The New Orleans Saints' contract breakdown by position: The offensive Line

One of the most important yet unheralded positions in football is the offensive line or “Big Uglies” who’s responsible for protecting what is likely a team’s largest investment and getting things going on the ground.

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) center poses with guard Senio Kelemete (65) and tackle Zach Strief and center Max Unger (60) and offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) and offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) and tackle Terron Armstead (72) and guard Jahri Evans (73) and offensive tackle Mike McGlynn (77) following win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have had some great players on the O-line in the Sean Payton era. Jon Stinchcomb, Jonathan Goodwin, Jermon Bushrod, Zach Strief. And now in his second stint with the Saints, Jahri Evans have all been standouts.

Recently, offensive line play has been more sketchy. Drew Brees is getting pressured more, and some recent draft picks haven’t panned out the way the Black and Gold had hoped they would.

Who Dat Dish breaks down the contracts of the Saints’ offensive line group and ranks each player at that position based on value from first to worst.

Terron Armstead is easily the star of the Saints’ offensive line. Aside from some injury time off, he’s certainly the best bang for the buck on this unit.

Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The four-year starter out of the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff has been a solid presence at left tackle since he came into the league in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft. Protecting Drew Brees’ blindside is arguably the most important job on the team, aside from being the starting quarterback, and Brees is noticeably less confident in his protection when Armstead is out.

The contract for this standout ties him up through 2021 with his most recent extension. $65 million over 5 years with $30 million guaranteed.

When healthy, Armstead is a legitimate Pro Bowl prospect. His contract is currently the highest on the Black and Gold roster following the redo on the contract of Drew Brees.

Zach Strief is the second longest serving Saint offensive lineman. Following a less than stellar 2015, he’s returned with a vigor in 2016.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and tackle Zach Strief (64) celebrate a touchdown as Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) walks off the field during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The 33 year-old in his 11th NFL season out of Northwestern, Strief was publicly called out on national TV last season by J.J. Watt. It would be hard to argue that Strief’s performance in 2015 was anything more than sub par.

But in 2016 Zach Strief is playing like a new man. Even though the Saints spent a high first round pick on Andrus Peat to replace him, Strief has maintained a lock on his job at right tackle since replacing Jon Stinchcomb.

His contract is a 5-year deal paying out $20 million with $8.4 million guaranteed and locks him up through 2018.

Since coming from the Seahawks in free agency, Max Unger has shown that the trade of Jimmy Graham for him was a solid move.

Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints center Max Unger (60) looks at the San Diego Chargers defense before the snap during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. New Orleans won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The center on an NFL roster is responsible for calling pass protections and blocking schemes. You could call him the captain of the unit, the play-caller. It’s a very important position and requires smarts and an insane amount of physical toughness.

When the Saints traded away Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham for Unger, many in Who Dat Nation were up in arms. The Graham trade had more to do with locker room distractions than on the field production, but the concern of the Saints fans was understandable.

Since coming to New Orleans Max Unger, the 30 year-old 8-year pro out of the University of Oregon has only shown that the Saints can occasionally make the right moves in free agency. Graham’s play has declined and Unger is a solid middle and veteran presence on the line.

Recently extended, Unger is tied up through 2019 on a 3-year $22.2 million dollar deal with $14.3 million guaranteed.

Right guard Jahri Evans helped the Saints win a Super Bowl in 2009 and is the elder statesman on the offensive line.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) and center Max Unger (60) block Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) in the second half of their game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Raiders won, 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Out of Bloomsburg University, this 11-year pro has played in 157 games for the Black and Gold. In his first year in the league in 2006, he played in all 16 games after being drafted in the 4th round of that year. He didn’t miss a game until 2013.

After being let go by the Saints earlier this year and spending the off season with the Seattle Seahawks, Evans was resigned by the Who Dats after Seattle let him go when roster cutdowns made him expendable for them.

He may have lost a little and the Saints have been working to rotate him out every once in a while to keep him fresh during games. Evans though is still performing at a high level.

His current deal with the Saints is for 1 year and $1 million. That makes him perhaps the best deal for the team currently with the issues the Black and Gold have had with the guard position.

Guard Tim Lelito was an undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Saints in 2012.

