The New Orleans Saints’ offensive line has to be upgraded, and this is no secret. The tackle position is especially mentioned by most.
Due to knee problems, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk’s movement has been restricted, raising serious concerns about his long-term prognosis.
Trevor Penning, a left tackle who was benched after six games the previous season, appears to be a first-round flop.
New Orleans’s internal line quality problems were equally concerning. Cesar Ruiz, a right guard, slumped following his 2022 season of breakthrough success.
Perhaps James Hurst’s worst professional year ever occurred. Andrus Peat had taken Penning’s seat, thus he wasn’t available inside.
The only backup plan left was Max Garcia, a human turnstile. Even with those problems, coaches weren’t impressed enough with rookie fourth-round pick Nick Saldiveri to get him into the starting lineup.
Most people, including myself, believed that the Saints would select a guard in free agency and use the pick to address tackle.
Several competent interior blockers are still accessible. A capable NFL starter is Laken Tomlinson (age = 32), followed by Connor Williams (age = 26), Cody Whitehair (age = 31), Kevin Zeitler (age = 34), Mark Glowinski (age = 31), Dalton Risner (age = 28), Gabe Jackson (age = 32), and Halapoulivaati Vaitai (age 30).
Resigning Peat is a further option. Whether he plays for the team or not, his $13 million salary will be deducted from the cap. He can play guard or tackle.
Re-signing a player who was on the Saints’ roster the previous season but did not play a down is an additional possibility.
The Saints signed Turner, who turns 31 in July, near the beginning of training camp the previous summer.
Inside, he was considered Hurst and Peat’s potential rival. Tragically, three days after joining the squad, Turner tore his quad in practice, ending his season.
