Saints 2023 Draft Prospects: Interior Offensive Line

A New Orleans offensive line battered by injuries the last couple years could bolster itself, and perhaps look for an eventual replacement for a certain starter, with an early round draft pick. Here are a few prospects to watch.

From 2017 to 2020, the New Orleans Saints possessed one of the NFL's most dominant offensive lines. Over the last two years, however, it's been a unit plagued by injuries. 

Terron Armstead (departed after 2021), Trevor Penning, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Ryan Ramczyk missed a combined 57 games in the last two campaigns. A rash of injuries like that would test the depth of any unit, but even New Orleans backups have missed significant time.

The Saints spent the 19th pick in last year's first round on Penning. He joins Peat (2015), Ramczyk (2017), and Ruiz (2020) as first-round picks up front. McCoy was a second rounder in 2018.

The injury-prone Peat is entering the last year of his contract. New Orleans has to make a decision whether to pick up the fifth-year option on Ruiz. Ramczyk has had concerning knee issues in the last two years. 

Could New Orleans spend another first round choice on an offensive lineman, perhaps along the interior? Here are a few early round offensive line prospects to watch. 

O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida 

G - 6'5" 330-Lbs. (Sr.)

Florida Gators offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence (54), left, runs a blocking drill with offensive lineman Richard Gouraige (76) during the Gators 2023 Pro Day. © Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Possibly the first interior lineman off the board, Torrence has already met with the Saints and several other clubs. As a pass protector, he must improve his footwork and has issues against athletic rushers. Not particularly athletic, he may struggle to get into position when pulling or at the second level. 

Torrence is a mauler in the running game and simply engulfs defenders. He drives his man off the ball to create initial holes and cutback lanes for his back. As a pass blocker, he provides a wide body for rushers. He's also fundamentally sound with his hands and upper body once setting the pass pocket. 

Torrence uses his size expertly. He needs to improve his mobility, especially as a pass blocker, but has the skills to be a dominant interior presence. 

Darnell Wright, Tennessee 

G/T - 6'5" 333-Lbs. (Sr.)

Sep 10, 2022; Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) sets up to block Pitt Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY

After starting his career as a guard with the Volunteers, Wright played both tackle spots but was most effective on the right side. He's among a quartet of Tennessee stars expected to go in the early rounds. 

An inconsistent technician, Wright can struggle with athletic defenders along the edge. His stance can be a bit upright, and his mobility can be sluggish. Wright's game is pure power. He's a bulldozer as a run blocker and can stonewall pass rushers with his strength and frame. 

Wright has the power and adequate enough footwork to stick as a right tackle. However, mobility issues might make him a better fit inside, where he could be a powerful drive blocker for the running game and set up a strong interior pass pocket. 

Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin 

C/G - 6'6" 313-Lbs. (Jr.)

Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Tippmann (75) against Washington State. © MARK HOFFMAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

A two-year starter for a physical Badgers team, Tippmann combines tremendous strength with underrated athleticism. He's tall for a center, which could cause a move to guard, and must be more consistent playing with balance and leverage. 

Tippmann also needs to do a better job at keeping his hands tight inside his body to avoid penalties. However, he has incredible upper body power. This is especially true in the running game, where he has the ability to be dominant. As a pass blocker, he has extremely good agility to adjust to rushers from any direction. 

Tippmann has an impressive football IQ that could keep him at center. He's also very effective as a move blocker and is excellent on double teams. Those traits would make him a solid fit at any of the interior line spots.

Minnesota's John Michael Schmit is also a top prospect, but he'll be a center, where the Saints already have Erik McCoy. Tackles Broderick Jones (Georgia), Paris Johnson (Ohio State), and Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) will probably come off the board early.  Oregon C/G Alex Forsyth, TCU G Steve Avila, and Ohio State RT Dawand Jones are other Day 2 or early Day 3 prospects to watch. 

If Ramczyk's knee holds up and Penning develops as expected, the Saints could have a dominant pair of tackles. The bigger issue would be at guard. What about if/when Peat gets injured? Was the third-year breakout of Ruiz an aberration, or a sign of continued development?

Veteran James Hurst can play either guard or tackle. Calvin Throckmorton has been a serviceable replacement at guard. However, we should expect New Orleans to address these offensive line questions in the draft. Don't be surprised if it's with a Day 1 or Day 2 selection.