March 4, 2026, 5:01 p.m. CT
Interior offensive line has been a major weakness for the New Orleans Saints over the last several seasons. Offensive tackle is in good hands after the Saints addressed the position high in the draft the last two years. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., a first round choice last season, and right tackle Taliese Fuaga, a first rounder in 2024, each look like potential stars. The same cannot be said for the inside spots.
Center Erik McCoy is still among the better in the NFL. However, McCoy’s durability is a concern after missing 21 games over the last two seasons. Right guard Cesar Ruiz is a revolving door for opposing defenders. At left guard, the Saints have tried several players with mostly bad results. More than any other position, this spot handcuffed the Saints offense in 2025.
New Orleans is expected to prioritize the guard positions heavily this offseason. At least one draft choice is likely, but the Saints are also predicted to bring in a guard in the early stages of free agency. With free agency set to start next week, here are the players who the Saints could target.
Free agent guardsZion Johnson (age 26)David Edwards (29)Alijah Vera-Tucker (26)Ed Ingram (27)Dylan Parham (26)Mekhi Becton (26)Isaac Seumalo (32)Wyatt Teller (31)Cole Strange (27)Sean Rhyan (25)Elgton Jenkins (30)Jamaree Salyer (26)Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Edwards is projected to be the top guard on the free agent market. However, Johnson, Vera-Tucker, and Becton will also be fiercely pursued. All four have been top-tier starters. Becton, expected to be released by the Chargers, played for Saints head coach Kellen Moore in 2024 with the Eagles. Ingram and Parham will also be targeted by several teams from the start. All but Edwards are under the age of 28 and will command tremendously high multi-year deals.
Seumalo, Teller, and Jenkins are older but are still immediate starters with a few quality years left. Strange has had an up and down career, while Rhyan and Salyer haven’t been consistent starters. Still, all three will probably land on teams relatively quickly and will be in the mix to start.
Saints Outlook
New Orleans simply has to sign at least one of these players, even if they plan on drafting a guard. All are upgrades over Ruiz and the numerous players that have played left guard in recent years. If David Edwards, Zion Johnson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, or Mekhi Becton are the targets, than the Saints will have to pounce on the first day of free agency with a substantial multi-year offer. That would be a wise move. This team’s offense was often stuck because of abysmal guard play.
New Orleans will have some money to spend in free agency this season. Don’t think that they’re going to go on a major spending spree. This team still wants, and needs, to get younger and build through the draft. The Saints will go after certain positions hard in free agency, however. Offensive guard will be one of those spots. Expect the Saints to be in the early free agent mix for one of the top guards available.