The New Orleans Saints entered the offseason with uncertainty surrounding their offensive line. Two starting spots (C and RG) are locked in, while the last three (LT, LG, and RT) have yet to be decided.
The Saints are waiting on the status of their elite right tackle, Ryan Ramczyk, who will likely miss the 2024 season due to a cartilage defect in his left knee, and they haven’t decided yet on his replacement. Their first-round pick, Taliese Fuaga, played RT in college but received reps at LT during camp. Trevor Penning, who played LT in college and his first two seasons in the NFL, received reps at RT.
Finally, the Saints will have a competition for the starting left guard spot. Their former starter departed in free agency.
The New Orleans Saints’ 3-time Pro Bowler departed in free agency
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Andrus Peat to a contract this offseason. The 3-time Pro Bowler spent his first nine seasons in the NFL with the Saints, playing 111 games and starting 102. He predominately played at LG but also played at LT, including 11 starts in 2023.
Four players will compete for the starting LG spot.
Four players will compete for the starting LG spot
Lucas Patrick, Oli Udoh, Shane Lemieux, and Nick Saldiveri will compete for the starting spot. Patrick is in his ninth year with 54 starts. Udoh is in his sixth year with 18 starts. Lemieux is in his fifth year with 12 starts. Finally, Saldiveri is in his second year with zero starts.
One player is currently in the lead.
The New Orleans Saints’ former 4th-round pick is currently in the lead
Nick Saldiveri is currently in the lead for the starting LG spot. Darrion Gray of Saints Wire has the details.
“Walking out of minicamp, Saldiveri appeared to be first in line to fill that vacancy. In the second open OTA practice, he took all the first team reps. That continued until he exited with a hamstring or groin injury during minicamp that isn’t expected to sideline him through the summer. This points to him being in the lead in the battle.”
