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NFL Draft 2015: New Orleans Saints select Andrus Peat with the 13th overall pick

By Andrew Schuster

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The 2015 NFL Draft is underway, and the New Orleans Saints have made their first pick, taking Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat with the 13th overall pick.  It’s a surprising pick in my opinion with defense a bigger priority, but QB Drew Brees needs his protection and holes need to be opened for the ground attack.  Coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis must not be comfortable with the current situation down on the bayou.  I expecting offensive line to be addresses in the later rounds.

So what does Andrus Peat bring to the table?

At 6-foot-7, 312 pounds, Peat boasts an enormous frame with long arms, broad shoulders and impressive weight distribution.  With surprisingly light feet, well-balanced coordination and that massive physique, Peat has no problem latching on and controlling speedy outside rushers.

Again, guard was thought to be the primary concern for the New Orleans Saints on the offensive line — Peat may be a bit oversized to assume that role.  He also possesses rare athleticism that should not be toyed with and moved to the interior.  Are we looking at a potential Zach Strief replacement?  Maybe they do believe he can be a guard?  We shall see what the plan is.

From GoStanford.com:

As a Junior (2014)
• Sporting News All-America first team
• SI.com All-America first team
• Walter Camp All-America second team
• AP All-America second team
• CBS Sports All-America second team
• Phil Steele All-America third team
• ESPN.com All-America
• Outland Trophy quarterfinalist
• All-Pac-12 first team
• Phil Steele All-Pac-12 first team
• USA Today preseason All-America first team
• SI.com preseason All-America first team
• Athlon preseason All-America first team
• Sporting News preseason All-America
• Phil Steele preseason All-America second team
• Phil Steele midseason All-America second team
• Athlon preseason All-Pac-12 first team
• Sporting News preseason All-Pac-12
• Phil Steele preseason All-Pac-12 first team
• Phil Steele All-Pac-12 midseason first team
• 13 games started at left tackle
• Offensive line ranked 18th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (4.62/game), 42nd in sacks allowed (1.77/game)

This guy could be the real deal at tackle, but of course, with strengths come weaknesses.  Andrus Peat comes too high off the ball on occasion and sometimes lacks the hip-explosiveness to drive his opponents backward.  His laziness catches up with him periodically, allowing inside counter moves during pass protection, but we saw major improvements in 2014 compared to the previous year.

He is a rare, monstrous talent with a very bright future.  However, I still believe defense should have been the go-to with the 13 pick in the first round.  The Saints remain with eight picks to address a need for a pass rusher, inside linebacker, wide receiver, interior lineman and a cornerback.  They’re on the clock again at pick 31.

Next: Saints 2015 Schedule

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