Larry Warford: Saints signing former Lions offensive lineman

In an effort to fortify their offensive line, the Saints will reportedly sign former Lions’ guard Larry Warford.

New Orleans has a perpetual need on the defensive side of the ball, which they have made some moves to address on the first day of free agency. But the offensive line has been a secondary priority, with rumored interest in top free agent guard Kevin Zeitler before he signed a record-setting deal with the Browns.

Clearly in search of a higher end right guard in free agency, the Saints have reportedly agreed to terms with Larry Warford. Financial terms are not out yet, but a report earlier this month from Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst.com suggested Warford could get $9 million-plus per year in a new deal on the open market.

Pro Football Focus graded Warford well as a run and pass blocker last season, which surely helped his standing on the free agent market with teams that value analytic evaluation. Over his first four NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions Warford proved to be reliable, starting all 57 games he played in.

Warford had a terrific rookie season after being a third-round pick (No. 65 overall)  by the Lions in 2013, allowing zero sacks and being named Rookie of the Year by Pro Football Focus. But has been inconsistent since then, due in part to injuries that have caused a few missed games here and there, before bouncing back solidly last season.

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Warford will turn 26 until June, so the Saints theoretically have a long-term building block at right guard to replace the aging mainstay Evans has been. Next to center Max Unger and with 2015 first-round pick Andrus Peat having shifted to left guard, New Orleans’ interior line looks plenty able to keep the sight lines for Drew Brees clean.