If you have felt like the New Orleans Saints offensive line has been a weak point this 12 months, you would be proper. Much of that is because of accidents rotating gamers out and in of the lineup all season lengthy. Senior NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno shared an eye-opening stat going into Week 18 which confirmed the groups with the most and fewest distinctive combinations alongside their offensive line.
While the Saints did not rank worst, they obtained terrible shut. They’re tied with the Cleveland Browns for the second-most offensive line combos (28) behind solely the Los Angeles Chargers (29). No different staff has had to make use of greater than 25 combinations.
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And the solely Saints lineman to come back near taking part in each snap on offense this 12 months is rookie left deal with Kelvin Banks Jr., at 99.6%. Next-best is correct guard Cesar Ruiz (74.6%), then proper deal with Taliese Fuaga (70.6%). It’s been a rotating door at 4 of the 5 spots.
Just have a look at the way it shakes out by place, per Pro Football Focus tracking data:
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Left deal with: Kelvin Banks Jr. (1,041 snaps), Asim Richards (4 snaps), Will Sherman and Torricelli Simpkins III (1 snap every)
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Left guard: Dillon Radunz (625), Trevor Penning (358), Simpkins (73)
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Center: Luke Fortner (607), Erik McCoy (449)
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Right guard: Cesar Ruiz (788), Sherman (157), Simpkins (105), Radunz (6)
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Right deal with: Taliese Fuaga (744), Richards (290), Sherman (17)
That’s removed from very best. You cannot do a lot about McCoy tearing his biceps in October or Fuaga racking up a wide range of knee, ankle, and again points (or his backup, Richards, spraining his ankle). But neither Radunz nor Penning moved the needle at left guard and that vulnerability turned a giant drawback when McCoy went down. Hopefully they will prioritize offensive line depth in the offseason forward.
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Radunz and Fortner are each free brokers in the spring. McCoy and Ruiz are potential commerce or post-June 1 cuts candidates if the Saints wish to go in one other path. New Orleans may additionally carry again Will Clapp, who misplaced the 12 months to a preseason harm, and who was extremely thought to be a backup. But it certain appears like they want an actual answer at left guard with extra work to do at the different spots.
This article initially appeared on Saints Wire: Saints free agency: Offensive line needs help after chaotic 2025