Sep 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) walks off the field after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Ravens won 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Providing value through versatility is what the 4th year pro brings to the Black and Gold. He’s not in any danger of making a Pro Bowl roster, but the Grand Valley State product has proved himself invaluable in a pinch.

Making his first start against the Cardinals in the 3rd game of his rookie season when Jahri Evans went down with a hamstring injury, Lelito has provided a solid presence on the line.

In 2016 he’s spent time at left and right guard spelling Andrus Peat and Evans. His most recent contract is just 1 year at $1.67 million. Players like Lelito are basically primarily career backups who wouldn’t cause any stampedes on the free agent market are invaluable at adding depth and are a luxury in the league.

It’s easy to imagine his contract being picked up for 2017 or extended.

The 13th pick in the 1st round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2015 draft, Stanford’s Andrus Peat has under performed to this point in his NFL career.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive guard Andrus Peat (75) in the second quarter of their game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations were high for the Pac 12 standout when the Saints spent a high1st round pick on him. He was expected to plug in immediately at the right tackle position in his first season, but veteran Zach Strief successfully fended off the challenge.

Disappointing in stints filling in when Terron Armstead was out at points during 2015, it was decided to try out Peat at the right guard, then at the left guard position where he showed perhaps his best performance to date as a Saint.

In filling in for Armstead at left tackle this season when the starter has been injured, Peat has looked adequate. Peat has a deal with a 4-year $11,393,496 contract. It was hoped the second-year player would be performing at a higher level at this point.

When Armstead comes back and Peat moves back to left guard, it’s hoped he will continue to develop. The problem though with him is being a 1st round pick, and Armstead coming in the 3rd round, it’s just hard to argue value or bang for the buck where Andrus Peat is concerned.

Guard Senio Kelemete has proven valuable at times but hasn’t been able to crack the Black and Gold roster as a full-time starter.

Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts with guard Senio Kelemete (65) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Titans won, 34-28, in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Originally drafted in the 5th round in 2012 by the Arizona Cardinals and released following the season, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He began seeing game action with the Who Dats in 2014 and started five games in 2015.

Kelemete has spent most of his Saints career battling guard Tim Lelito for time at the left guard position opposite Jahri Evans and filling in for either when needed.

He’s currently on a 2-year $2.7 million contract of which $300,000 is guaranteed. His value at this point is only as a back up and in his ability to give Jahri Evans an occasional breather. Simply put, with one of the larger contracts being paid to a back up player Kelemete’s value to the team from a return on investment perspective is limited.

The former Washington Huskie’s contract runs through 2017, and it’s unlikely the Saints will keep him past that point.

It can be argued that tackle Tony Hills’ biggest contribution to the team has been off the field.

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

During halftime in the Saints miraculous come from behind win in San Diego, it’s said that veteran tackle Tony Hills delivered something of a fire and brimstone speech that motivated the players to come back for the second half with renewed determination to win. Apparently Hills is a deacon at his church and brought that style to the locker room.

The former Texas Longhorn has had a truly circuitous NFL career after originally being a 3rd round pick by the Steelers in the 2008 NFL draft. Hang in there with this list; it’s a long one. Hills has played for the following teams: Steelers, Broncos, Colts, Bills, Raiders, Dolphins, Cowboys, Panthers, Ravens, and finally the Saints.

Obviously he doesn’t stick around long, and his moving bills have to be staggering. Hills looked below average in preseason action and his only benefit on the roster aside from motivational speaking is as an emergency tackle.

Hills’ contract is 1 year and $760.000.

Longtime veteran Khalif Barnes is on a carousel of being cut and brought back in by the Black and Gold.

Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif Barnes (68) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The former Oakland Raider has to be getting dizzy at this point. He’s been cut and brought back in by the Saints three times in the past two months.

The benefit of Barnes on the roster is that he can play both tackle and guard if it’s necessary to call on his services in an extreme emergency. Originally drafted by the Jaguars in 2005, his best years were by the Bay in Silver and Black.

Based on how long he’s been in the league, his contract with the Saints is a 1-year $985,000 deal. It’s unlikely he’ll be with the Black and Gold following this season if he even makes it through to the end of 2016, and he’s yet to get on the field to date.