Now this is a surprise. Khalen Saunders was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night, but not in exchange for a draft pick. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the New Orleans Saints got a player in return: Luke Fortner. The 27-year old is a former third-round pick and two-year starter for Jacksonville, having played college football at Kentucky.
Fortner tallied more than 2,400 snaps in the Jaguars offense during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but he saw a reduced role last year, and is probably at his best coming in off the bench rather than manning a starting position. But that’s an improvement in depth for a Saints offensive line which sorely needed it. They already lost Will Clapp to a season-ending injury, and he had been signed as a preferred backup behind Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy.
New Orleans hosted a group of free agent centers for a tryout last week and settled on All-UFL lineman Mike Panasiuk, who got some snaps in during Sunday’s preseason game behind rookie backup Torriceli Simpkins III. But Panasiuk drew a penalty and the Saints could look into playing Simpkins at guard with Trevor Penning and Cesar Ruiz both managing injuries. Stay tuned.