New Orleans Saints Set For Clinical Trade Move Along The Interior Offensive Line.
With only a couple of games left in the 2025 regular season, the New Orleans Saints are already staring into a pivotal off-season.
Tyler Shough has done more than enough to convince the organization he can win games in the NFC South, even while operating behind a patchwork offensive line and a lean supporting cast. If the Saints want to take the next step in 2026, the clearest place to start is up front—specifically along the interior offensive line.
Shough’s toughness and mobility have helped mask protection issues, but relying on that week after week is not a sustainable plan. New Orleans needs sturdier pockets, better run-game push, and linemen who can handle the division’s increasing emphasis on interior pressure. With that in mind, here’s a way-too-early look at free-agent and draft options who could stabilize the middle of the Saints’ line next spring.
Premium starters
If the Saints are willing to spend, David Edwards of the Buffalo Bills profiles as a plug-and-play solution. Edwards brings championship experience, positional versatility, and a calm, consistent presence in pass protection. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable—and that’s exactly what a developing quarterback needs.
Ed Ingram, currently with the Houston Texans, offers a slightly different appeal. He’s a powerful interior blocker who excels in the run game and plays with a physical edge. Ingram’s best football may still be ahead of him, and pairing his strength with Shough’s ability to attack downfield could give the Saints a more balanced offensive identity.
Budget signings
Not every solution requires top-of-market money. Teven Jenkins, now with the Cleveland Browns, has starting experience and a nasty streak that offensive line coaches love. Injuries have slowed him at times, but when healthy, Jenkins can absolutely compete for a starting job and raise the unit’s overall toughness.
Dylan Parham of the Las Vegas Raiders is another intriguing budget option. Parham’s athleticism makes him a strong fit for modern blocking schemes, particularly those that ask guards to pull and work in space. He may not arrive as a guaranteed starter, but he has the versatility to push incumbents and improve depth immediately.
Early-round draft targets
The draft could be where the Saints find their long-term answer. Penn State’s Vega Ioane is a powerful interior presence who thrives in tight quarters and rarely gets walked back into the pocket.
Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon brings size, length, and upside, flashing the tools of a future anchor if coached properly. Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis rounds out the group as a technically refined lineman with a high floor and starter-level instincts.
Whether through free agency, the draft, or a mix of both, the blueprint is clear. If the Saints want Tyler Shough to take the next leap in 2026, it starts by giving him firmerground to stand on.