The New Orleans Saints have been poking around seeking a replacement for Jermon Bushrod at left tackle.

It’s a good bet the club will address the offensive line early in the draft, but they’ve added a project to the mix. The Saints signed Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft to a one-year contract. It can’t hurt.

Smith was a terrible bust for the St. Louis Rams and they pulled the plug on him before last season, trading him to the New York Jets for Wayne Hunter. Smith turns 27 next month and he has an opportunity to pump some life back into his NFL career. Charles Brown is slated as the starting left tackle for the Saints right now.

New Orleans doesn’t figure to be able to draft a left tackle it can plug in as a starter from Day 1 with the No. 15 overall pick. Maybe the Saints look to trade up in the draft or perhaps they see what Brown and Smith can do.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune