The New Orleans Saints are hosting an underrated prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft: Wake Forest guard Phil Haynes. Haynes shared part of his visit on his official Instagram account, including a photo of the front doors to the team facility. Haynes is a versatile prospect, starting four years at Wake Forest initially at right tackle, then mostly right guard. He moved to left guard when the team had to shuffle other players around. In the NFL, right guard is probably his best fit.
Haynes was a big winner at the NFL Scouting Combine, measuring in at 6-foot-3 5/8, 322 pounds and timing 5.2 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That’s rare speed for someone of his size. Then he took it a step further, showcasing his lower-body strength in the vertical jump (31 inches) and broad jump (108 inches) — ranking among the top performers at his position. He’s got all the athleticism in the world.
So, of course, he has intrigued the Saints, who badly need reinforcements along the line after losing Pro Bowl center Max Unger to retirement. Left guard Andrus Peat is in the final year of his contract. With a 40-year-old quarterback under center in Drew Brees, the Saints know they must surround him with as much protection and as many weapons as possible. Remember Haynes’ name when the third day of the draft rolls around.
