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How much more valuable are LTs than RTs in 2024?

Posted on 4/22/24 at 8:53 pm
Posted by Hot Carl
Prayers up for 3
Member since Dec 2005
59021 posts
Posted on 4/22/24 at 8:53 pm
LTs have always been the most valuable because they protect the blind side of pocket-passing RH QBs. But with the influx of athleticism at QB, a lot more plays are rolling out of the pocket to their arm side (right) of the field, more RPOs go to the arm side, and, to use the parlance of our times, when they go off platform, they tend to drift toward their arm side. And with more guys going out of the shotgun, they're not turning their backs as much on 5 or 7 step drops.

And edge rushers play differently now. They're not mainly 4-3 DEs that line up with their hand in the dirt on the same side of the line most plays. They're more athletic guys like Garrett or Parsons who line up standing on the LOS and can move around from the left to right side edge to show different looks and take advantage of weaker tackles.

And teams run the ball to the right side a lot these days. It's kind of a chicken/egg thing, I get it. Are the running to the right side because RTs are typically less athletic and better at run-blocking with the more athletic LT being able to get out and pull to the right side or are they putting the more physical guy (and maybe better overall tackle) on the right side and then just running behind him?

I may be wrong, and I haven't heard any experts suggest this, but it seems to me, that with how the game has changed--mainly with more athletic and right-handed QBs--that protecting their blind side isn't as important as it once was when most of the league had pocket passers for QBs. I think we might be at the point where we take the better player, regardless of if he projects as a RT or LT, because I'm not sure the difference in value is nearly as much as it was a decade or even 5 years ago.

Granted, Carr is a more traditional pocket passer, so he'd probably be better off with the LT. But he's only gonna be here another 2 years, and we hope we're getting a tackle at 14 that plays a decade plus. I don't know. Thoughts?
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166242 posts
Posted on 4/22/24 at 9:02 pm to
They are both equal important. If you have a weak link, it will be exploited.
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
29999 posts
Posted on 4/22/24 at 9:03 pm to
quote:

How much more valuable are LTs than RTs in 2024?


it all depends if your QB is a lefty or a righty

your blind side protector is the most critical
Posted by LooseCannon22282
Mobile
Member since May 2008
33741 posts
Posted on 4/22/24 at 9:08 pm to
I think with the Saints going more to a play action offense it will only help Carr even more. He was more successful last season off play action.

also guard play can be just as important than tackles. You get heat right up the middle, and it doesn't matter if the tackles are giving you room to step up.
This post was edited on 4/23/24 at 6:46 am
Posted by SlowFlowPro
Simple Solutions to Complex Probs
Member since Jan 2004
422393 posts
Posted on 4/23/24 at 7:12 am to
About 10 years ago defenses realized they could exploit RTs by putting the premier edge there. The "blind side" stuff wasn't as valuable as thought in the past.

Teams also value pressures more than sacks, over the long haul, so that hope for the big play off the "blind side" decreased in value for that reason, too.
Posted by saints5021
Louisiana
Member since Jul 2010
17472 posts
Posted on 4/23/24 at 8:42 am to
Carr is not an athletic runner, so for the time being, LT is way more important for us. Hell, you saw how bad it was with Penning where Carr was getting destroyed from the left side the first few weeks.
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