Saints Host Veteran Free-Agent Center at Mini-Camp

New Orleans looking to bolster interior offensive line depth by hosting a veteran starter at this week's mini-camp.

The New Orleans Saints visited with free-agent C Billy Price this week at mini-camp, in news first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. New Orleans also hosted WRs Keke Coutee and Lynn Bowden Jr. for tryouts, as reported by Ross Jackson of the Saints News Network on Monday. 

John Hendrix of the Saints News Network also reported that the Saints tried to bring in former Carolina Panthers C Pat Elflein for a tryout. Elflein declined, instead opting to wait for a potential starting opportunity. 

Price, 28, was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He was a consensus All-American won the Dave Rimington Award in 2017. The two-time All-Big 10 selection was also a teammate of Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore with the Buckeyes. 

In 2018, Price was voted onto the NFL's All-Rookie Team despite missing six games with a foot injury. Price played three seasons for Cincinnati, starting 19 contests, before being traded to the New York Giants in 2021. He'd start 15 of 17 games with the Giants before signing with the Arizona Cardinals last season, where he made 11 starts.

The 6'4" and 303-Lb. Price can also play guard, but most of his NFL career has been spent at center. New Orleans is clearly looking at better depth there by visiting with Price and attempting to speak with Elflein, also from Ohio State. 

Nov 11, 2018; Cincinnati Bengals center Billy Price (53) lines up against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Saints starting C Erik McCoy is one of the league's top players at the position. However, McCoy has missed nine games over the last two years with injuries.

New Orleans RG Cesar Ruiz can also play center, but the Saints have also used Will Clapp and Josh Andrews there in McCoy’s absence. A player like Price would provide a big depth upgrade over Andrews or Clapp, while allowing Ruiz to remain at guard in the event of injury.