Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It’s finally time for the pads to go on on Airline Drive. The New Orleans Saints will kick off their first session of padded practices on Monday. That means the physicality will tick up, the intensity will be on high and the trenches and run game come into focus.
As head coach Kellen Moore highlighted on Sunday, there will be an adjustment period. But even within that, new information will be available. These three players may stand to benefit the most from the pads going on, and certainly deserve some attention on Monday.
Offensive Lineman Trevor Penning
As Penning moves into the interior for the first time in his career, the hope is that the shift will lead to a resurgence. First drafted to be the team’s left tackle, he moved to the right side last year, and now has a chance at left guard to stick in a contract year. That process begins with camp, and heightens with the pads going on.
Penning has struggled to stay upright in practices, often bested by athletic rushers. It will be interesting to see if more contact and physicality reduces that or multiplies it.
Bryan Bresee on what’s the next level for him after a 7.5 sack season
“I’ve just tried to continue to work on everything, bringing everything together. That’s gonna be a big thing for me this year.” pic.twitter.com/DBm4KZUGSq
— NOF (@nofnetwork) July 25, 2025
Defensive Lineman Bryan Bresee
Really, the entire defensive line comes into focus here. However, Bresee will be the emphasis today. He too is seeing changes to how he is deployed, now playing defensive end in the team’s odd-front defense. As an athletic and agile pass-rusher, this should only help the typical three-tech defensive tackle elevate his abilities as a rusher after leading the team in sacks with 7.5 last year.
Running Back Kendre Miller
Miller believes that he feels the best this offseason that he’s felt since going pro. Now, as the pads go on and contact ramps up, he’ll be out to the test. Should he pass it as expected, it should only further his chances to have the impact he’s been hoping to realize since being drafted in 2023.
