4 offensive guards the Saints may goal in free company

It’s pretty apparent that the New Orleans Saints have to get some new our bodies of their offensive line room. They’ve two cornerstone items in Taliese Fuaga and Erik McCoy, however we noticed how a lot the offensive line struggled when McCoy was out with an damage – particularly the inside of the road.

Whereas constructing by way of the NFL Draft can be best and doubtless the route they may go, this yr’s free agent offensive line class is fairly strong. They clearly received’t have a ton of cash to spend, however there are some guys on the market that they might get for a reduced charge that might nonetheless be an impression participant.

Right now, we’re going to take a look at among the offensive guards who’re set to hit free company and which of them the Saints may goal.

Mekhi Becton, OG

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Mekhi Becton is a former first-round choose within the NFL Draft however has suffered from nagging accidents all through his profession. After spending time with the New York Jets, Becton signed with Philly this offseason and had a profession yr, taking part in 1,158 snaps and permitting 5 sacks, three of which got here within the first 5 weeks of the season.

Becton is coming off a Tremendous Bowl efficiency the place he allowed only one strain and no sacks in 29 go blocking snaps. Spotrac presently has his market worth set at $10.2 million {dollars} per yr, which is about one million greater than they’re paying Cesar Ruiz.

Clearly, there may be some damage threat that comes with Becton, but when he can keep wholesome, he may find yourself being a strong piece at guard for the Saints for a number of years. Plus, he labored with Kellen Moore this previous season, so there’s some familiarity there.

Teven Jenkins, OG

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Sticking with the development of signing younger expertise, one other man they might look so as to add is Chicago Bears OG, Teven Jenkins. The 26-year-old is about to hit the market and has a price ticket that’s anticipated to be round $10 million {dollars}, in line with Spotrac.

Jenkins is coming off a 2024 season the place he began 14 video games and performed 738 snaps. He allowed 4 sacks and 17 pressures whereas incomes a 74.3 run blocking grade. He isn’t some dwelling run signing, however he’d be an enchancment over what the Saints have in the meanwhile.

Brandon Scherff, OG

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If the Saints need to go together with a one-year cease hole, there are a few guys they might goal, one in all which is Brandon Scherff. The previous Washington Commanders guard has spent the previous three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. At age 33, he’s coming into his tenth NFL season.

In accordance with Spotrac, Scherff’s market worth is round $6.7 million {dollars}, and so they mission that he’ll get a one-year deal. He had the worst run blocking season of his profession in 2024 (although, so did the whole Jacksonville OL), however was nonetheless a strong go protector, permitting 17 pressures and nil sacks.

He’d be an affordable one-year choice whereas they attempt to discover a younger man to come back in and take his place in 2026.

Zack Martin, OG

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If the Saints had been keen to splurge a bit extra on a veteran OG, Zack Martin might be an alternative choice. The long-time Dallas Cowboys standout and a number of time All-Professional is about to hit free company and can have a price ticket of about $10 million per season, in line with Spotrac.

Martin has handled some accidents all through his profession however had been comparatively wholesome in recent times up till final season. He’s been one of many NFL’s premier offensive guards for over a decade, however he’s ageing and can probably signal a short-term deal earlier than driving off into the sundown.

Equally to Becton, there may be lots of familiarity between Martin and Kellen Moore, who was the Cowboys OC for a number of years.

Listed here are some extra OG who’re set to hit the market and their worth in line with Spotrac:

Kevin Zeitler – 1 yr, 9.2 million

James Daniels – 2 years, 7.8 million (per yr)

Dalton Risner – 2 years, 3.4 million (per yr)

Liam Eichenberg – 2 years, 4.9 million (per yr)

Trey Smith – 4 years, 19.7 million (per yr)