Senior Bowl standout can help Saints replace Pro Bowl talent during 2026 NFL Draft to keep QB Tyler Shough out of harm’s way
He would be a long-term piece for New Orleans’ offense.
The New Orleans Saints have one task atop their to-do list this offseason. Make sure you help out young quarterback Tyler Shough as much as you can.
Improving the offensive line’s capabilities will go a long way in addressing that issue. In both the short and long-term, the Saints need additions along their OL unit, particularly on the inside of it. A potential 2026 NFL Draft “sleeper” is a great fit.
Saints must focus on improving OL for Tyler Shough, and Keylan Rutledge is a great option
According to NOFNetwork, the Saints have met with Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge at the Senior Bowl. They clearly have him on their radar – and for good reason.
Erik McCoy suffered another season-ending injury in 2025, and the guard position was one of the biggest roster weaknesses on the entire depth chart for the Saints this past campaign. They need to improve upfront, and depth will play a key role in that, too.
Guard Cesar Ruiz struggled to the tune of a 55.1 overall blocking grade from Pro Football Focus this season. Meanwhile, fellow guard Dillon Radunz wasn’t any better, clocking in at a grade of 48.5. Both He ranked 75th out of 81 guards, while Ruiz ranked 57th.
New Orleans also must keep in mind the long-term outlook at center. While McCoy has been a great player for quite some time, the injuries continue to mount. He will be 29 years old next season, and he’s missed twenty games over the past two seasons with the Saints.
Finding possible replacements for these interior players and/or improved backup options should be on the minds of New Orleans’ staff during both the draft and free agency. I like the value of picking up Rutledge sometime during the selection process, due to his versatility and relentless nature.
Rutledge plays with tenacity and a consistent motor. He’s been showing that on a rep by rep basis so far in Mobile during Senior Bowl workouts and practice.
The Saints have always appreciated physicality when it comes to offensive linemen. There’s no better example of following that protocol than the draft capital they poured into taking Trevor Penning in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. While that didn’t work out, Rutledge is more so projected to go in the round 3-5 range of this year’s draft.
He doesn’t share the same profile, as a whole, to Penning, and he is expected to play along the interior from start to finish in his pro career. Rutledge is a versatile lineman who can push for playing time immediately if he joins New Orleans’ depth chart.
A potential NFL offensive lineman for the foreseeable future
Ryan Roberts, who covers the NFL Draft for A to Z Sports, provided some great insight on Rutledge. He believes in him as a long-term OL option in the pros.
“The words “grinder”, “tone setter”, and “lunch pail” are going to be overly used to describe Keylan Rutledge’s game, but honestly, it fits perfectly. The former Georgia Tech standout isn’t a flashy athlete but he’s incredibly efficient and physical.
That is what he has showcased this week at the Senior Bowl so far. Rutledge has impressive punch timing, consistently landing his punches with accuracy. He plays from a consistent base, highlighting his strong anchor in pass protection. Where in 1-on-1s or in term drills, his effort as a blocker has flashed.
While his physical limitations may limited him to a long-term swing role, Rutledge is the type of player who can compete for a roster spot for a long time on the NFL level.” — Roberts
Oklahoma Sooners News
Former Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman could have the opportunity of a lifetime in 2026 with the Saints
The former Sooners LB is one of the most talented in the league.
