Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With OTAs and mandatory minicamp wrapped up for the New Orleans Saints, it’s time to look at who the biggest winners of the process were.
There are still a lot of decisions to be made, including that starting quarterback, but some players did a lot to advance themselves in competitions, saw new opportunities arise or benefited from the shaping of their group around them.
Here are three winners from the Saints’ offseason programs.
OL Trevor Penning
Penning may be the biggest winner of the offseason. He has a new and unimpeded (at least right now) path to remaining in the starting lineup ahead of a contract year, even though the team has reinvested at his initial position in each of the last two seasons.
The Saints clearly see value in Penning’s ability and play style and have therefore opened a chance for him to pan out at left guard. So far, the position shift is working out. More to be learned during training camp and the preseason, of course. But a good start for the fourth-year lineman.
EDGE Chase Young
After signing a new three-year deal with New Orleans, further investments at the edge rusher position present no threat to Young as the top pressure player for the team.
Beyond Chase, the Saints signed Chris Rumph II to a veteran deal, drafted Fadil Diggs in the seventh round of the draft, and added Jasheen Davis as an undrafted free agent. None of which present a challenge to Young as the production leader alongside Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan at the position.
Even the new defensive scheme benefits Young. It was a very positive offseason for the defender.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
There was no battle for McKinstry to win, but you wouldn’t guess that watching his play over the last few months.
The second-year cornerback performed extremely well throughout OTAs and minicamp and looks to have solidified his role as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. McKinstry had perhaps the most impressive offseason on the team.
