Rookie OL Erik McCoy an important piece for New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints need rookie center Erik McCoy to make an immediate impact.
I am incredibly impressed with what the New Orleans Saints were able to do in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite not making a pick until the second round (48th overall) and only selecting four players overall, the Saints did a great of making the most out of what they had to work with.
In particular, their selections of center Erik McCoy in the second round and defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the fourth stand out as fantastic values. Despite not having a single first-round pick, the New Orleans Saints were able to snag two players who many in the industry considered to be first-round talents.
Gardner-Johnson will certainly make an impact on the defensive side of the ball, but McCoy is the most important rookie for the Saints and one of their most important players on the entire roster.
The Saints have been set at the center position for the last four year, with veteran Max Unger holding down the spot. Unger was one of the best players at the position in the entire NFL and was an integral part of their explosive offensive unit.
McCoy undoubtedly has some big shoes to fill, but first, he must win the job. The Saints signed Nick Easton right after Unger retired and he will certainly be in the mix at center. Easton is not the most well-established player, but he has had success as an NFL interior offensive lineman. Make no mistake about it, this will be a legitimate position battle between McCoy and Easton throughout training camp.
However, make no mistake about it, McCoy should win this job. He is a smart and aggressive player who shines as both a run blocker and in pass protection. McCoy does an incredible job of getting in position, uses his hands well and consistently keeps proper pad level. His overall quickness and athleticism are relatively limited, but McCoy is a rock-solid player who has a bright future at the next level.
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The Saints’ offense is a well-oiled machine that should keep trucking along at an elite level in 2019. That being said, losing a key piece like Unger could really hurt. If McCoy struggles, the Saints’ offense could easily take a step back. Make no mistake about, McCoy’s ability to come in and make an immediate impact is incredibly important for the New Orleans Saints.