The New Orleans Saints offensive line will look nothing like the 2023 rendition. Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz are the only holdovers from last year’s unit. Say goodbye to Andrus Peat, James Hurst and Ryan Ramczyk. Say hello to Taliese Fuaga, Nick Saldiveri and the new version of Trevor Penning lining up at right tackle.
Maybe.
That may have been who got the most first-team reps during minicamp and organized team activities. Dennis Allen clarified the team isn’t at the point of solidifying the unit.
Allen previewed the offensive line in his first training camp press conference: “After McCoy and Ruiz, there are a lot of jobs that are up for grabs.” Fuaga feels like the one other guy who will for sure start. His ceiling at right tackle suggests he could flip to his natural position and beat out Penning if the move to left tackle doesn’t work.
Even without that, Penning has a lot to prove. He didn’t impress at left tackle, so we’ll see if flipping sides benefits him. Saldiveri is also in a contest with multiple players at left guard.
New Orleans has to wait a few days to put on the pads, but Allen is eager to . That’s when answers really become unveiled.
“Being able to evaluate guys in pads, playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” Allen said, “is where the true evaluation comes in.”
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