The New Orleans Saints may not win many games in the 2025 season, but Kellen Moore is taking the right approach to roster building. After focusing on the offensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft by adding left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to pair with Taliese Fuaga, the Saints have made another depth signing to bolster their ranks.
The Saints agreed to a contract with former New York Giants interior lineman Shane Lemieux, who spent most of the 2024 season in black and gold with New Orleans. Lemieux had previously worked out with the Saints in June, but left without securing a contract.
The Saints would love it if Lemieux stays on the bench the entire year as a backup while the starters do their thing, but they seem confident in his ability to handle himself as a starter should injury or poor performance overtake one of them.
Saints sign veteran backup OL Shane Lemieux
Lemieux was originally a fifth-round pick of the Giants way back in 2020. While he severely underperformed in his rookie season, the team still had some hope that he could eventually turn it around. Those hopes were quickly and emphatically ruined after the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Lemieux played in one game in each of those two seasons due to separate knee and toe injuries. The Saints took a flier on him last year, and he played in seven games while starting four. Lemieux's PFF grade was not very exemplary, as he ranked 57th out of 64 players at his position.
Lemieux is likely nothing more than a depth signing, as the Saints would love to enter 2025 with Trevor Penning at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, and Cesar Ruiz at right guard. However, Lemieux could be a solid backup for both of them, and he could start over Penning if the former top pick continues to falter.
Lemieux hasn't been the best guard in the league, but he's also been thrown some major curveballs by the injury bug. Hopefully, the Saints can get another healthy season out of Lemiuex and he can play a part in getting this offense turned around in 2025.