By Ross Jackson
After watching a second New Orleans Saints OTA practice, there are still no final answers to the team’s biggest questions, but valuable takeaways are beginning to emerge from the past two weeks on Airline Drive.
Here are some of the most important things we’ve learned.
The Quarterback Battle Is Going To Be Hotly Contested
Don’t expect either Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough to simply run away with the starting quarterback title. This is going to be a back and forth battle all offseason that will likely go into preseason action. Rattler started out strong, but Shough’s second practice in front of the media showed a lot of flashes of his top-end, big-armed potential.
Both options have what it takes to be a week one starter, but consistency and the finer details will be the decision maker for which signal caller gets the nod. Until that selection is made, get ready for an all-out battle between the two.
Brandon Staley’s Defense Is Fun And Unpredictable
The details will come to light once the team hits the field, but from what we’ve been able to see in practice, Staley’s changes on defense are a lot of fun to watch.
The unit plays with a lot of speed and aggression, even in a practice setting. The versatility of the players is brought to life by the scheme, which will deploy weapons from multiple alignments. Every player seemingly has numerous ways to contribute and make plays almost regardless of position designation.
Disguise, pressure, and aggressiveness look to be the name of the game for Staley and players like edge rusher Chase Young, cornerback Alontae Taylor, and others are thriving in the opportunities being provided.
The Saints Are Giving Themselves A Chance To Win Up Front
We won’t know everything about the offensive line until they are taking live snaps during the regular season due to lack of contact in practices, but once pads go on in training camp, things will at least heat up.
But what can be seen before any of that is that New Orleans is approaching its retooling of the offensive line wisely. Though four of the five same players from last season are currently still in the presumed starting lineup, three will be in new positions.
Trevor Penning moved inside to left guard, while rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. and second-year tackle Taliese Fuaga have been at their collegiate tackle positions on the left and right, respectively.
The Saints are keeping their top investments on the field in an attempt to mold the upper-echelon of talent on their roster. Former second-round pick Dillon Radunz is another that could eventually leap into a larger role due to rotation, jumbo line needs or injury, and he checks the box of malleable talent as well. New Orleans has not only bolstered its starting lineup, but it looks to have turned the depth talent up a notch.
Both of those areas of focus could allow the team to find success with their protection unit in 2025 under some skilled coaches and a player friendly and productive system implemented by head coach Kellen Moore.
Count Out The Wide Receiver Room At Your Own Risk
Sure, the Saints don’t have the most sizable wide receiver room, but that doesn’t bother the team one bit.
Veteran receiver Brandin Cooks challenged the narrative last week and Moore followed up with more clarity this week. The team is not bothered by lacking a player at the position of 6-foot-3 or above.
Bub Means Is Making Eye-Catching Progress
As one of the standouts of the second viewing portion of OTAs, Means caught our eye. The second-year wideout navigated injury throughout his rookie season but is back to 100% for maybe the first time in a Saints’ uniform.
His route-running has taken a noticeable step forward. His hands and concentration have been reliable and his speed is still there despite the ankle injury he struggled with last season.
New Orleans will need other wide receivers to step up and if Means can be one of them, that should pay some impressive dividends for the Saints.
Kool-Aid McKinstry Is Ready
Last year, McKinstry was thrust into a starting role due to attrition at the position. However, this season he gets to prepare as the team’s top cornerback and looks the part.
He’s a fundamentally sound, hard worker that relies on his technique but has the raw talent to fall back on. A physical player that can operate well in phase and has the speed to keep pace in the NFL. He’s looked strong in OTAs and should only get better when a pass rush is added to the equation.
What We’d Like To Learn
Some things are tough to see during this portion of the offseason before pads and more contact are allowed. Some things are also hard to evaluate without everyone present. Here are some of those elements we’ll be tracking later. There should be no concern that things aren’t being mentioned here now.
- The new rushing gameplan
- Rushing defense improvements
- Safety deployment
- Tackling consistency (will have to wait for the preseason and regular season for this one)
- Special teams coverage and return efficiency
- Punting battle (indoor facilities don’t offer much of a chance to punt)
