The Saints’ latest win has pushed them down to pick 12 in the draft order, and that spot could put New Orleans in the market for help on either side of the line.
One path leads to the offensive front, where the Saints could take a swing on Utah tackle Zeroue Williams. The fit starts with the uncertainty around the current group.
RT Taliese Fuaga has only been disappointing this season, and while the coaching staff gets the blame for that, they could still be running things in 2027. If that’s the case, and Cesar Ruiz is no longer the starting RG, the tackle spot could become a target.
Fuaga was always projected to be a better guard, and the Saints could look at moving him to RG while bringing in a rookie to handle RT.
Williams would be the kind of upside bet that comes with some risk. He’s 6-foot-8, has exceptional length, and moves really well.
The catch is that he’s a LT, which would make the transition a challenge. Even so, the Saints could be willing to take that on.
Beyond Jordan Seaton at the top of the draft, Williams would be a primary option.
There’s also a defensive option that makes plenty of sense at No. 12.
Alabama EDGE Devan Thompkins has climbed all season and now looks like a real candidate in this range. He’s 6-foot-5, 3oo lbs, athletic, powerful, and productive.
His biggest selling point is versatility. He can line up as a perfect 3-4 DE, but he can also slide inside as a DT or work off the edge in a 4-3.
If Brandon Staley is still in New Orleans, Thompkins could be the ideal addition next to Chase Young and Carl Granderson. And if the Saints have a new staff by then, he’d still be a strong choice and could become the future at EDGE for New Orleans.
In Other News...
Saints Pass Rush Is Suddenly Raising A Bigger Question
The Saints have found a real edge off the corner in Chase Young and Carl Granderson, and it has changed the feel of their defense this season. Young sits second in the league in sacks, Granderson is tied for fourth, and together they have become one of the NFLs most productive pass-rushing pairs. Grandersons recent run has been especially notable, with multiple sacks in four straight games, something the franchise had not seen since 2013.
For a team trying to build on its defensive identity, the obvious next question is how sustainable this surge really is. Young and Granderson have given New Orleans a legitimate weekly pressure threat, but the bigger challenge now is whether the Saints can keep getting that kind of disruption when opponents start adjusting their protections and game plans around them. [Read more 🡒]
Chase Young Is Giving The Saints Defense A New Edge
Chase Young has settled into a more prominent role since arriving in New Orleans, and the edge rusher sounds like a player who knows exactly what kind of impact he can still make. Through parts of three seasons with the Saints, he has produced 23.5 sacks, a sign that his game has found some consistency after earlier stops with Washington and San Francisco. For a defense trying to keep the Saints in the mix in a competitive NFC South, that kind of presence matters.
Young spoke confidently this week about his ability to win against blockers and about how much he has grown since his earlier years in the league. At 3-5, New Orleans still has work to do, but the Saints have reason to lean on him as one of the tone-setters on that side of the ball. The bigger question now is how far that edge can carry a defense that needs more than just flashes to stay in the hunt. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Midseason Review Exposes One Offensive Strength And One Real Concern
Midway through the season, the Saints offense has made the preseason position-by-position debate look pretty different than it did in August. The running backs have not lived up to expectations, with injuries and other factors slowing that group down, while the wide receivers have emerged as one of the teams most reliable units. Quarterback Tyler Shough has also pushed the conversation forward by exceeding expectations and helping lead multiple comeback drives.
The one area that still hangs over the offense is the line, where depth and performance issues continue to raise questions. Even with the receiving corps holding steady and Shough giving the Saints a chance in tight games, the front five remains the part of the unit that could determine how far this offense can really go. [Read more 🡒]