The New Orleans Saints have made significant investments in their offensive line, drafting four starters within the top 48 picks and bringing in free agent David Edwards. But they might not be done yet. The buzz around the league, as shared by NFL draft insider Tony Pauline, connects the Saints with Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.
Pregnon is catching eyes across the league, with his draft range projected between picks 25 and 42. He's already met with teams like the Cowboys, Vikings, Bengals, Texans, and Seahawks. Notably, the Saints hold the 42nd pick, but with teams like the Texans and Bengals picking ahead, snagging Pregnon might be a challenge.
So, what makes Pregnon such a hot prospect? After transferring to Oregon in 2025, he quickly became a standout, building on his solid foundation at USC and Wyoming.
In pass protection, he’s allowed just three sacks over 1,825 snaps, and he's equally adept in the run game with 1,376 snaps. His prowess in inside zone blocking aligns perfectly with Kellen Moore’s offense, which excelled in that area last season.
Pregnon's versatility is another asset; he’s played both left and right guard, showcasing his adaptability during Oregon’s season.
Looking at the Saints' current lineup, they’ve got Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga as tackles, Edwards at left guard, and Erik McCoy at center. Cesar Ruiz, however, has been a weak link at right guard, something even GM Mickey Loomis has acknowledged. With Ruiz's hefty cap hit, the Saints could opt to draft Pregnon, setting up a training camp competition or potentially moving on from Ruiz after June 1 to save cap space.
The Saints need reliable depth at center after losing Luke Fortner in free agency. Pregnon could start at right guard, with Ruiz shifting to back up McCoy, offering a strategic flexibility that could benefit the team this year.
Of course, this hinges on Pregnon being available when the Saints pick, and whether he can unseat Ruiz for a starting role. But if the Saints aim to make a deep run in 2026, bolstering their offensive line remains a top priority.