By Ross Jackson
New Orleans, La. – The New Orleans Saints began their OTAs this week, and the media was in attendance Thursday for day No. 3 of the schedule.
We were able to see some 7-on-7s, special teams drills, individual drills and more. Here are the key observations and takeaways from the day.
Offensive Line Shuffle
The Saints’ offensive line got a shakeup going into OTAs. On Thursday, the Saints deployed the following line for the day:
Kelvin Banks Jr. – LT
Trevor Penning – LG
Erik McCoy – C
Cesar Ruiz – RG
Taliese Fuaga – RT
Trevor Penning was at left guard today, Kellen Moore said that they’ve seen him play tackle, now getting a look at him on the interior.
Said the transition is happening earlier for Penning than it did for Mekhi Becton and the Eagles last year.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) May 22, 2025
Last season, Fuaga and Penning manned the tackle positions (left and right respectively) for the full 17-game schedule. This year, it looks like things might be changing.
Keeping Banks at his collegiate position at left tackle makes a ton of sense. The Saints invested a top-10 selection in the unanimous All-American, so moving him inside would have been a curious decision. Meanwhile, Fuaga gets to return to his collegiate preposition of right tackle while Penning again changes positions. That is, if this sticks.
If nothing else, it’s a new look for now, and one that could prove to be a beneficial shuffle.
Quarterbacks Each Land Highlights
Quarterback Spencer Rattler looked to have the strongest day overall completing all eight of his attempts in 7-on-7 drills. His ball placement, anticipation and decision-making all looked to be sharp and on point. It’s clear that, despite a new offensive system, Rattler’s additional year of experience has made him very comfortable operating the offense.
Rattler’s highlight play was a big completion to the middle of the field as tight end Michael Jacobson ran a post route. The ball had to be placed between a pair of closing defenders with enough air to clear a linebacker underneath the throw. Jacobson was able to catch and run with the intermediate-level pass.
Shough looked a little more hesitant as he dropped back, surveyed the field and delivered his passing attempts. He completed six or seven of his eight attempts with some conflict over whether or not one pass was caught as the pass-catcher went to the ground to snag it.
While the rookie looked to move a little slower than Rattler (again, a difference of the experience), he had the highlight play with a great pump-and-go to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed down the right sideline on a slant/go (sluggo) pattern. The pass was delivered perfectly downfield and likely would have been a touchdown for the speedy wideout.
Attendance
While quarterback Derek Carr and offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk are still listed on the roster, their retirements are set to be posted in the coming weeks, following June 1. So they were, of course, not present.
The genuinely rostered players that were not in attendance were tight end Taysom Hill, safety Tyrann Matheiu, running back Alvin Kamara, safety J.T. Gray, linebacker D’Marco Jackson, linebacker Demario Davis, defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, defensive tackle Nathan Sheapher and edge rusher Chase Young.
Remember, OTAs are voluntary.
Kellen Moore Delivered Early Injury Updates
Kellen Moore highlights:
– Praises Ted Rath and sports performance team.
– Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau won’t be a part of OTAs with coming off of knee injuries.
– Jake Haener, Quincy Riley and Dallin Holker dealing with more minor things that will keep them out of OTAs.— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) May 22, 2025
Following practice, Moore said that Hill and Moreau will have longer recovery times that will keep them out for OTAs.
He also named three additional players that are not currently participating in the offseason while recovering from more minor injuries. Quarterback Jake Haener, rookie cornerback Quincy Riley, and tight end Dallin Holker are all dealing with ailments that will sideline them for now. Haener is expected to miss OTAs as he manages a strained oblique suffered during Wednesday’s practice.
Defensive Versatility On Display
While the Saints worked with their new defensive scheme, several players moved around and rotated for a variety of roles. Defensive tackles Khalen Saunders and Vernon Broughton worked with some first-team nose tackle reps among other responsibilities. Cornerback Alontae Taylor did his usual moving around as well, still getting snaps in the slot as well.
Linebacker Pete Werner wore the communication device while Davis was not present. He worked alongside linebackers Danny Stutsman and Nephi Sewell most often.
Charlie Smyth Kicks
Smyth was given four field goal attempts and all four were good.
Distances: extra point, 36-right, 39-left, 42-right and 45 down the middle.
The Vibes Were Great
This isn’t an on-field observation, but more of a general one. Between the on-field work, locker room and facility as a whole, the vibes were excellent throughout. At times last season, particularly before former head coach Dennis Allen was fired, things would feel quite bleak: not a lot of jovial interactions, joking about and other signs of a negative environment. Now, a seven-game losing streak probably had a lot to do with it.
But this time around, as veterans and rookies were working together, there was a much more conducive atmosphere throughout the day.
One player expressed that things have taken a step “in the right direction.”
