4 safest selections NOLA Saints could make in 2022 NFL Draft

4. Tyler Linderbaum

I put Tyler Linderbaum on here but he’s this low because I’m not sure he’ll still be available when New Orleans is on the clock. Centers aren’t always the most popular targets in the draft but the Iowa center should be well-coveted considering how many teams need help at the position.

Some might be confused why Linderbaum would be listed here when the Saints have a perfectly good center in Erik McCoy. I would understand the confusion but remember, these are the safest picks, not the most logical ones.

NOLA has shown in recent years that they won’t hesitate to draft an offensive lineman in the first round even if they don’t need to. Ryan Ramczyk and Cesar Ruiz are perfect examples of that and while Ruiz hasn’t worked out to this point, Ramczyk is one of the best right tackles in football.

Speaking of Ruiz, it’s because of him that drafting Linderbaum could make sense. If New Orleans could nab him at pick No. 18 or trade up to get him, they could slide the Iowa product in at center and then move McCoy over to right guard, which he’s done before.

This would remove Ruiz from the starting lineup and Saints fans everywhere would rejoice.

Again, I don’t see Linderbaum being on the board past the top 15 picks, but if he is, I could definitely see the Saints taking him. He’s one of the safest bets there is in this draft.