Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With all of the work the New Orleans Saints have put into their offensive line this offseason, the unit should be one of the most improved in 2025.
New Orleans spent a third first-round pick in four years on the tackle position, which now equips the team with four first-round prospects and a second-round prospect as their potential starting five across the line. But beyond that, bolstering depth across the board should bring about even more progress.
New Talent To Pay Off Immediately
Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is expected to be an immediate impact player and will do so at one of the most important positions in football, at left tackle.
Banks allowed just four sacks over his college years with the Longhorns and only 34 pressures in total throughout the three seasons. His athleticism and durability will be welcome additions to the Saints’ protection unit, but his efficiency and mean streak will often take center stage.
Texas LT Kelvin Banks is not being valued enough. That’s a big dude who can move. Tons of experience. Impossible to find a LT in free agency. Major surplus value by drafting one on a rookie contract. pic.twitter.com/HY0b8lIRhC
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 8, 2025
At only 21-years-old at the time of the draft, Banks has a long runway ahead of him to be an impact player for the foreseeable future up front for New Orleans.
His addition also moves tackle Taliese Fuaga back to his collegiate right tackle position. The transition will be a comfortable one for him and should allow him to build on what was already an impressive rookie season at left tackle. Meanwhile, Trevor Penning kicks inside to left guard, earning another opportunity to be a difference-maker after his 2022 first-round selection.
Improving Depth
New Orleans did limit their focus on building up the offensive line to the starters, the team also invested heavily in its depth. The additions of veteran players like Dillon Radunz and Will Clapp will help to solidify the trenches should there be any attrition along the offensive line throughout the season.
This is what ultimately hindered the line in 2024, as repeated injuries on the interior piled up throughout the season.
The Saints also brought back versatile lineman Landon Young and invested in some additional talent through undrafted free agency. One highlight from the undrafted class is Easton Kilty from Kansas State, a player with a lot of experience and versatility that has spent time with some of the best offensive line developers in college football.
Saints Will Need To Play A Cleaner Game
One area the team has yet to try to improve is that of penalties. The Saints had 38 offensive line penalties last year. That total tied them for the second-most in the NFC. They tied for No. 8 in the league as well. The Buffalo Bills led the way with 47.
Some of those penalties were more costly than others, erasing big plays and scoring opportunities and cost the team a whopping 334 yards in the process.
Cleaning this up may be just as important as working to eliminate the injury concerns of recent years.
New Orleans did not sit idly by under its new regime when it came to the offensive line. New players, new coaches, new schemes and systems should all help this unit take some major steps forward in 2025 and the years to come.
