Landon Young will play tackle for the New Orleans Saints

Landon Young came off the board in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Heading into a situation that has some clear starters along the line of scrimmage, many were wondering which position along the line Young would play.

The Lexington (Ky.) Lafayette product was strictly a left tackle at the University of Kentucky where he played 49 career games with 24 consecutive starts at left tackle to end his career. The All-SEC selection was a one-position player in college, but the prospect will need to show some positional versatility at the next level.

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” Young told reporters on Saturday after the draft. “I’ve had a little bit of experience on the right side as well — something that I’ve been practicing and staying in tune with. Of course, I had all my reps in college at left tackle but I definitely think that I can be a potential four position player on the offensive line.”

With All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk at right tackle, the Saints don’t need a starter. This is a franchise that is looking for depth on the offensive line, but the NFC South member specifically needs tackle help. Left tackle Terron Armstead is also under contract for the near future, so depth is needed on both sides. Head coach Sean Payton believes that Young is absolutely an NFL tackle.

“Landon Young, I think, reads very clearly for us as a tackle,” said Payton. “So we will probably work him at right, to begin with. He’s played left. I think he’s smart enough to play both. That would be our vision with him.”

This vision came after the draft process where Young visited with the Saints a ton. New Orleans sent an assistant to Lexington for Kentucky’s Pro Day to work directly with the prospect during the workout. Young had a feeling the Saints could be calling his name come draft weekend.

“I actually had quite a bit of contact early in the draft process with the Saints, especially during pro day,” said Young. “I had one of the offensive line coaches actually come and facilitate our drills — so we had a lot of time to talk there. Definitely someone I knew that was pretty interested.”

Check out Payton and Young’s media sessions below to hear how the former Kentucky tackle will fit in with the New Orleans Saints organization.