The New Orleans Saints are assessing their strategy for the upcoming NFL draft, with particular attention on strengthening their roster at the guard position. The team has solidified their offensive tackle lineup by selecting Taliese Fuaga and Kevlin Banks in consecutive first-round drafts. However, with the potential departure of free agents Trevor Penning and Dillon Radunz, along with Cesar Ruiz’s underwhelming performance this season, reinforcing their guard options has become a priority.
The draft pool for quality guards this year appears limited. While Auburn’s Connor Lew, Alabama’s Parker Brailsford, and Iowa’s Logan Jones rank high on Bleacher Report’s big board as interior linemen, they are primarily centers and may not possess the necessary build to transition effectively to guard positions in the NFL.
Amidst this scarcity, Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech stands out as the principal guard prospect for the 2026 draft class, potentially advancing his appeal to the Saints. Similarly, Jaeden Roberts of Alabama is another candidate recognized as a top player in his position, poised to draw interest from the team.
As draft preparations continue, the Saints’ management remains focused on making strategic choices that not only address immediate gaps but also aim to fortify their offensive line for future seasons.