John Sigler
June 10, 2024 10:11 am CT
The New Orleans Saints are putting a lot of faith in their young draft picks along the offensive line improving that unit’s reputation. It’s been a while since they sent a couple of blockers to the Pro Bowl, and the Saints have struggled to get things right up front. Last season they had problems running the football and protecting their quarterback because of it.
So drafting Taliese Fuaga in the first round is, hopefully, part of that solution. So is getting more out of draft picks Trevor Penning (first round in 2022) and Nick Saldiveri (fourth round in 2023). Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz are the veterans in the starting lineup, but they can only do so much on their own.
The offensive line’s poor performance was reflected in these rankings from ESPN’s Mike Clay, who gave his take on ranking all 32 teams’ offensive lines:
32
Seattle Seahawks
Oct 2, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) blocks Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during first half action at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Cross, Laken Tomlinson, Nick Harris, Anthony Bradford, Abraham Lucas
31
Arizona Cardinals
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Paris Johnson Jr., Isaiah Adams, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams
30
New York Giants
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Thomas, Aaron Stinnie, John Michael Schmitz, Jon Runyan, Evan Neal
29
Houston Texans
Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Laremy Tunsil, Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Shaq Mason, Tytus Howard
28
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) reacts to a catch being confirmed in favor of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a preseason matchup Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Cam Robinson, Ezra Cleveland, Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff, Anton Harrison
27
New Orleans Saints
Oct 8, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks Stanford Cardinal linebacker Levani Damuni (3) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
Taliese Fuaga, Nick Saldiveri, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning
26
Miami Dolphins
Jan 15, 2023; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead before playing against the Buffalo Bills in a NFL wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Terron Armstead, Isaiah Wynn, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, Austin Jackson
25
Dallas Cowboys
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz (63) and offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) block against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jan 21, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) looks on before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Tristan Wirfs, Graham Barton, Robert Hainsey, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke
23
Buffalo Bills
Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) blocks in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dion Dawkins, La’el Collins, Connor J. McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown
22
Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 24: Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field for the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
Ronnie Stanley, Sala Aumavae-Laulu, Tyler Linderbaum, Ben Cleveland, Patrick Mekari
21
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (55) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Troy Fautanu
20
Minnesota Vikings
Sep 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) prepares to block against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill
19
San Francisco 49ers
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks against Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano, Colton McKivitz
18
Washington Commanders
Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Sam Cosmi (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Cornelius Lucas, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie
17
Los Angeles Rams
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
AJ Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein
16
New England Patriots
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Caedan Wallace, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Michael Onwenu
15
Los Angeles Chargers
Sep 15, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws as offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (70) provides coverage against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Jamaree Salyer, Joe Alt
14
Las Vegas Raiders
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) pressures Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the first quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jaguars held off the Las Vegas Raiders 27-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jki 110622 Raiders Jags Cp 49
Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Delmar Glaze
13
Cincinnati Bengals
Jan 7, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) reacts after the victory over the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando Brown, Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown
12
Carolina Panthers
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) blocks as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (94) rushes in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton
11
Tennessee Titans
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham poses after being selected by the Tennessee Titans as the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
J.C. Latham, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry, Daniel Brunskill, Dillon Radunz
10
Chicago Bears
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) holds back Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright (91) as he runs toward the backfield during the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright
9
Green Bay Packers
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts with guard Elgton Jenkins (74) during the second half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom
8
Kansas City Chiefs
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) on the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins in a 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Wanya Morris, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
7
Denver Broncos
Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Sam Mustipher, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey
6
Philadelphia Eagles
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) plays against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: The Eagles won 29-10. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cameron Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson
5
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) is seen during the first half of the team’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in NFL Week 7, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. The Colts won, 30-23.
Houston Texans At Indianapolis Colts At Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis In Nfl Week 7 Sunday Oct 20 2019
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith
4
Atlanta Falcons
December 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis (94) and Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary
3
New York Jets
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) runs off the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses
2
Cleveland Browns
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Dawand Jones
1
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) warms up before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell
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