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6 days ago
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Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line
New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning could be facing his third position in four NFL seasons. 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. Advertisement 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 Courtesy of Walmart 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints Draft Picks Get Initial Jersey Numbers
The New Orleans Saints selected nine new players in the 2025 NFL Draft, concluded less than two weeks ago. On Wednesday, the Saints team website had all nine draft choices with a uniform number for the first time. Additionally, the uniform numbers of the team's offseason additions, along with a few veteran changes, were also included. 71 = Kelvin Banks Jr., OT (1st round) Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33). Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Banks will wear the number last worn by recently retired OT Ryan Ramczyk, a first-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ramczyk had a decorated career of his own and will someday be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Advertisement Banks, who wore number 71 with the Texas Longhorns, certainly has big shoes to fill. He's also a three-time All-Conference selection, two-time All-American, and the 2024 Outland Trophy Award winner. 6 = Tyler Shough, QB (2nd round) Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough (9) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead, a fan favorite, openly gave permission for Shough to wear his number 6. The number was last worn by LB Willie Gay Jr. last season. If he wears number 6 into the regular season, Shough will become the first offensive player in Saints franchise history to don the jersey. Shough was the third quarterback selected in this year's draft. During his collegiate career, he wore number 12 at Oregon and Texas Tech and number 9 at Louisville. 91 = Vernon Broughton, DT (3rd round) Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) celebrates a quarterback sack against the Ohio State Buckeyes. © Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Defensive lineman Kendal Vickers last wore 91 for New Orleans last season. Most famously worn by Saints Hall of Fame DE Will Smith, 91 has been worn by five different New Orleans players since 2021. Advertisement Broughton wore number 45 during his Texas Longhorns career. The last notable Saint to wear 91 was DE Trey Hendrickson, from 2017 to 2020. 33 = Jonas Sanker, S (3rd round) Virginia Cavaliers safety Jonas Sanker (20) returns an interception against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Running back Jordan Mims was the last to wear 33 for the Saints, donning it last season. The most notable New Orleans player to sport 33 was Tyrone Hughes, a Saints Hall of Fame kick returner and defensive back. Through his collegiate career with the Virginia Cavaliers, Sanker wore number 20. The last defensive back to wear 33 for the Saints was Saquon Hampton in 2019. 47 = Danny Stutsman, LB (4th round) Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) celebrates a play against the Texas Longhorn. © SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Linebacker Alex Anzalone was the last New Orleans player to wear 47 during a regular season game. Anzalone played for the Saints from 2017 to 2020. Advertisement Stutsman wore number 28 for all four years with the Oklahoma Sooners. If he wears 47 into the regular season, Stutsman would become just the third defensive player to wear that number for the Saints since 1993. 29 = Quincy Riley, CB (4th round) Louisville Cardinals defensive back Quincy Riley (3). Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images New Orleans wasted no time in handing over 29 to another player. Cornerback Paulson Adebo wore the number during his Saints career from 2021 to 2024. After departing as a free agent this offseason, 29 now gets passed to Riley. Outside of Adebo, the only other notable New Orleans players to wear 29 were running backs Chris Ivory and Khiry Robinson. Riley wore number 3 for three years with the Louisville Cardinals. Prior to that, he sported number 4 with the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. 30 = Devin Neal, RB (6th round) Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs against the Baylor Bears. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Safety Roderic Teamer last wore 30 for the Saints last season. Running backs Fred McAfee (2006) and Wayne Wilson (1979-1986) were the two most notable players to wear 30 for the Saints. Advertisement Neal wore number 4 during his four-year career with the Kansas Jayhawks. There hasn't been a New Orleans player to wear 30 for more than one year since running back Lynell Hamilton in 2008 and 2009. 80 = Moliki Matavao, TE (7th round) UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao (88) catches a pass against the Oregon Ducks. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images The most famous 80 in New Orleans history was TE Jimmy Graham, who wore it from 2010 to 2014 then got it back when he returned in 2023. Wideouts Jerome Pathon, Wesley Carroll, and Brett Perryman also made contributions under number 80 in team history. Matavao started his collegiate career wearing number 8 at Oregon. After transferring to UCLA, he's sported 88 for two years. Saints fans can only hope that the athletic Matavao has even close to the same success Graham's 80 had for the offense. 