The New Orleans Saints went into the summer knowing that offensive tackle was a position they badly needed to fill. Unfortunately, it remains a need for the Saints after a few weeks of free agency. Not only is there still a demand, but the tackle situation in New Orleans has deteriorated as a result of recent developments.
Head coach Dennis Allen said that Ryan Ramczyk’s knee did not respond as well to surgery as the franchise had planned. Ramczyk’s availability for the season is now up in the question, with New Orleans reportedly planning for the likelihood that he would be physically unable to play in 2024.
If that’s the case, the Saints must address both right and left tackles this offseason. Without Ramczyk, New Orleans has only three tackles on the roster: Trevor Penning, who has yet to make an impact, Landon Young, and the recently signed Oli Udoh. All draft pundits predict New Orleans to select a tackle with the 14th overall choice, but that will not suffice.
That’s why ESPN’s Bill Barnwell feels the Saints should contact Andrus Peat and reinstate him on the roster.
Barnwell presented his case in a recent ESPN+ essay examining the remaining roster gaps for teams following free agency. Barnwell explained that a market hasn’t emerged for Peat, who played well last season, and that re-signing him makes a lot of sense for New Orleans. This will allow Peat and James Hurst to hold down the left side of the line. New Orleans will then be allowed to utilize the 14th pick on another tackle.
It may not be the high-profile revamp of the line that supporters had hoped for, but this approach would provide the Saints with a quality offensive line in 2024, allowing them to have a competent offense capable of winning games.