The New Orleans Saints added to their offensive line depth early in the workweek.
Unrestricted Free Agent offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh has agreed to a one-year contract with the Black and Gold. Ari Meirov was one of the first to break the news on X.
Oli Udoh is listed at 6’6″, 320 lbs, and is a five-year veteran after he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. In those five seasons, Udoh has appeared in 43 games and started in 18 games at right guard and left tackle while also having a playoff start at right tackle.
In 2023, Udoh played in two games with one start at left tackle in Week Two before suffering a season-ending quadriceps injury. The former Elon University Phoenix is ahead of schedule in his recovery and is expected to be back soon. according to Ross Jackson on X.
In 2022, he was a depth piece along the offensive line before moving into the starting lineup at right tackle in Week 18 and Minnesota’s NFC Wild Card Playoff appearance. In 2021, he played in all 17 contests with 14 starts at right guard and two at left tackle.
At Elon, the Fayetteville, N.C. native started 45 consecutive games from 2015-18 after redshirting in 2014. During his redshirt senior season in 2018, Udoh earned Phil Steele FCS first-team All-America honors in helping Elon average 199.5 yards per game on the ground to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association. Udoh also earned invites to the NFL Scouting Combine, East-West Shrine Game, and Reese’s Senior Bowl after his senior year.
Now, the offensive line is headlined by Ryan Ramzcyk, Cesar Ruiz, and Erik McCoy. Others across the line include Trevor Penning, James Hurst, Nick Saldiveri, Landon Young, Tommy Kraemer, and Mark Evans II.