For New Orleans Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk, the epic journey continues

New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is showing why he deserves to be in this year’s Pro Bowl only seven weeks into the 2019 NFL season.

Khalil Mack, J.J. Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney are three of the best edge rushers in the NFL today. All three have tried Ryan Ramczyk, and all have failed. The three have combined for nine tackles and zero sacks against the 6’6”, 314-pound tackle from Wisconsin. On the season, he’s allowed zero sacks overall, making him one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL.

So how did we end up with such a great talent?

Before Ramczyk was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft,  the Saints featured Drew Brees throwing bombs to the young, speedy Brandin Cooks. Cooks was a dynamic play maker, racking up big chunks of yards at a time.

Many Saints fans thought Cooks could be a star. However, Cooks’ attitude changed much as the young receiver wanted more opportunities. What was the breaking point for the 2014 1st round pick?

I attended the Nov. 27, 2016 game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints ended up blowing out the Rams 49-21. You would think Cooks had a big day, but he didn’t. He had no catches all game. On top of that, he had no targets. Not even one. Michael Thomas, however, had a break out game, catching 9 passes for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The problem was that Brees was getting older and became in need of a big possession receiver he once had in Marques Colston. Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, the Saints decided to trade Cooks to the New England Patriots for a 1st and 3rd round pick.

The Saints bet on second year wide receiver Michael Thomas, and selected Ramczyk with the 32nd pick overall that same year alongside other 2017 Saints draftees Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Williams, and Alvin Kamara. This decision possibly secured the Saints the best wide receiver and offensive tackle in the NFL.

Besides slowing down three of the league’s top pass rushers, Ramczyk controlled the line against one of the best defenses overall in the NFL this past weekend. According to Pro Football Focus, “Ramczyk allowed zero pressures across 41 pass-blocking snaps.”

There is still more than half of the NFL season for Ramczyk and the Saints, but nothing suggests the young tackle is slowing down anytime soon. He’s on pace not just for the Pro Bowl, but perhaps an All-Pro mention this year. We certainly believe he is our team’s offensive MVP so far.