Andrus Peat has found a new home in the post-draft wave of free agency. The longtime Saints offensive lineman has agreed to a deal with the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
A 2015 first-round pick, Peat has spent his entire career in New Orleans, starting 102 of his 111 appearances (plus six playoff starts). That included a three-year stretch between 2018 and 2020 where he started all 36 of his games while earning Pro Bowl nods each season. Injuries were often a theme during Peat’s tenure with the Saints; the lineman missed 36 regular season games in nine seasons, including 17 between 2021 and 2022.
Peat bounced back from a health perspective in 2023, appearing in a career-high 16 games. The veteran initially lost his starting guard spot to James Hurst, but Peat eventually worked his way into the lineup at left tackle. Pro Football Focus only ranked him 56th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles, although he did improve on his performance from the previous two campaigns.
The veteran inked a five-year, $57.5MM deal with the Saints in 2020, but after a series of restructurings, the final year of that pact was voided. That made Peat a free agent following the 2023 campaign, and it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the lineman. The 30-year-old has only been connected to the Titans, although it was assumed his market would pick up following the draft.
Considering Peat’s versatility, he should be in the mix for a starting role in Les Vegas. The Raiders added Cody Whitehair via free agency before selecting Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round of the draft. Peat will join that duo and holdover Dylan Parham in a competition for the two starting guard spots, although the latest acquisition’s versatility means he could also see some opportunities at either tackle spot.
I wonder how Derek Carr feels about losing his starting LG to the Raiders. Not that Parham or Miller are going anywhere, but it is a move that adds experience and depth.
As a Saints fan; I’m very sorry Raiders
CCooper8920 — Don’t be too sorry, it will be okay.
The fact that Peat lost his starting gig to a nine year veteran had to hurt, but he was able to beat out the rest of your OL depth chart to start at LT. No doubt this led to the team drafting Fuaga first over all at 14.
I know he has Pro Bowls to his name, but Peat’s not a very good offensive lineman. The Saints liked him a lot for some reason that I cannot understand, hence that big contract, but he does have experience to offer the Raiders. That at least is valuable. I’d definitely prefer him at his more natural guard position than his tackle spot, but the experience on the outside is much better to have in the event that the Raiders need an emergency tackle.This probably doesn’t profile as anything more than a stopgap or depth signing, so in that regard, it would make sense.