40 = Fadil Diggs, Edge (7th round) Texas A&M defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) during a against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. © Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK One of the most famous plays in Saints franchise history was made by a 40, when FB Brian Milne recovered a fumble against the Rams to preserve the team's first ever playoff win. Cornerback Delvin Breaux, wearing number 40, also had a standout two seasons for the Saints in 2014 and 2015. Advertisement Diggs wore number 10 throughout his college career at both Texas A&M and Syracuse. He'll be the first to wear 40 since LB Chase Hansen did it in 2022. Uniform Numbers for Saints Offseason Additions Dec 18, 2016; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 10 = Brandin Cooks, WR 13 = Velus Jones, RB/WR 21 = Justin Reid, S 54 = Jonah Williams, DE 74 = Dillon Radunz, G 88 = Jack Stoll, TE 91 = Davon Godchaux, DT 98 = Chris Rumph II, DE It's also worth noting that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler is currently listed as number 2 on the Saints website. Rattler wore number 18 as a rookie last season. Cooks gets the number 10 back that he wore when starting his career with New Orleans from 2014 to 2016. Advertisement Related: Saints Draft Pick Tyler Shough Among Favorites For 2025 NFL Rookie Of The Year Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense Related: Third-Round Choice Vernon Broughton May Be Just What The Saints Needed For Their Defense Related: Syracuse Draft Choice Fadil Diggs May Fill A Critical Role For The Saints Related: What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense Related: How Louisville Draft Pick Quincy Riley Fills A Saints Need
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints Sign Six Draft Picks To Contracts
The New Orleans Saints are working quickly to get all of their 2025 draft choices under contract. On Thursday afternoon, the Saints signed first-round choice Kelvin Banks Jr. to his four-year rookie deal. By the end of that day, six of the nine New Orleans draft picks were under contract. Advertisement • Kelvin Banks Jr. (1st round) • Danny Stutsman (4th round) • Quincy Riley (4th round) • Delvin Neal (6th round) • Moliki Matavao (7th round) • Fadil Diggs (7th round) All the draft picks were signed to standard four-year rookie deals. As a first-round choice, the Saints will have a fifth-year option avaliable for Banks. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT (Texas) Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) blocks against the Clemson Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Banks was the ninth overall choice. He is the highest pick the Saints have made since selecting USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis seventh overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. The third offensive lineman off the board, Banks was a two-time All-American and won both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award this past season. Advertisement Banks was a left tackle throughout his career with the Longhorns. If he wins that role with New Orleans, it means that 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga moves back to his collegiate position of right tackle. Danny Stutsman, LB (Oklahoma) Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28). Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images The first of two fourth-round selections by the Saints, Stutsman was a two-time all-conference selection and 2024 All-American. He averaged nearly 113 tackles per year over his last three seasons, including 35 stops for loss. Stutsman is a physical downhill linebacker that's outstanding against the run. He's a prototype for the middle of the second level in coordinator Brandon Staley's defense and could be an eventual successor to Demario Davis. Quincy Riley, CB (Louisville) Louisville Cardinals defensive back Quincy Riley (3) breaks up a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Riley was the second of the Saints fourth-rounders. He's a two-time all-conference selection with 8 interceptions over the last three years and 25 passes broken up in the last two campaigns. Advertisement New Orleans lost cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Riley could be a candidate to start alongside CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, a second-round choice last year. Doing so would allow the Saints to play Alontae Taylor around their formations. Devin Neal, RB (Kansas) Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images In a deep class at running back, Neal slipped into the latter portion of Day 3. At pick number 184, he was the 17th running back selected. Neal had 4,343 rushing yards in four years with the Jayhawks. He averaged 1,212 rushing yards over his last three seasons and scored 53 touchdowns during his collegiate career. A rugged runner, Neal could be a draft steal and provide a much-needed backfield complement to Alvin Kamara. Moliki Matavao, TE (UCLA) UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao (88) runs after a reception against the Washington State Cougars. