New Orleans Saints: Season Recap – Part 2 Grading the Offense

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints guard

(73) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This position was expected to be the “undoing” of the New Orleans offense this year. Instead, it was probably the most pleasantly surprising position group on the entire team.

Despite missing their best player, left tackle Terron Armstead, for much of the season, this unit protected their veteran signal-caller well against the fearsome pass rush of defenses such as Denver, Los Angeles, Arizona, and Carolina.

Saints will need to address the offensive line in a big way this off season through both the draft and free agency.

The right side of the Saints line, led by veterans Jahri Evans and Zach Strief, were the catalyst of an effective running game that even at times overshadowed the passing attack. 2015 12th overall pick Andrus Peat was moved between left tackle and left guard–his most effective position and struggled with consistency most of the season.

Given the age and lack of depth on the line, the team is unlikely to move away from Peat anytime soon; and the Saints will need to address the offensive line in a big way this offseason through both the draft and free agency. Our last position group is one that should need very little “tinkering”; not only for this offseason but perhaps for the foreseeable future.