May 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints rookie offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) during organized team activities at the Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

At first glance the New Orleans Saints have some serious issues at left tackle. Jermon Bushrod is gone and it’s up to Charles Brown and a rookie in Terron Armstead to fill the void and properly protect Drew Brees.

Upon further inspection, New Orleans may be just fine at left tackle.

Look no further than Jahri Evans for an explanation. Evans is just the latest in a long tradition the Saints organization has of taking project offensive linemen and flipping them into quality players.

Could Armstead be next?

Back in 2006, Evans was a fourth-round pick for the Saints out of a little-known school called Bloomsberg. The coaching staff threw him to the wolves in his first game and he has not missed a game since while performing as one of the NFL’s best guards.

Armstead comes from a small school as well. As you’ll probably remember, he posted some of the most athletic numbers we have ever seen out of an offensive linemen in the events leading up to the draft. There is a massive, massive leap in talent from his small school to the NFL, but if the coaching staff can lead him along via baby steps his extreme athleticism should allow him to make the proper adjustment.

As we have mentioned before, Brees’ fast release works in Armstead’s favor as well. This means he will not have to drop back into protection as often as other tackles with other teams. Combine this with his athleticism and a proper knowledge of the play book and we could be looking at an instant rookie starter.

There is nothing to say Armstead will ever be as good as Evans. That’s a lot to live up to, but with the way things are going so far, Armstead could very well follow him as a rookie starter from a small school.

After that, the rest is up to him.

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Oct 27, 2012; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defender Eric Martin (46) celebrates during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium in the first half. Nebraska won 23-9. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Much has been said about the New Orleans Saints undrafted-free agent class that the organization absolutely knocked out of the park after the 2013 NFL draft. In most circles the Saints had an amazing class, especially because of linebackers Chase Thomas and Kevin Reddick.

Not many have said anything about former Nebraska linebacker Eric Martin.

Until now.

Dane Brugler over at CBS did some digging and came up with some unheralded undrafted rookies from around the league. For the Saints, Brugler bucked the popular trend and selected Martin as his guy:

As the Saints transition back to a 3-4 defensive scheme led by new coordinator Rob Ryan, Martin has a good chance to stick on the roster as a versatile pass rusher. He was a little-known reserve as an underclassman at Nebraska, but the light bulb seemed to go on for him as a senior, finishing 2012 with team bests in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (16.5). Martin has only average physical tools, but he’s able to win with intensity and initial burst and power to dominate blockers one-on-one using his length effectively. There are some concerns about his ability to digest an NFL playbook, but if the Saints are patient, Martin could be a diamond in the rough.

It is a bold move going away from Reddick and Thomas, both players who should have been selected in the draft. They both have a legit shot at making the final roster, especially with the inexperience in a 3-4 currently plaguing the roster.

Martin did not make a splash until his senior year with Nebraska when he recorded 8.5 sacks. At just 6’1″ and 237 pounds, Martin is undersized and may have trouble making a serious impact during the preseason. He certainly has some quality pass-rushing ability about him, but it’s hard to imagine Martin makes a serious push this preseason given the wealth of talent already on the roster—including his fellow undrafted rookies.

Give Martin a year or two to develop and he could find his way on to the field with the Saints. Unless Martin picks up the NFL game insanely fast and turns heads all preseason, he’ll at least have a potential spot on the practice squad.

What do you think are Martin’s chances? Let us know in the comments section below or on Twitter @whodatdish or  on Facebook.

Nov 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) tries to break free from the grasp of Oakland Raiders safety Mike Mitchell (34) at the O.co Coliseum. The Saints defeated the Raiders 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Conventional wisdom says you are unable to grade an NFL draft class until three years have passed, so would be the time take a look back and re-grade the New Orleans Saints performance in the 2010 NFL draft.

As hardcore fans known, this is the class that brought you big names such as Jimmy Graham, Patrick Robinson and more.

Our good friends over at With The First Pick graded the Saints selections as follows:

Before having an instant reaction to the grades, let’s took a look at the reasoning behind the numbers:

Analysis:  First round pick Patrick Robinson came on slow in 2010.  He later started part of the season in 2011 and took over full time in 2012.  While the value of the draft pick was questionable early on, Robinson’s pick back to make much more sense by 2012.  Charles Brown was drafted to eventually take over as a starting tackle.  That plan really hasn’t worked out thus far although Brown will be forced into that role starting in 2013.  So far the pick has not panned out.  A part time player at tackle is something you would expect out of a late round pick, not a second.  All is forgiven, however, with the selection of Jimmy Graham in the third round.  Graham has had over 2.6000 yards receiving and 25 touchdowns in three years.  Not bad for being the fifth tight end taken in the 2010 draft.  None of the late round picks are still with the team.  It’s never a bad thing to win a Super Bowl and then draft a Pro Bowl tight end a few months later.  But if Robinson can continue to develop and Brown can solidify the offensive line this could go from being an “O.K.” draft to a great one.

It’s hard to argue with any of the ratings. Robinson has been a disappointment to this point in his career, as has offensive tackle Charles Brown.

Of course, Jimmy Graham is the highlight of the class and one of the NFL’s best tight ends. His presence alone in this class makes it difficult to be all that angry with the misfires before him.

Overall, not a great class for New Orleans.Even more troubling is the fact Robinson and Brown have done little to make many think they have what it takes to turn things around.

How would you grade the Saints 2010 draft class? Let us know in the comments below!

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