Adding this veteran to the offensive line before training camp could boost Derek Carr’s season.
Why might the New Orleans Saints be interested in acquiring Donovan Smith? Let’s explore Andy Reid’s endorsement of Smith’s skills in safeguarding his star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
Reflecting on bringing in Smith during the previous season, Reid shared with the press, “He ranked among the best left tackles in the league. We’ve faced him a few times. I’ve witnessed his abilities personally. He’s a solid football player.
Andy Reid strategically pursued experienced offensive lineman Donovan Smith ahead of the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl bid. The move came after Orlando Brown Jr failed to come to terms with Kansas City.
Smith’s signing followed the acquisition of Jawaan Taylor as the new left tackle in a lucrative four-year, $80 million agreement. Initially intended to transition to right tackle, Smith ultimately took over the role of protecting Mahomes’ blindside, surpassing Taylor in the process.
The New Orleans Saints, familiar with Donovan Smith’s strength on the offensive line, are actively in pursuit of reliable shielding for Derek Carr. Consequently, there is frequent speculation about Smith being a prime candidate for the Saints. His play has shown significant growth since his tenure in Tampa, rendering him a valuable addition for New Orleans.
Over the course of three seasons, Smith provided protection for Tom Brady in the Buccaneers’ backfield, earning PFF grades of 71.8 (2020), 83.3 (2021), and 58.1 (2022). While his performance notably declined in the last season, it’s worth noting that the entire Tampa Bay offensive line struggled during Brady’s final year.
In 2022, Smith allowed six sacks, but he showed improvement with Mahomes, with just one sack given up and nine penalties across 749 offensive snaps. One concern that may not align well with Klint Kubiak’s strategy is that Smith’s effectiveness in run-blocking has decreased, reflected in a PFF grade of 45.1.
How the Saints offensive line looks right now.
During a recent discussion, WWL’s Mike Detillier voiced apprehensions regarding the New Orleans’ offensive line. With RT Ryan Ramczyk absent from OTAs, G Andrus Peat starting afresh in Las Vegas, and retired LT James Hurst no longer in the mix, the line is confronted with an uncertain future comparable to the winding path of the Mississippi River.
During the rookie minicamp and OTAs, Dennis Allen designated this year’s first-round selection, Taliese Fuaga, to play left tackle while last season’s first-round pick, Trevor Penning, seems to be adapting well on the right side, potentially taking over for Ramczyk. Is this arrangement likely to become permanent?
In the upcoming training camp, the competition for the left guard position will feature contenders such as Nick Saldiveri, Mark Evans II, Lucas Patrick, Shane Lemieux, Kyle Hergel, Justin Herron, and Oli Udoh. They are all eager to showcase their skills and secure playing time in a bid to claim the position.
Saints Offensive Line 2023 Snap Distribution:
- Erik McCoy: 1,152 snaps (99.48%)
- Cesar Ruiz: 978 snaps (84.46%)
- James Hurst: 931 snaps (80.4%)
- Andrus Peat: 809 snaps (69.86%)
- Ryan Ramczyk: 785 snaps (67.79%)
- Trevor Penning: 416 snaps (36.01%)
- Max Garcia: 320 snaps (27.63%)
- Landon Young: 213 snaps (18.39%)
- Cameron Erving: 208 snaps (17.96%)
- Nick Saldiveri: 18 snaps (1.55%)
- Tommy Kraemer: 8 snaps (0.69%)
With Hurst, Peat, and Ramczyk absent, the Saints face a significant loss of experienced leadership on the offensive line, with 2,525 snaps unaccounted for heading into the 2024 season.
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