Senior Bowl standout can help Saints replace Pro Bowl talent during 2026 NFL Draft to keep QB Tyler Shough out of harm's way

Guard Cesar Ruiz struggled to the tune of a 55.1 overall blocking grade from Pro Football Focus this season. Meanwhile, fellow guard Dillon Radunz wasn't any better, clocking in at a grade of 48.5. Both He ranked 75th out of 81 guards, while Ruiz ranked 57th.

New Orleans also must keep in mind the long-term outlook at center. While McCoy has been a great player for quite some time, the injuries continue to mount. He will be 29 years old next season, and he's missed twenty games over the past two seasons with the Saints.

Finding possible replacements for these interior players and/or improved backup options should be on the minds of New Orleans' staff during both the draft and free agency. I like the value of picking up Rutledge sometime during the selection process, due to his versatility and relentless nature.

Rutledge plays with tenacity and a consistent motor. He's been showing that on a rep by rep basis so far in Mobile during Senior Bowl workouts and practice.

The Saints have always appreciated physicality when it comes to offensive linemen. There's no better example of following that protocol than the draft capital they poured into taking Trevor Penning in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. While that didn't work out, Rutledge is more so projected to go in the round 3-5 range of this year's draft.

He doesn't share the same profile, as a whole, to Penning, and he is expected to play along the interior from start to finish in his pro career. Rutledge is a versatile lineman who can push for playing time immediately if he joins New Orleans' depth chart.

A potential NFL offensive lineman for the foreseeable future

Ryan Roberts, who covers the NFL Draft for A to Z Sports, provided some great insight on Rutledge. He believes in him as a long-term OL option in the pros.

"The words “grinder”, “tone setter”, and “lunch pail” are going to be overly used to describe Keylan Rutledge’s game, but honestly, it fits perfectly. The former Georgia Tech standout isn’t a flashy athlete but he’s incredibly efficient and physical.

That is what he has showcased this week at the Senior Bowl so far. Rutledge has impressive punch timing, consistently landing his punches with accuracy. He plays from a consistent base, highlighting his strong anchor in pass protection. Where in 1-on-1s or in term drills, his effort as a blocker has flashed.

While his physical limitations may limited him to a long-term swing role, Rutledge is the type of player who can compete for a roster spot for a long time on the NFL level." -- Roberts