Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line
At Thursday's OTA session with the Saints, Penning spent the majority of the day at left guard. This was a new position for him after spending the first three years of his career at either left or right tackle. Rookie first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. took most of the reps at left tackle, while 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga was at right tackle.
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Penning, 26, was the 19th overall choice in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Northern Iowa. He looked to be the probable opening day starter at left tackle as a rookie before a foot injury in the preseason finale.
The injury kept Penning out for the first 11 games of the 2022 season. Once healthy in Week 12, Penning played just 66 offensive snaps as an extra lineman for five games. He'd get his first career start, at left tackle, in the season finale against Carolina.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) rushes against New Orleans Saints tackle Trevor Penning (70). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
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Penning did open up the 2023 season as the starter at left tackle. He struggled mightily, leading to him being benched by the sixth game. Over the final 11 weeks, Penning played a total of only 13 snaps as an offensive reserve.
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Penning's struggles caused the Saints to use their first-round choice in the 2024 NFL Draft on Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga. Despite being a 1st Team All-American at right tackle for the Beavers, New Orleans moved Fuaga to left tackle. In turn, Penning moved to right tackle after playing the left side in college and with the Saints.
At right tackle, Penning had the best showing of his short career. He started all 17 contests, playing 99% of the offensive snaps. Fuaga had an outstanding year on the left side, also starting all 17 games and looking like a potential perennial Pro Bowler.
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Penning was especially strong as a run blocker. However, his pass protection remained extremely erratic and he still struggled with blocks in space. New head coach Kellen Moore claimed that he would focus on improving the Saints in the trenches, something they'd immediately address in the draft.
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New Orleans spent a first-round choice on an offensive tackle for the second straight year and third time in four years, using the ninth overall pick on Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time All-American, and the 2024 Outland Trophy Award winner with the Longhorns.
Kelvin Banks was a left tackle throughout his collegiate career. This left many to speculate about the potential shuffling on a Saints offensive front that has not played well in recent seasons.
To open up OTA's, New Orleans had Banks at his natural left tackle spot while flipping Fuaga back to his college position of right tackle. This left Penning facing a third position change in four years.
The Saints are expected to experiment with several offensive line combinations through minicamp and training camp. However, it's noteworthy that the Saints have selected a natural right and left tackle in the last two drafts but did not bring in a definitive answer at left guard.
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning (70) leads a running play against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Could Penning Be That Answer?
It wouldn't be unprecedented. Remember that Andrus Peat, a first-round pick in 2015, was unable to be the answer at either left tackle or right tackle. Once moved to guard, Peat made three Pro Bowls and was one of the better interior run blockers in the NFL.
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This doesn't mean that Penning will have the same result. However, an inside spot would limit his exposure in space, where he's been repeatedly victimized by more athletic defenders. Penning's physical abilities as a run blocker would also be more useful at a guard spot where the Saints have had a rotating door of players in recent seasons.
Related: Most Underrated Saints Player Highlighted By PFF
Related: Marcus Yarns Named As Undrafted Rookie To Watch Closest For Saints
Related: Undrafted Edge Jasheen Davis Could Add Speed That's Lacked In Saints Pass Rush
Related: New Orleans Saints 2025-26 NFL Schedule Breakdown
Related: Rutgers Linebacker Tyreem Powell May Be An Undrafted Gem For Saints Defense
Related: Undrafted Chris Tyree Has Skills To Become Another Of The Saints Overlooked Gems
Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense
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