It’s no secret that the New Orleans Saints have some significant concerns about their offensive line ahead of Week 1, particularly in front of Derek Carr. The most pressing issue is with Trevor Penning at right tackle, a former first-round pick who has struggled during the summer. This has led to some noteworthy comments, including from Saints head coach Dennis Allen.
So, what can the Saints do to address this? One option could be to explore free agency, with Bleacher Report suggesting that the team consider signing Halapoulivaati Vaitai:
“The Saints are thin on the offensive line, which could be problematic since Derek Carr has been known to struggle under pressure. Adding a veteran like Vaitai would be a smart move, especially given his experience playing both guard and tackle.”
Vaitai isn’t the first free-agent lineman the Saints have been advised to consider recently. At 31 years old, Vaitai could serve as a valuable insurance policy for the Saints. Last year, he took a pay cut to remain with the Detroit Lions but played in only six games before being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Signing a player like Vaitai now would be a wise long-term move for the Saints. It would give him time to get acclimated to the team before potentially being called upon. His versatility in playing either tackle or interior positions is a significant plus, and at this point, it wouldn’t have much of a negative impact on the team’s already tricky cap situation.