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The first of two seventh-round choices by New Orleans, Matavao led the Bruins in both receptions (41) and receiving yardage (506) last season. He was the first tight end to be drafted by the Saints since Adam Trautman in 2020. Advertisement Matavao is a big target but fluid athlete. He has a lot to clean up in his game, but has the raw receiving skills to earn a roster spot and potentially be a late-round gem. Fadil Diggs, Edge (Syracuse) Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) makes a tackle on Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Stephen Gosnell (12). Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images New Orleans made Diggs their second choice in the seventh round. He was number 254 overall, just the fourth from last selection in the draft. After four improving years at Texas A&M, Diggs finished his career with a strong campaign at Syracuse. He had 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, leading the Orange in both categories. Unsigned Draft Picks Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough (9) looks to pass against the Pitt Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images • QB - Tyler Shough, Louisville (2nd round) • DT - Vernon Broughton, Texas (3rd round) Advertisement • S - Jonas Sanker, Virginia (3rd round) Shough is just the second quarterback to be drafted in the first or second round in the Saints' 58-year history. All eyes will be paying close watch on how quickly Shough gets into camp for his quarterback competition with Spencer Rattler. Related: New Orleans Saints Undrafted Rookies Assigned Initial Jersey Numbers Related: New Orleans Saints Draft Picks Get Initial Jersey Numbers Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense Related: Why The Saints Targeted Oklahoma Linebacker Danny Stutsman In The Draft Related: How Louisville Draft Pick Quincy Riley Fills A Saints Need Related: What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense Related: What UCLA Draft Pick Moliki Matavao Adds To The Saints Related: Syracuse Draft Choice Fadil Diggs May Fill A Critical Role For The Saints
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NFL Draft: Saints pass on Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and other QBs for Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
The New Orleans Saints came into the NFL Draft with plenty of questions at quarterback. They didn't answer any of them with the ninth overall pick. With Derek Carr's availability for the 2025 season up in the air due to a reported shoulder injury and possible surgery, the Saints were a prime candidate to take a quarterback. It's telling that they had their pick of any quarterback in the draft class other than Cam Ward, and passed. The Saints instead picked Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth pick. That wasn't good news for Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart, who were considered candidates to go in that spot. That meant both of them had to worry about a long wait to hear their names called. But clearly the Saints didn't believe in either as a future franchise quarterback. The Saints didn't come into the draft with many options for this season if Carr isn't their Week 1 starter. There's still a chance to pick a quarterback later in the draft, but it's hard to rely on any rookie to start right away, much less one taken outside of the top half of the first round. Spencer Rattler could be this season's starter if needed. Perhaps the Saints have their eye on the 2026 quarterback class, which is supposed to be better and might include Arch Manning, who grew up in New Orleans. For a couple of weeks leading up to the draft, the Saints seemed like a good bet to pick a quarterback ninth overall. They took an offensive lineman to protect whoever their 2025 quarterback is instead. That might help whoever does end up being the Saints' choice as their quarterback of the future.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NFL Draft: Saints pass on Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and other QBs for Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
The New Orleans Saints came into the NFL Draft with plenty of questions at quarterback. They didn't answer any of them with the ninth overall pick. With Derek Carr's availability for the 2025 season up in the air due to a reported shoulder injury and possible surgery, the Saints were a prime candidate to take a quarterback. It's telling that they had their pick of any quarterback in the draft class other than Cam Ward, and passed. The Saints instead picked Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth pick. That wasn't good news for Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart, who were considered candidates to go in that spot. That meant both of them had to worry about a long wait to hear their names called. But clearly the Saints didn't believe in either as a future franchise quarterback. The Saints didn't come into the draft with many options for this season if Carr isn't their Week 1 starter. There's still a chance to pick a quarterback later in the draft, but it's hard to rely on any rookie to start right away, much less one taken outside of the top half of the first round. Spencer Rattler could be this season's starter if needed. Perhaps the Saints have their eye on the 2026 quarterback class, which is supposed to be better and might include Arch Manning, who grew up in New Orleans. For a couple of weeks leading up to the draft, the Saints seemed like a good bet to pick a quarterback ninth overall. They took an offensive lineman to protect whoever their 2025 quarterback is instead. That might help whoever does end up being the Saints' choice as their quarterback of the future.
