Saints Could Provide First-Round Surprise With This Offensive Lineman
In the waning years of the career of QB Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints rebuilt their offensive line to establish better balance. Over the last eight years, the Saints have spent five first or second round picks on T/G Andrus Peat (2015), T Ryan Ramczyk (2017), C Erik McCoy (2019), G Cesar Ruiz (2020), and T Trevor Penning (2022).
Will New Orleans do it again in 2023?
The oft-injured Peat is in the last year of his contract and has missed 18 games in the last two seasons. Ruiz showed great improvement in 2022, but the team has yet to pick up his fifth-year option for 2024.
If you're looking for a surprise first-round choice from the Saints, interior offensive line could be the spot.
G - Steve Avila
TCU (Sr.)
6'4" 332-Lbs.
TCU Horned Frogs offensive lineman Steve Avila (79) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY
A Texas native, Avila saw light duty as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He'd start nine games for the Horned Frogs in 2020, seeing action at center, guard, and right tackle. As the team’s starting center in 2021, he'd earn 2nd Team All-Big 12 recognition.
Moving to left guard in 2022, Avila was a 1st Team All-Big 12 selection and 2nd Team All-American. He was not credited with a single sack in over 500 dropbacks in 2022 for the national runner-up Frogs.
A team captain and three-year starter, Avila brings plenty of experience and high character to the NFL. He's a limited athlete, but graded in the top quarter of participating interior blockers at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Avila can get grabby and draw flags if a rusher is outside his range instead of moving his feet. He'll need to open up his hips more fluidly to deal with lateral defenders. His set-up as a pass blocker can be a bit stiff and upright.
Lateral agility is not a strength for Avila. This limits his side-to-side range as a run blocker and leaves him susceptible to speed rushers and delayed blitzers. He can also be a step slow in helping out on double teams. His reactive hand placement must improve to deal with counter moves from pass rushers.
Avila plays with pure power and regularly flattens opponents. He'll block through every whistle, playing with a nasty demeanor that wins over his teammates. Avila also has an impressive football IQ and was able to handle line audibles.
Bull rushers have little chance against Avila. He sets an immovable anchor and puts up an interior wall for the pass pocket. He'll remain balanced against counter moves and has the awareness to push a rusher aside and quickly move to another threat.
As a run blocker, Avila has elite drive off the line to create an initial lane. He gets to the second level of the defense quickly to spring big plays. He'll consistently move defenders to get a push in short yardage and sustains his blocks to open up cutback lanes.
TCU Horned Frogs center Steve Avila (79) lines up over the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY
Ramczyk, despite knee concerns, and McCoy are among the league's best at their positions. Penning is expected to take over the left tackle spot, which allows James Hurst to fill in at either guard or tackle. There are concerns about the durability of Peat and the continued growth of Ruiz, as well as major contract issues for both players. Avila could provide a big interior answer.
Steve Avila and O'Cyrus Torrence of Florida are the top-graded interior blockers in this draft. Avila is projected to be selected early in Day 2. However, he has the skills, along with the versatility that New Orleans covets, to be an instant starter and a first-round pick.
