The Saints now have another of their impact 2017 draft class committed long-term. Ryan Ramczyk agreed to terms on a five-year, $96M extension Tuesday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
This megadeal comes with $60M in guarantees, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), and will tie Ramczyk to the Saints through the 2026 season. This checks a key offseason box for the Saints, who now have Ramczyk and Alvin Kamara signed to top-market deals from their 2017 class.
Ramczyk’s $19.2M AAV makes him the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle. He eclipses the Eagles’ Lane Johnson, who held this distinction for nearly two years. Ramczyk’s $60M guarantee also surpasses Johnson’s. Extending the All-Pro blocker loomed as New Orleans’ top offseason priority, even though Marshon Lattimore is also going into a contract year. With Ramczyk locked down, it will be interesting to see how the Saints proceed with the Pro Bowl cornerback. A Lattimore extension would create additional cap space as well.
The Saints chose Ramczyk with the pick acquired in the first Brandin Cooks trade (No. 32 overall, from the Patriots) and plugged the Wisconsin prospect in opposite Terron Armstead. Ramcyzk became a quick study and has started all 63 games he’s played as a pro. While Ramczyk is without a Pro Bowl, that is not uncommon as right tackles are often overlooked for such honors. Pro Football Focus graded Ramczyk as a top-10 overall tackle in each of his first three seasons and slotted him first in 2019. Last season marked a step back, via PFF, but Ramczyk still graded 20th among edge blockers.
Ramczyk proved vital during Drew Brees‘ final seasons and will certainly play a pivotal role in Jameis Winston and/or Taysom Hill‘s success under center. The Saints now have Ramczyk, Armstead and guard Andrus Peat signed to veteran contracts. Armstead, however, is going into a contract year. Moving Ramczyk to left tackle in 2022 could be a viable scenario, should the Saints move on from Armstead. The tandem will enter its fifth year together in 2021.
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