Three free agent offensive linemen the Saints should target

By Ross Jackson

Adding talent to and developing the offensive line will have to be a major priority for the New Orleans Saints in 2025. With new head coach Kellen Moore in place, the run game will depend heavily on a healthy and stout offensive line. Expect the Saints to invest further in their line, both for depth and potentially at starter, with at least the left guard spot up for grabs.

The team could wait to address this position in the upcoming NFL Draft, but the No. 9 overall selection is usually seen as too high a pick to spend on the interior. Meanwhile, the free agency class at the position is extremely strong and worth digging into.

Here are three guards and interior offensive linemen that the Saints should be willing to consider in free agency.

Philadelphia Eagles OL Mekhi Becton

Size: 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds

2024 Pass-Blocking Stats: Five sacks, three quarterback hits, and 26 hurries allowed on 570 pass-blocking snaps.

Career Positions Played (Starts): LT, RT, and RG

Following some early-career struggles after being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Becton found a resurgence with the Eagles. He moved from tackle to the interior and graded highly as both a pass and run blocker. He appeared in 16 games (many Eagles starters were rested in Week 18) in 2024 and put together the best season of his career in the process.

Many will highlight the familiarity between Moore and Becton, but the true question goes beyond their connection. How much of Becton’s revitalization was about the scheme that Moore plugged him into or the coaching from Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland? If Becton feels that the Saints can keep his upward trajectory going with Moore’s system in place, then he could be an option. However, if he credits his growth instead to Stoutland, it’ll be a challenge to get him out of Philadelphia.

Becton’s next contract is projected by Pro Football Focus (PFF) to be a $9 million per year deal. A manageable size for even New Orleans, who is currently $50 million over the salary cap, to work out. Especially for a 25 year-old offensive lineman on the rise.

Dallas Cowboys OL Zack Martin

Size: 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds

2024 Pass-Blocking Stats: Five sacks, one quarterback hit, and 18 hurries allowed on 447 pass-blocking snaps

Career Positions Played (Starts): RG and RT

Martin, 34, would be an experienced veteran to add on a short-term deal. He would be more of a one-year approach than a long-term solution, but the seven-time All-Pro could be a worthwhile investment for New Orleans. Martin was a part of Moore’s offensive in Dallas from from 2019 through 2022 and knows what it takes to succeed in the scheme.

Even if his signing were paired with a younger free agency acquisition or draft selection, his presence in the locker room could pay dividends from multiple angles.

PFF estimates his 2025 contract as a simple one-year, $7 million deal, which is executable for New Orleans.

Baltimore Ravens OL Patrick Mekari

Size: 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds

2024 Pass-Blocking Stats: One sack, no quarterback hits, and 31 hurries allowed on 577 pass-blocking snaps.

Career Positions Played (Starts): All

If the Saints want another versatile offensive lineman the likes of 2020 free agent signing James Hurst, they could again turn to the Ravens outgoing free agent pool. Much like Hurst, Mekari started his career with the Ravens and could find his way to the Big Easy. He is also a versatile chess piece on the line, having taken snaps at every single offensive line spot in his early career.

Mekari’s contract is projected to come in just below Becton’s estimation. PFF has his value set at $8.68 million per year. 

There would be no shift of position for Mekari if the Saints wanted him to start at left guard, as it is one of the positions that he has played most recently. Both Becton and Martin would have to make what would be a very manageable shift. But a shift nonetheless. Mekari would be a simple plug-and-play acquisition that should help the team bolster its offensive line play immediately.