New Orleans Saints: Individually grading the team’s dominant offensive line

LARRY WARFORD – GUARD

GRADE: C

2019 Statistics

Offensive Snaps Played: 970

Penalties: 6

Sacks Allowed: 2

PFF Grade: 73.1

2020 Status: Final Year of Contract

Larry Warford has been with the New Orleans Saints since signing with the team in 2017. He signed a 4 year, $34M contract with $17M guaranteed. A third-round pick in 2013, Warford played for four seasons with the Detroit Lions.

After making it to two consecutive Pro Bowls from the 2017 and 2018 season, Warford had a down year compared to the two in 2019. He had the same number of penalties and sacks allowed in 2019 as he did in both previous years combined. This being said, he still had an average year, just not a Pro Bowl-caliber one. However, he has been added as a late addition to the 2020 Pro Bowl roster per a report by the Advocate Saints reporter Amie Just:

Warford, if you ask the Who Dat Nation, is probably the least mentioned name when talking about the starters on the offensive line. He does his job, doesn’t cause any trouble, and has been less than vocal. He’s someone that any team would be glad to have on their line at the guard position.

In review of his playoff game against the Vikings, he didn’t look great. The line seemed to fall apart on the right side, and it’s certainly not his fault entirely, but it was noticeable. Still, he played at a starter level, and for the most part, did things right.

Warford is in the final year of his contract and has a cap hit of $12,875,000 according to Spotrac.

Releasing him before the season would reduce his dead cap to $4,375,000, saving the Saints $8.5M. It may make more sense to keep him through the 2020 season and try to negotiate a contract for 2021 with a reasonable offer, allowing more cash for free agents and draft picks.