The New Orleans Saints earned their first win of the season on Sunday, but it might have come at a high cost. Starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., one of the NFL's most prominent up-and-coming offensive linemen, was carted off with an ankle injury in the team's 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Banks is expected to undergo surgery for what is being described as a "severe high-ankle sprain," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The second-year tackle is expected to be out indefinitely.
Asim Richards replaced Banks against Baltimore and would likely receive the first opportunity to start. New Orleans should still explore the market for additional help, whether that means signing a veteran or calling another team about a trade.
Former Detroit
Lions Pro Bowler Taylor Decker is a big name worth checking in on, but here are three other offensive tackles the Saints should consider:
Walker Little
The Jacksonville Jaguars currently list Little as their backup left tackle behind Anton Harrison, making him a natural trade candidate for New Orleans. Little has appeared in 66 games with 40 starts since Jacksonville selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's seen the field in 2026, though he's only played 20 snaps.
Little has had some inconsistency in pass protection, but he offers experience at the position that the Saints suddenly need to fill. Jacksonville also explored potential trades involving Little during the offseason. The 27-year-old would give the Saints someone capable of immediately competing with Richards.
Blake Fisher
Fisher would be a younger trade target with some long-term upside. The Houston Texans selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has already accumulated 15 stats over his first two seasons.
Houston's offensive line underwent significant changes during the offseason, which pushed Fisher into a reserve role. The Texans reporter also viewed him as a potential trade chip during the preseason.
For the Saints, acquiring Fisher would likely cost more than the other options. However, the 23-year-old could provide legitimate competition for Richards. He'd also give New Orleans another developmental tackle beyond Banks and Taliese Fuaga.
Charlie Heck
If the Saints would prefer to keep their draft capital, Heck is one of the most experienced tackles available in free agency. The former Houston Texans fourth-round pick has appeared in 51 games with 27 starts during his NFL career.
Heck spent the preseason with the Miami Dolphins before being released during final roster cuts. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently brought him in for a workout, but he left without signing a contract. He would not necessarily replace Richards in the starting lineup, though he could give the Saints a proven swing tackle while Banks recovers.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 3 tackles the Saints should consider after Kelvin Banks Jr.’s injury
