There are some key position battles ongoing for the New Orleans Saints this offseason even if there aren’t many in volume. STAR defender, center, wide receiver and kicker are among those most capable of being tracked through Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and while these conversations are far from over, there has already been some movement in the competitive landscapes.
Here is a look at each battle, the favorite and the other players that appear to be in consideration in the very early goings of the bouts.
STAR Defender
The favorite: Safety Jonas Sanker
Sanker began OTAs at the top of the rotation and held on to that positioning in the second week. Beyond that, a number of players and coaches have already begun to refer to the second-year safety synonymously with the position.
“[Sanker] has speed, he’s very athletic, and then most times he was really good in coverage for us last year,” defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph said.”All of those are the characteristics of a good STAR, and then, with his athleticism, his blitz capability is something that really piqued our interest a little bit.”
The safety has immediately jumped in at the top of the role and appears likely to hold on to it going into training camp late next month.
Competitors: Cornerbacks Jayden Price and Beanie Bishop, Safety Terrell Burgess
Backup Center
The favorite: Offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III
Simpkins played this role very well during the preseason last year, but spent his regular season practicing and taking snaps at guard instead. The Saints are rewarding the promise he showed at center early this offseason by allowing him the top spot in the backup rotation two weeks in a row.
Competitors: Offensive linemen William Sherman and Easton Kilty
Kicker
The favorite: Kicker Charlie Smyth
Smyth went 12-of-16 last season after becoming the starting kicker partway through the season. The Irishman had only been kicking in the American Football sense for about two and a half years at that point. He knocked through his debut attempt from 56 yards out, the second-longest debut field goal for a kicker in NFL history. While the media hasn’t gotten to see him kick yet this offseason (kickers alternate days in OTAs and camp and the media has been present for his off-days only thus far) it’s well known the promise and potential that come with Smyth’s leg. He’s the incumbent who has already held off competition going into the season.
Competitor: Kicker Mason Shipley
Wide Receiver Depth
The favorite: Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk
The Saints’ top five wideouts are likely set with young veterans Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele as the incumbents and the team’s trio of draft receivers leading the way. But a sixth spot could be earned. Polk was traded for during the offseason last year despite the Saints knowing he couldn’t take the field as he managed a shoulder injury. Now, he’s getting an opportunity to show what he can bring to the team after successfully completing his recovery.
Competitors: Wide receivers Damien Alford, Kevin Austin Jr., Ronnie Bell, Bub Means, Trey Palmer, Brock Rechsteiner and Mason Tipton
