Saints Draft Prospects: Offensive Line Easter Eggs
The New Orleans Saints have had tremendous success at finding offensive linemen from smaller schools and non-traditional powers. Terron Armstead (Arkansas Pine-Bluff, 2013), Jermon Bushrod (Towson, 2007), Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg, 2006) and Zach Strief (Northwestern, 2006) were unknown draft picks that carved out a significant place in franchise history.
In 2022, the Saints dipped back into that small school well when they used a first-round choice on Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa. Armstead, Bushrod, Evans, and Strief were all selected in the third round or later.
Penning is expected to take over the left tackle spot in 2022, hopefully giving the team a strong bookend of tackles with Ryan Ramczyk. This would allow the steady James Hurst to provide stronger depth with Calvin Throckmorton.
The Saints depth up front has been tested in the last two years. Penning, guards Cesar Ruiz and Andrus Peat, and C Erik McCoy missed a combined 27 games in 2022. Ramczyk has had issues with a knee that caused him to miss seven contests in 2021 and hampered him last season.
New Orleans has yet to pick up the fifth-year option on Ruiz and the oft-injured Peat is entering the last year of his contract. With Ramczyk's knee and Penning still unproven, the Saints could address the offensive line in the draft.
Here are a few ''Easter Eggs'' from lesser regarded schools that could attract NFL teams.
T/G - Cody Mauch
North Dakota State (Sr.)
6'5" 302-Lbs.
Feb 2, 2023; National offensive lineman Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (70) practices during Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
A Division II/FCS power that has won 17 National Championships, the Bison has produced some NFL talent over the years. This includes Mauch in 2023, who's been a three-year starter at left tackle for the program.
A powerhouse with excellent size and strength, Mauch may be better suited for an interior spot in the NFL. His short arms and below-average footwork could be problematic in pass protection, especially on the left side.
Mauch plays with a nasty demeanor through each whistle. He's particularly aggressive as a run blocker even into the second level of a defense. If he does move inside, he's shown the fluid movement and football IQ to excel on double teams and plays with solid leverage to avoid getting moved backwards.
Mauch has risen to the point that he's even been a late first-round choice in some mocks. Whether he stays at tackle or moves inside, he looks sure to come off the board no later than midway through Day 2.
T/G - Matthew Bergeron
Syracuse (Sr.)
6'5" 318-Lbs.
Syracuse Orange offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (60) blocks against the Boston College Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY
The rejuvenation of the Syracuse program has been fueled by breakout stars like Bergeron. After starting his career as a true freshman starter at right tackle, Bergeron flipped to the left side midway through 2020 and earned All-ACC honors last season.
A decent athlete, Bergeron may be better suited for guard once in the NFL. His footwork and hand placement are very erratic in pass protection, allowing more athletic edge rushers to get on top of him or by him quickly.
Bergeron is an extremely efficient run blocker. He shows outstanding hand placement, ability to sustain, and drive blocking strength. His effective side-to-side range and ability to open his hips quickly would also be a strong trait for interior pass blocking.
Concerns about Bergeron's pass protection or time it would take to develop with a move inside drops him down the draft board slightly. However, his dominance as an athletic run blocker and developmental upside could sneak him into a late Day 2 selection or make him a potential Day 3 steal.
G/T - McClendon Curtis
Tennessee-Chattanooga (Sr.)
6'6" 324-Lbs.
Feb 1, 2023; National offensive lineman McClendon Curtis of UT-Chattanooga (52) practices with National defensive lineman Keion White of Georgia Tech (6) during Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
The Chattanooga program has produced NFL successes like DB Buster Skrine, WR Terrell Owens, and 2022 first-round choice G Cole Strange. New Orleans used a 2015 fifth-round pick on LB Davis Tull, who'd have little success at the NFL level.
A three-time All-Southern Conference selection, Curtis played most of his career at guard but has the body length and some experience at tackle. As a run blocker, he'll have to vastly improve his upper body strength and balance. Those same two concerns can also be a liability in interior pass protection against power rushers.
Curtis has the long arms and wingspan coveted in tackles. His broad frame is also set up to add upper body mass. He's shown the skills to excel in a zone blocking scheme and has the natural footwork for a high upside.
Curtis is a developmental prospect that probably won't be drafted until Day 3 and could even be added as an undrafted signing. However, he has ideal measurables and could develop into a potential starter with good coaching.
G - Sidy Sow
Eastern Michigan (Sr.)
6'5" 323-Lbs.
Dec 26, 2019; Pitt Panthers defensive back Paris Ford (12) grabs the facemask of Eastern Michigan Eagles offensive lineman Sidy Sow (62). Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY
Sow started his career as a right tackle before moving inside for Eastern Michigan in the MAC conference. He'd wind up a four-year starter and three-time All-MAC selection at multiple positions.
Sow struggles mightily with technique and fundamentals. His footwork can be rigid and sluggish. He can be slow to snap into his stance as a pass blocker and poor angles in the running game has allowed tackles to get penetration.
Mass and length are two coveted qualities, and Sow has both. He sets a strong base in pass protection that snuffs out power rushers. As a run blocker, he drives into a defense with force to create lanes for his running backs.
A probable Day 3 or undrafted prospect, Sow also brings the value of a lot of playing experience at multiple positions. He'll need strong fundamental coaching at the next level, but has the traits to develop into a versatile contributor.
G - Nick Saldiveri
Old Dominion (Sr.)
6'6" 318-Lbs.
Sep 10, 2022; Old Dominion Monarchs offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri (64) blocks East Carolina Pirates linebacker Jeremy Lewis (11). Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY
Old Dominion hasn't exactly been a football hotbed, but they have produced NFL players like QB Taylor Heinicke, DE Oshane Ximines, and WR Zach Pascal. As a three-year starter for the Monarchs, Saldiveri seems sure to add his name to that list.
Despite his size, Saldiveri can struggle as a run blocker. He'll have to improve his core strength and hand placement for better leverage against power defenders. While technically sound, he'll have to start playing with a more nasty demeanor.
Saldiveri is an outstanding pass blocker. He has great body control and balance while showing the foot agility to counter athletic rushers. His pad level stays square in lateral movement to give him a leverage advantage in pass protection or when pulling on outside plays. He also seems to be a student of the game and makes seamless in-game adjustments to his opponents.
Today's NFL is all about rushing the quarterback and pass protection. Saldiveri checks off that box. While he needs to develop as a run blocker and play with more power, he has the pass protection capability to be a surprise late-Day 2 or early Day 3 selection.
With the success that the Saints have had in the past with linemen from lesser regarded schools and their need up front, don't be surprised if one of these names are called by New Orleans during the 2023 NFL Draft.
