Saints mock draft: NOLA prepares for life without Michael Thomas
Chippewas . Bernhard Raimann. 100. player. 403. . Offensive Tackle
Round 3: Pick 100 – Bernhard Raimann, OT (Central Michigan)
Another long-time Saint the team could be losing this offseason is left tackle, Terron Armstead. It’s not that Armstead isn’t a talented player, but rather his age paired with his injury history. NOLA can’t afford to give him the near-$100 million he’s projected to earn in free agency.
That means New Orleans has to find a replacement for Armstead in the draft and if they could land Bernhard Raimann in the third round, that’d be a dream come true scenario.
Raimann is an intriguing prospect. Hailing from Austria, Raimann attended Central Michigan and originally played tight end before moving to offensive tackle. He projects as a starting left tackle per The Draft Network and that’s the very position New Orleans needs to fill with Armstead likely on his way out.
Patience would be needed as Raimann gets adjusted to blocking NFL defenders and not MAC defenders but this is a pick that seems all too perfect in the third round. This could end up being the steal of the draft, much like Armstead in the third round was the steal of the 2013 NFL Draft.