Article Landon Young could be in line for first career start at Guard vs Falcons; Allen, Benton, and Patrick have confidence in Young (1 Viewer)

[SonOfNOLA]

With the Saints in a pinch on the interior offensive line, could Landon Young be a solution?

The New Orleans Saints are in a pinch on the interior of their offensive line.

www.nola.com

Though he didn't play inside at all last year, he kept at it this summer, and Young played snaps at every offensive line position except center during the 2024 preseason. The work paid off.

When starting left guard Lucas Patrick went down with an injury in Week 1, Young stepped in and played well in 30 snaps at guard — his first at the position in a meaningful football game at any level. Pro Football Focus gave him a 79.3 overall grade for that game, the fifth-highest of any Saints offensive player.

Young took part in practice on a limited basis Wednesday, and he could be in line for his first career start on the offensive interior Sunday at Atlanta.

The things that have made the team trust Young as a swing tackle in the past are what makes them believe he can handle the move inside.

"He's a big, physical player," Allen said. "And I think he fits what we're trying to do offensively. For as big as he is, he's a pretty good foot athlete."

Beyond the physical side of things, the Saints like Young's ability to learn things quickly. Offensive line coach John Benton quipped that Young could probably "coach the (offensive line) room as well as I do."

He held up well in his first test earlier this season against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. If he gets another shot this week against the Falcons, the Saints are confident he'll get the job done.

"He went right in there (in Week 1), and it was pretty seamless," Patrick said. "The dude prepares well, he's a gritty player, he's big and physical. ... All the cross-training he did in camp, he played everywhere but center. I think Landon is ready if and when his number needs to be called."

 

[BELOWSEALEVEL]

Good luck LY. We need ya

 

[Rexman100]

With the Saints in a pinch on the interior offensive line, could Landon Young be a solution?

The New Orleans Saints are in a pinch on the interior of their offensive line.

www.nola.com

id rather a LT or RT moving to OG or Center, then a back-up center moving to LT or RT. So there's that.

 

[DeuceMcAllisterFan]

I have no doubt he can play. He just has to stay healthy.

 

[SoggyBottomBoy]

We've been grooming a few mid-round offensive linemen picks. We're about to find out their readiness.

IMO, they'll do well. They have to. The free agent market is depleted. A lot of teams are trying to patch their lines.

 

[TribuneUK]

This tells me Saldiveri is still nowhere near playing - is it still injury? If so, fair enough, but if not I wonder what's his projection for a meaningful role on the team?

 

[meily]

This tells me Saldiveri is still nowhere near playing - is it still injury? If so, fair enough, but if not I wonder what's his projection for a meaningful role on the team?

That would be my question as well,.

This guy was a 3rd to 4th round pick and is not starting?

 

[jesusfish]

What is the suggestion of this article? Landon to LG as the new starter until McCoy is back? Who replaces Ruiz if he is out? Saldiveri or Udoh or Lemieiux?

 

[jesusfish]

This tells me Saldiveri is still nowhere near playing - is it still injury? If so, fair enough, but if not I wonder what's his projection for a meaningful role on the team?

He played a snap for Ruiz against the Eagles. So, no, I don't think it's injury. More likely ability.

 

[DeuceMcAllisterFan]

Saldiveri was out for most of camp. That really hurt his chances as he's probably still behind the eight ball.

 

[Merl]

This tells me Saldiveri is still nowhere near playing - is it still injury? If so, fair enough, but if not I wonder what's his projection for a meaningful role on the team?

I believe he went in for Ruiz for a play

 

[TribuneUK]

That would be my question as well,.

This guy was a 3rd to 4th round pick and is not starting?

Saldiveri was out for most of camp. That really hurt his chances as he's probably still behind the eight ball.

Indeed, 4th round.

Sounds like he's missed best part of two camps with injury, so it's seemingly a case of stunted development to date, or he really is seen as a RG only (unlikely).

 

[St. Widge]

This tells me Saldiveri is still nowhere near playing - is it still injury? If so, fair enough, but if not I wonder what's his projection for a meaningful role on the team?

Could be injury. Or it could just be that because he missed so much time due to injury, he isn't ready to play in the new scheme.

I think they had him penciled in as the starter at LG this season but he was out so long that Patrick solidified himself as the starting LG and Young may have replaced him as the backup.

 

[St. Widge]

That would be my question as well,.

This guy was a 3rd to 4th round pick and is not starting?

I mean you are lucky when 3rd and 4th round picks end up being starters early in their career. Most of them are backups or take several years to become starters.

 

[Saintscuffy]

I hope he takes the spot and doesnt give it back