Potential New Orleans offensive line starting lineups in 2024

New signings create a slew of options, but are they reliable options as well?

The New Orleans Saints have a million combinations to choose from while crafting their 2024 starting offensive line.

Although the OL has gained depth over the past few months, the only clear starting addition is rookie Taliese Fuaga. Creating a starting lineup may be challenging for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive line coach John Benton.

You might notice that every left guard option reads “Udoh/Saldiveri/Patrick/Lemieux.” That’s simply because no one has a clue which of these players will get the starting gig. None of them have been consistently healthy and starting at left guard during their careers and all of them are new to the Saints. The training camp battle for left guard will be one to watch closely.

Here are three potential starting lineups for the New Orleans Saints 2024 offensive line.

Option #1 – The “Best Five Out”

LT: Fuaga

LG: Udoh/Saldiveri/Patrick/Lemieux

C: McCoy

RG: Ruiz

RT: Ramczyk

This appears to be the most ideal option based on talent and health. History cautions moving a rookie tackle to a different side, but if Ramczyk is healthy, Fuaga needs to be starting. The Saints have already been testing Fuaga’s ability to transition from RT (his position at Oregon State) during Rookie Minicamp. Again, the left guard position is still a huge question mark. Olisaemeka Udoh, Nick Saldiveri, Shane Lemieux, and Lucas Patrick all have experience at LG but are still not routine starters in this position.

Option #2 – Ramczyk’s Out and Fuaga Stays Right

LT: Penning/Young

LG: Udoh/Saldiveri/Patrick/Lemieux

C: McCoy

RG: Ruiz

RT: Fuaga

This option reflects Derek Carr’s worst fear: Ryan Ramczyk sits out 2024 due to injury. The positive about this option is that Fuaga is placed within his RT comfort zone. The negative is that Trevor Penning or Landon Young gets another shot at left tackle. After a questionable first two seasons, Penning is on thin ice, but James Hurst believes that new offensive line coach John Benton could be career-changing for the former first-round pick. Young was decent last season, but perhaps not in a starting role.

Option #3 – Ramczyk’s Out and Penning’s a liability

LT: Fuaga

LG: Udoh/Saldiveri/Patrick/Lemieux

C: McCoy

RG: Ruiz

RT: Young

If Ramczyk’s injury persists and Trevor Penning is denied a starting job, then Landon Young may be the next man up for starting right tackle. Young played in 13 games last season and started in four of them. Young is one of those guys who might be placed virtually anywhere on the line, so don’t be surprised to see him occasionally starting elsewhere in 2024. He wouldn’t be the worst option for right tackle, but his playing time will be extremely dependent on Ramczyk’s health and Fuaga’s position.