In the past few years, we have seen the NFL continue to evolve in terms of defensive schemes and offensive valuations of various positions. One thing that remains constant, though, is the value of high-level play in the trenches, specifically on the offensive line. We have seen that the vast majority of Super Bowl-winning teams this decade have offensive lines that are somewhere between reliable and outstanding, and very few that are below average.
The New Orleans Saints, with Kellen Moore as head coach, look to focus on that as well, with an offensive line that is rapidly emerging as one of the best in the league. With Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. anchoring the tackle spots, along with Erik McCoy and now David Edwards on the interior, they have rapidly built something impressive. Yet with that, they continue to look at offensive line prospects, as they had an in-person meeting with Notre Dame captain Aamil Wagner.
Notre Dame @NDFootball offensive tackle Aamil Wagner (6-6, 306, 5.01 speed #NFLCombine, team captain, zero penalties fewest among #NFLDraft tackle prospects) 2.4 % pressure rate allowed on drop-back sets, 34 1/2 inch arms, two-year starter) has met in-person with #Saints formal,… pic.twitter.com/MT6DkPtjaC
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 7, 2026
Wagner has been rising up boards this spring, and is one of the most reliable offensive tackle options year-to-year. All 1,718 collegiate snaps of his at Notre Dame came at the right tackle spot, and in that span, he allowed only three sacks and 39 pressures, accruing only four total penalties. 29 of his pressures allowed came in 2024, but in 695 snaps this year, he gave up only seven.
He’s someone I’m much higher on than other analysts. At 6-foot-6, 306 pounds, he has great measurables, and if selected by New Orleans, would create an interesting debate. Do they continue to shuffle the line around, moving Fuaga or Wagner inside on the right side, replacing Cesar Ruiz? Fuaga moving twice in two years is a lot to ask, as is moving a career right tackle as soon as he hits the league. It will be fascinating to see how the offensive line evolves even further during the draft, especially if they were to select Wagner.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints met with Notre Dame right tackle Aamil Wagner