The New Orleans Saints got bad news on Tuesday, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk may not be able to play at all in 2024, raising strong questions about his future and could make them consider Washington Huskies tackle Troy Fautanu with the No. 14 overall pick.
Ramczyk missed the last four games last season with a knee issue that was described as “wear and tear”. Prior to that, Ramczyk was frequently the recipient of veteran rest days after suffering an initial injury to the knee that forced him to miss seven games in 2021.
The 29-year-old underwent a cleanup procedure in February that he and the Saints were initially optimistic about, but head coach Dennis Allen told the media at the league meetings that Ramczyk’s knee has not responded the way they had hoped. His uncertain status, along with a looming $29.6 million cap hit in 2025, has put his future in New Orleans in limbo.
Ramczyk’s unavailability makes offensive tackle a large need for the Saints. They selected tackle Trevor Penning at No. 19 overall in 2022 to play on the left side, but he has struggled. Moving to the right side and taking over for Ramczyk while a rookie takes a crack at the job on the left side may be the best thing for Penning’s further development.
But that means the Saints need a left tackle. Blue-chip prospects like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu have been widely projected to be selected before New Orleans goes on the clock. That would put the Saints in the second tier of offensive tackle prospects.
Fautanu is one of the leaders of that group and seems to have convinced decision makers around the league that he has what it takes to avoid moving to guard. He lit up the drills at February’s NFL combine, drawing rave reviews for his movement skills and quieting concerns about his substandard length for the position.
His tape certainly shows a tackle, as his protection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was a key factor in the Huskies winning the Joe Moore Award as the best offensive line in the country. He’s leapfrogged prospects like JC Latham from Alabama, who declined to test at either the combine or Alabama’s pro day, and has put himself firmly in contention to be the third offensive tackle selected.
Fautanu also does have the flexibility to move to the inside if Ramczyk is able to play in 2024. In that scenario, Penning would start at left tackle, Ramczyk at right tackle, and Fautanu would slide in at left guard over swingman James Hurst.
He also gives the Saints an in-house succession plan at the position, with the understanding that Ramczyk’s time wearing the fleur-de-lis is limited. It’s the perfect match of need and draft position. All that’s left now is to see if the Saints send top brass to Washington’s pro day, scheduled for Thursday.