
Marcus Martin
Position: Center
College: USC
Height/Weight: 6’3″ / 320 lbs
225 Bench: 23 reps
Strengths: Provides a very strong frame for an NFL center. A solid, thick player who provides good quickness off of the snap. Very good ability to get to the second level. Can play with a nasty streak, playing all the way through the whistle. Very good athlete, who can be coached. He’s flexible and has the ability to slide laterally.
Weaknesses: Not a ton of experience coming to the NFL. He passed on his senior year to enter the draft and only started one year at USC. Likely more of a project to allow him to learn more. Sometimes plays too low, allowing athletic defenders to slip by. Sometimes over-extends with his jabs. Can get over-aggressive at times, trying to hard to put a defender to the ground, rather than staying within himself.
Comparison: Alex Mack
Availability: Likely anywhere from a second to a third round pick. Much like Terron Armstead, he could use a sort of “redshirt” season in the NFL, possibly two with his lack of extended experience. Definitely an option if he makes it to #91.
That’s all for today, folks. See you tomorrow to talk about some defensive ends!
Who Dat?!
