By Ross Jackson
It has been no mystery that the New Orleans Saints have been trying to improve their offensive line for some time. Since the 2022 NFL draft wherein the team selected Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning, the Saints just do not seem to have found a way to counteract their loss of All-Pro tackle Terron Armstead years ago.
In ESPN’s latest mocks draft by Insider Field Yates (ESPN+ subscription required), he has the Saints selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell with the No. 10 overall selection. Drafting tenth overall was influenced by ESPN’s Football Power Index, but beyond that, landing Campbell would be a huge boon to the team’s protection up front.
Though not without a ripple effect.
Campbell has played every single one of his offensive snaps at left tackle throughout his collegiate career thus far, and that is unlikely to change in 2024. The 6-foot-6, 323-pound Monroe, Lou. native has dominated at the collegiate level, only allowin two sacks in as many years with the Tigers. However, the Saints may already be settled on the left side with 2024 first-round rookie Taliese Fuaga who has moved from right tackle in college to left tackle in the pros.
That move does not have to be permanent. If the Saints were to select Campbell, or any other top tackle in their draft range in 2025, it likely spells the end of Penning’s opportunities as a starter at the position. That is a tough pill to swallow for a first-round pick, but the reality remains.
The Saints could potentially move Fuaga back to right tackle in this case and keep Campbell where he’s most comfortable, on the left side. That should revolutionize the New Orleans offensive line in a major way. Address left guard in free agency, if that is still an open competition next offseason, and all of a sudden, the Saints are in a whole new offensive line conversation.
Moving Fuaga back to right tackle might look extraneous, but doing it with an offseason to rebuild his comfort would not be a bad look. Moving him back to the right side ahead of the 2024 season, however, would take on a veil of haphazardness. Planning to do so with an entire installation period is a different story.
This selection would be excellent for the Saints, even though many believe they refuse to draft LSU Tigers. Passing up on Campbell would be a fool’s errand unless both Penning and Fuaga show Pro Bowl potential this year. Penning would be particularly under the microscope here.
Drafting in the Top10 would be the biggest detriment in this scenario. But even if the Saints were to select later, there are other options to address the offensive line. Fellow LSU product Emory Jones Jr. goes No. 16 overall in this draft. He has extensive right tackle experience and could be a natural fit if Penning does not pan out and Fuaga looks strong on the left side.
Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea was also drafted later in the simulation, going No. 21 overall. His guard/tackle flex will be a major conversation through the draft process as teams try to determine where he will play in the pros. He currently has both right guard and right tackle experience at 6-foot-5 and 336 pounds.
