The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a full-blown offensive line identity crisis - and the draft board tells the story better than any press conference ever could.
Over the last four years, the Saints have used four first-round picks on offensive tackles. That’s not a typo.
Trevor Penning in 2022 (after trading away their 2023 first-rounder to get him), Taliese Fuaga in 2024, and Kelvin Banks Jr. in 2025. Now, in ESPN’s latest 2026 mock draft, Field Yates has them going back to the well again - this time with Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
Let’s break that down.
Mauigoa is no slouch. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, he’s a physically dominant right tackle who’s been a rock for the Hurricanes over the past three seasons.
He’s logged nearly every snap at right tackle, and he’s not just holding the edge - he’s locking it down. This season, Mauigoa allowed a pressure on just 0.5% of dropbacks, the best mark of any offensive tackle in the FBS.
That’s elite, plain and simple.
And for a Saints team that ranks 31st in pass block win rate (54.5%), adding a guy like Mauigoa makes a lot of sense on paper. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has shown real promise, and if the front office believes he’s the guy, protecting him becomes priority number one.
That’s where Mauigoa fits in - especially if the team considers sliding Fuaga inside to guard, as Yates suggests. In that scenario, the Saints could field a line with Banks and Mauigoa at tackle, Fuaga at guard, and potentially reshuffle Cesar Ruiz to wherever he fits best.
But here’s the thing: at some point, you have to ask whether this strategy is working. Drafting offensive linemen high in the first round year after year hasn’t stabilized the unit.
Penning hasn’t developed the way the team hoped. Fuaga has been solid, but shifting him to a third position in as many seasons could stunt his growth.
Continuity matters, especially in the trenches.
This isn’t just a player development issue - it’s a roster construction issue. The Saints have invested heavily in the offensive line, but the returns haven’t matched the price tag. That raises real questions about whether the problem lies in scouting, coaching, or the overall vision of how this line is supposed to function.
Still, this feels like a move general manager Mickey Loomis would make. Mauigoa fits the mold of what the Saints like in their linemen - big, physical, technically sound, and experienced.
And the idea of bookending him with Banks while sliding Fuaga inside does offer some appeal. It’s the same blueprint the team leaned on when Penning struggled and they had to pivot.
But there’s a strong counterpoint here: the Saints aren’t just thin on the offensive line - they’re thin everywhere. From wide receiver to edge rusher to safety, the roster has holes.
If you’re picking in the top five, you might want to take the best player on the board, regardless of position. That could mean someone like Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, or even Mauigoa’s Miami teammate, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
The Saints are at a crossroads. Do they keep doubling down on the offensive line, hoping the next pick finally solidifies the group? Or do they shift gears and start spreading their draft capital across a roster that desperately needs balance?
One thing’s for sure - if they keep doing the same thing and expecting different results, it won’t be long before the pressure isn’t just on the offensive line. It’ll be on the front office, too.