Asim Richards
New Orleans SaintsSeason Stats · 9 games
Draft & College
He went about where consensus had him.
Comps
STM Take
First STTM ranking at tier 8 (#62) in his third year confirms he is fringe starter or rotational depth, which is roughly on the curve for a 5th-round pick getting starter reps in a rebuilding offensive line. The North Carolina pedigree plus the Dallas-to-New Orleans path gives him basic developmental foundation. The 2026 question is whether Richards holds 8+ starts at OT for the Saints or whether the role compresses to swing-tackle depth.
Richards came out of North Carolina as the Dallas Cowboys' 5th-round pick (169th overall) in 2023 and spent two seasons as Dallas depth before being acquired by the New Orleans Saints in a 2025 roster move. He took over a starting OT role in New Orleans for portions of the 2025 season as the Saints worked through their offensive line transition. His first STTM appearance comes in 2025 with the Saints at tier 8 (#62).
Strengths
- First sustained NFL starter reps at age 25 after going 169th overall puts him meaningfully above his draft-slot expectation.
- Tier 8 (#62) finish in his first significant snap share confirms a usable floor at swing-tackle depth across two offensive line systems.
Concerns
- Tier 8 (#62) without any prior STTM history caps the realistic 2026 ceiling at low-end starter or depth.
- New Orleans's broader offensive line transition (multi-year rebuild) means Richards's 2026 role depends heavily on draft moves the Saints make.
What to watch: Whether Richards holds 10 or more starts in 2026 at OT or whether New Orleans's 2026 draft picks compress his role back to swing-tackle depth.