The New Orleans Saints already made one splash on the offensive line with the David Edwards signing. Their starting offensive line is seemingly set for 2026. Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline reports that everything is not what it seems. Pauline puts the Saints directly in the Emmanuel Pregnon sweepstakes, and in turn, putting Cesar Ruiz's future in question.
With recent additions to the line, Ruiz is the one player, when healthy, that feels like the week line. For that reason, it wouldn't be a stunner. However, guard hasn't been mentioned as an option that early since Edwards joined the team. Per Pauline, that could all change if the Oregon guard is on the board in the second round.
Pauline doesn't mention the Saints by name, but he does say "the expected range for Pregnon is between picks 25 and 42." That's a pretty specific range. It's not just a range the Saints fall within. The Saints are the last pick in the range, insinuating Pauline's sources tell him there's no way Pregnon falls beyond the Saints.
Saints drafting a guard that early would mean the end for Cesar Ruiz
Pauline's report is an indication of how much the Saints like Pregnon, and it is equally an indictment of how disappointed they are in Cesar Ruiz. If they were pleased and satisfied with Ruiz's performance, this wouldn't be a conversation, regardless of how they felt about Pregnon. At best, it's a sign of Ruiz being on thin ice.
One thing that can't be completely cleared up is if the alleged interest extends to other guards in the second round or stops at Pregnon. That would let you know how dire the Saints are to find a new right guard. Selecting an interior offensive lineman is a move that makes sense at some point, and they only draft one that early if he's coming in to be a starter. With only one spot left on the starting line, we know what that would mean.
Not only would Ruiz be pushed out of the starting lineup, he'd also be pushed out of New Orleans. You need depth along the offensive line, but the team isn't paying Ruiz more than $14 million to be a depth player. Be on the lookout for the Saints dealing Ruiz in the early portions of Day 3 of the NFL Draft if they pick second round offensive guard.