A position-by-position look at where the New Orleans Saints stand heading into the 2016 offseason -- counting down from No. 13 to No. 1 in order of need for upgrades or replacements. At No. 11 is offensive tackle.
Current depth chart:
Terron Armstead. Age 24, signed through 2016. 2016 salary and bonuses: $1.696 million. 2016 salary-cap number: $1.85 million.
Zach Strief. Age 32, signed through 2018. 2016 salary and bonuses: $3.5 million. 2016 salary-cap number: $4.54 million.
Andrus Peat. Age 22, signed through 2018. 2016 salary and bonuses: $952,887. 2016 salary-cap number: $2.59 million.
Tony Hills. Age 31, unrestricted free agent.
Bryan Witzmann. Age 25, signed to reserve/futures contract.
Analysis:
After drafting Peat in the first round last year, the Saints are awfully well-stocked for the future at this vital position.
They will need to lock up Armstead to an extension at some point, since he is heading into the final year of his deal. But I expect that to be a top priority. The left tackle is playing at a Pro Bowl level heading into his fourth season, and coach Sean Payton recently said he wouldn’t trade him for any other tackle in the league.
Peat, meanwhile, remains a work in progress. But he should compete for the starting right-tackle job this season and has the potential to lock it down for a decade. He could also switch to left tackle one day if Armstead is ever gone for any reason.
Strief remains a solid starter and veteran leader. He could potentially become a salary-cap casualty if the Saints feel that Peat is definitely ready to replace him. Or else it’s possible that Strief will take a pay cut and stay as a proven backup at both tackle spots -- something he suggested he would be willing to do late in the season.
If the Saints do let Strief go, then they’ll need to invest in a No. 3 offensive tackle in free agency or during the middle of the draft. But they don’t have to invest any of their most valuable resources on the position.
Previous rankings: