A big position switch on the New Orleans Saints offensive line interior could pay big dividends, but there’s also a legitimate chance it winds up as a failed experiment.
After three seasons of bad to average results at offensive tackle, Trevor Penning is shifting to the inside in 2025 — a move both he and the Saints believe is natural and will be beneficial in the long run. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Penning will get an opportunity to prove whether he deserves a second deal with the Saints.
Joining Penning on the offensive interior are the Saints’ two longest-tenured offensive linemen in center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz, both of whom are coming off injury-plagued 2024 seasons (an unfortunate theme throughout the Saints offense).
If Penning clicks and everyone stays healthy — admittedly big ifs — the interior of the offensive line could wind up being the Saints’ greatest offensive strength this season.
Depth chart (Name, height, weight, NFL experience)
Center
Erik McCoy, 6-4, 303, 7
Will Clapp, 6-5, 314, 8
Guard
Cesar Ruiz, 6-4, 316, 6
Trevor Penning, 6-7, 325, 4
Dillon Radunz, 6-6, 301, 5
Nick Saldiveri, 6-6, 316, 3
Kyle Hergel, 6-2, 315, 2
Torricelli Simpkins III, 6-5, 312, R
Best case
Before getting to Penning and his ideal outcome, the true best case scenario for this Saints offensive line involves McCoy staying healthy for the entire season.
McCoy has shown he can be durable, playing at least 99 % of the team’s offensive snaps in three of his six professional seasons. But he has also battled injury in three of his last four campaigns, missing five games in 2021, four in 2022 and a career-high 10 last season.
Considering what the Saints are operating with at quarterback this season, it would be extremely beneficial to have McCoy on the field. Not only has he played at a Pro Bowl level when he’s been on the field (he was Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center last season before his injury), but McCoy’s experience and leadership would take a big burden off a young quarterback in terms of identifying pressures and calling out protections.
New Orleans was undoubtedly better when McCoy was on the field last year — in the five games he played at least 65 % of the snaps, the Saints went 4-1 and scored 35 points or more three times. That’s obviously not all on him, but he plays an integral part in the offense.
But McCoy is a known commodity — and, to a lesser degree, so is Ruiz. The big question mark is Penning.
He flamed out at left tackle. The Saints moved him to the right side last year, where he gave them solid but not overwhelmingly good play. Now the new coaching staff — a group that includes new offensive line coach Brendan Nugent — is going to give him a long look at left guard.
In theory, the move makes sense. At his best, Penning is an aggressive, mauling run blocker who has the strength to dominate at the point of attack. At his worst, his pass protecting technique has fallen apart when he’s asked to be in space. By moving him to guard, the Saints are accentuating his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses.
Essentially, the Saints are asking a 6-foot-7, 325-pounder to play in a phone booth, which should be beneficial. He will have to prove he can handle some of the premier defensive tackles who play in the division — players like Tampa’s Vita Vea and Carolina’s Derrick Brown — but he will at least not have to do so on an island.
There is a decent chance that guard is Penning’s natural position, and that he finally delivers on the promise that made the Saints select him 19th overall in 2022. The physical ability has never been a question, and if the lightbulb clicks on, New Orleans may be positioned to have an above average offensive line across the board in 2025 — which should raise the floor for the offense as a whole.
Worst case
If McCoy can’t stay on the field, that could trigger a pretty rough domino effect for the Saints offense.
New Orleans signed old friend Will Clapp this offseason for depth along the offensive interior — Clapp can play three positions — but there’s a big gap between Clapp, who played just 67 offensive snaps last year for Buffalo — and McCoy.
McCoy impacts every phase of the Saints offense, and there’s only going to be more on his plate this year with an inexperienced quarterback lining up behind him. If he deals with injury again this year, it will be difficult for the Saints to navigate his loss even with the talent around him.
And Penning is a gamble, even with veteran Dillon Radunz ready to take his spot if he struggles. The fact of the matter is that Penning is just an idea at guard right now, and even if it makes sense logically, it really may not practically. His technique issues may be just as pronounced inside as they were outside, and if there’s one thing that can turn an otherwise good passing play into a disaster, it’s interior pressure.
This should be an improved unit in 2025, but it’s no slam dunk.
A prediction in 10 words or less.
Penning plays well enough to merit a modest extension.