Experts aren’t optimistic about Trevor Penning moving to right tackle for the Saints

In 2022, the New Orleans Saints used their first-round pick on offensive lineman Trevor Penning. The Saints drafted Penning with hopes that he’d become the franchise’s cornerstone left tackle. Unfortunately, just two years later, New Orleans used its first-round pick in the 2024 Draft on Taliese Fuaga, hoping the same thing the franchise hoped for Penning.

Obviously, this means things haven't worked out for Penning at left tackle. As a rookie, he only saw action in six games, starting just one. However, in year two, he entered the season as the starting left tackle, but was benched after struggling in the first five weeks.

Now, Penning is entering year three, at just 25 years old, hoping to prove he’s a starting-caliber lineman in the NFL. Although things didn’t go well the first two years, the Saints are giving him another chance. However, this chance comes on the other side of the offensive line.

With Fuaga now at left tackle, New Orleans has moved Penning to right tackle. This could benefit the Saints in a couple of ways. For starters, it gives Penning a fresh start, allowing him the chance to find the promise he had entering the NFL. Additionally, New Orleans could be without veteran right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who’s dealing with a knee issue. Penning would be the perfect replacement if he can deliver.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much optimism that he will deliver. David Kenyon, in a recent Bleacher Report piece, predicted every team’s biggest bust of the 2024 season. For the Saints, Penning was selected.

"Trevor Penning, a first-round selection in 2022, is running out of chances. New Orleans benched him relatively early last year, and he's shifted from left to right tackle this offseason. Penning absolutely could find himself on the roster bubble if he stumbles again in 2024."

- David Kenyon (Bleacher Report)

Trevor Penning predicted to be Saints biggest bust of 2024

Kenyon recapped Penning’s career in New Orleans and explained that the young offensive lineman is running out of opportunities. Kenyon went on to say that another underwhelming seson from Penning could result in him being on the roster bubble.

Unfortunately, everything that Kenyon said is right. The move to right tackle is simply a gamble, and no one knows how it’s going to play out. The team has had all good things to say about the transition, but it’s the offseason, and teams gas everything up in the offseason.

Truthfully, we won’t learn how Penning is performing at right tackle until it’s too late. What’s clear though, is New Orleans needs Penning to get things figured out just as much as he needs to. His career is on the line, but a lot of other jobs could be lost if the Saints don’t have a good offensive line.

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