Fortner was traded to New Orleans in the Saunders deal, creating a center-depth shakeup for Jacksonville. His move clears a spot for the interior rotation but also tests the Jaguars' depth behind Hainsey as backup center options are deployed.

Fortner started 17 games in each of his first two seasons but did not start last year after Jacksonville added Morse and Hainsey. The trade sends him to New Orleans, where he’ll compete for interior line depth and potentially anchor the snap for a shifting Saints O-line.

Fortner moves to the Saints in the trade, bringing interior OL versatility and a potential anchor for New Orleans’ center/guard spots. His Jaguars tenure provided experience on inside protection and run-blocking schemes. The swap tees Fortner against Saunders’ departure, giving the Saints an upgrade at inside line play and providing Jacksonville with defensive stability.

Fortner, Jacksonville’s third-round pick in 2022, started every snap as a rookie and again in 2023 before being supplanted. Traded to New Orleans in this deal, his departure creates a center-rotation question for the Jaguars and reshapes the interior depth chart for both teams.

Fortner started at center for Jacksonville in 2022-23 and was part of the Jaguars’ interior rotation before the center position widened with Morse and Monheim. The trade to New Orleans clears a path on Jacksonville’s 53-man roster by moving a player who faced tougher odds after offseason center signings, while strengthening the Saints’ interior line with Saunders.