New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk is facing an uncertain future. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Ramczyk's knee is a concern heading into the season on Tuesday. Ramczyk underwent offseason surgery after a recurring knee injury caused him to miss the final five contests of the 2023 campaign. Allen indicated the recovery process hasn't gone according to plan thus far.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis must respond by drafting an offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Saints arguably have holes at both left and right tackle, with Ramczyk no longer a lock to play on the right, and Trevor Penning's ongoing struggle to develop into the left tackle they envisioned he'd be.
We've identified four offensive tackle prospects the Saints should target in the first and second rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
JC LATHAM, ALABAMA
JC Latham is arguably the best plug-and-play right tackle available. If the Saints' primary objective is to draft Ramczyk's replacement, Latham should be a shortlisted target at No. 14 overall. As impressive as this tackle class is, no competing prospect can match Latham's overall strength and vice-like grip in his 95th-percentile 11-inch hands. The rep is over once Latham latches on.
Latham possesses prototypical size and athleticism. His 6-foot-5, 342-pound measurements paired with an 84-inch wingspan and 35-inch arms are downright ridiculous. Mass, length, and strength should allow Latham to be an instant high-end starter at right tackle.
AMARIUS MIMS, GEORGIA
The aforementioned Penning has struggled mightily at left tackle. A move to guard, or even to right tackle, should be considered in an attempt to salvage Penning's flailing career. The Saints can't rely on Penning to protect Derek Carr's blind side in 2024.
Enter Amarius Mims into the picture. Mims arguably possesses the highest ceiling of any tackle prospect. What Mims lacks in experience (402 total career snaps in pass protection), he makes up for with raw upside and rare size. Mims possesses 91st-percentile or better measurements in height (6-foot-7), weight (340), wingspan (86 3/4"), arm length (36 1/8"), and hand size (11.25 inches). The sample size is smaller than desired, but it’s also downright dominant. Mims is going to be drafted within the opening 20 selections, and the Saints own the 14th selection.
PATRICK PAUL, HOUSTON
Loomis will certainly draft an offensive tackle with his second-round selection at No. 45 if he takes his first-round pick in another direction. Houston's Patrick Paul is worthy of receiving top 50 attention.
Paul has some technical warts in his game that a good-quality offensive line coach should manage to sort through at the next level. It's a worthwhile investment given Paul's unteachables (86 1/4" wingspan, 36 1/4" length). Paul possesses the traits required to develop into a dependable offensive tackle.
ROGER ROSENGARTEN, WASHINGTON
Washington's Roger Rosengarten deserves more attention than he's receiving. He's among the premier athletes in the class. Rosengarten ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.92) at the NFL Combine among all participating linemen, interior prospects included.
Rosengarten's athletic profile best projects to a zone-blocking scheme. The Saints hired Klint Kubiak as their new offensive coordinator to install that offense. Rosengarten's foot quickness and movement skills would thrive in Kubiak's system, which emphasizes blocking in space.
