Saints 7-Round Mock Draft: NOLA addresses offensive needs early on
player. 847. . Offensive Guard. Hokies . Lecitus Smith. 52
Round 2: Pick 52 – Lecitus Smith, OG (Virginia Tech)
The Saints have done a good job at finding talent at the two tackle spots but the two guard spots have been another story. Andrus Peat has struggled and unfortunately, the Saints are stuck with him and his contract for at least another year. Cesar Ruiz hasn’t been a great right guard this year and while he’s only in year two, NOLA needs to start considering the future beyond Ruiz.
Lecitus Smith has spent the majority of the 2021 season at left guard for the Hokies, starting there for 10 games while starting another at left tackle, according to Virginia Tech’s official athletics site. If he were to take over at left guard, that could spell the end for Peat in a Saints uniform if Smith were to come into camp and impress right off the bat.
The Saints have always prided themselves on having a good offensive line and spending a second-round pick on Smith could continue that tradition. It’s okay to punt on players if they’re not producing at the level they should be and Peat nor Ruiz are performing like starters.
If Smith were the Saints’ second-round pick and wowed in the summer activities, he’d be one of the starters at guard in 2022.