Top name off the free agent market for Saints’ biggest need

By Ross Jackson

It has been no mystery that the biggest need in the New Orleans Saints roster has centered around the team’s offensive line. Last year’s starter at left guard, Lucas Patrick, was on a one-year deal in 2024. Following his departure, the Saints now have a need on the interior. 

Friday evening, the biggest name on the market was signed elsewhere. Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton seemed like a logical fit for New Orleans. He was stellar after his move to the interior last season and has familiarity with new Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who was his offensive coordinator in 2024. 

However, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Becton agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers worth $20 million. 

After the best year of his career, #Eagles G Mekhi Becton, the former first-rounder, has signed with the #Chargers. Big-time help on their O-line. pic.twitter.com/xaGh6rpslO

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2025

Whether or not the Saints were in the mix on this signing remains to be seen, but even if they were, Becton gets to choose where he goes. Perhaps a leap to the west coast was simply his preference, perhaps the Saints were outbid, or perhaps they showed no interest at all. In any case, New Orleans needs its next starting left guard and without Becton as the solution, options in the open market are slimming. 

Here is a look at potential offensive linemen the Saints could still pursue in free agency. 

Chicago Bears OL Teven Jenkins

The athletic 27-year-old lineman is the highest ranked guard available on Pro Football Focus’s 2025 free agent list. He was actually ranked higher (No. 29) overall than Becton (No. 42). Likely because Jenkins has been a career starter at his position since entering the league in 2021. 

He was the Oklahoma State starting right tackle, with left tackle versatility before entering the league. Per numerous reports, Jenkins will take a free agency visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

In 2024, he appeared in 14 games, taking a total of 738 snaps. His stats and rankings last year included:

• 17 pressures allowed
• 4 sacks surrendered
• 4 penalties committed 
• PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 75.8
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 74.3

Minnesota Vikings OL Dalton Risner

Risner felt like a perfect fit for last year’s Saints offense but found his way back to the Minnesota Vikings instead. The six-year veteran has been in several different systems and worked with a number of coaches and has always found his way into each team’s starting lineup, appearing in at least 11 games at every stop and at least eight starts, as well.

His scheme versatility and blocking abilities could easily work him into another starting role as the Saints look to shore up their offensive line.

Risner’s 2024 stats and rankings over his 611 snaps played include:

• 21 pressures allowed
• 1 sacks surrendered
• 0 penalties committed 
• PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 76.1
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 58.8

Arizona Cardinals OL Will Hernandez

Hernandez has taken at least 800 snaps in six of his seven NFL seasons. Through the first three years of his career, he was the starting left guard for the New York Giant before moving over to the starting right guard spot in Arizona. Last year, he appeared in just five games after a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Coming off of that injury, Hernandez’s contract could be a manageable one for a starter-level talent.

Hernandez’s 2023 stats and rankings over his 1,109 snaps played include:

• 29 pressures allowed
• 4 sacks surrendered
• 1 penalty committed 
• PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 70.2
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 60.6

Chicago Bears OL Matt Pryor

One of the most versatile offensive linemen left on the market, Pryor has taken snaps at every position across the line except center since entering the league as a sixth-round selection in 2019. While his season started a couple weeks late last year due to a 2023 injury, Pryor was healthy and available, taking at least 60 offensive snaps for the Bears in every game since his Week 3 premiere. 

His strength has been as a pass blocker throughout his career, but he’s no slouch as a big guy (6-foot-7 and 332 pounds) who can move well. With the Bears, quarterback Caleb Williams took a lot of sacks during his rookie season, which may stall some of the Chicago free agents’ markets. Penalties were also plentiful for Pryor in 2024, as well as earlier strings with the Indianapolis Colts. That’s something teams would like to clean up.

Pryor’s 2024 stats and rankings over his 1,005 snaps played include:

• 24 pressures allowed
• 7 sacks surrendered
• 7 penalty committed 
• PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 78.1
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 65.6

Jacksonville Jaguars OL Brandon Scherff

NFL free agency isn’t about getting younger, especially for teams with major needs—like filling a starting spot on the offensive line. Therefore 33-year-old Scherff may be written off by those outside of NFL facilities, but inside many offices the lineman should have a market.

Scherff started each and every game of his three-year Jacksonville tenure and did so with success. The highly-respected lineman could be the perfect one-year deal for a team like New Orleans who may have to turn to the draft for their future at guard. This move would provide the team with a reliable veteran for 2025. If their draft picks don’t produce a strong young starter, he could step in. Additionally, if the team opts to develop a draft investment for a year before starting, he would offer valuable stability.

Scherff’s 2024 stats and rankings over his 1,013 snaps played include:

• 17 pressures allowed
• 0 sacks surrendered
• 2 penalty committed 
• PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 74.5
• PFF Run Blocking Grade: 57.3