The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 NFL Draft with several needs, but it was a matter of how the board fell when it was time for that initial pick at no. 9 overall.
As New Orleans went on the clock, one prospect stood out over the others and would help the Saints build from the inside out: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
With Banks ending up being the selection, that should immediately slot him in at the other tackle position opposite Taliese Fuaga. The Saints have now gone offensive tackle in back-to-back first rounds, which might not be the sexy thing to do, but that's how you build a team.
One of the big questions after the Banks selection now, though, is what the team is planning to do with another former first-round pick. We've already seen them make some notable post-draft moves, but could another one be on the way and via trade?
Offensive tackle Trevor Penning looks like the odd man out after a slower start to his career than he would've liked, but where exactly does that leave him?
The Saints have a couple of options with Trevor Penning after the Kelvin Banks selection
It'll likely be Banks and Fuaga at tackle, of course, so that leaves Penning as an odd man out. Does he get an opportunity to slide in and compete at guard similar to how Mekhi Becton did under Kellen Moore in Philadelphia?
That's an option.
But, for any teams that might not feel great about their tackle positions, Penning could still be a potential trade target if New Orleans were to make him available. At this stage, getting a mild draft pick for Penning might be worthwhile rather than relegating him to the bench.
For right now, maybe the best route to go would be to keep him around and see how he handles the adversity. But, you can't help but wonder whether or not he should be available right now, especially if there are teams out there who might be panicking that they didn't come away with a tackle early on in the draft.
If Penning could somehow fetch a fourth-round pick, I would consider that a massive win. Now, that is probably less likely of course. So, a fifth rounder might have to suffice.
Do the Saints entertain any potential conversations for Penning? Saints fans would be more than happy to see him get a fresh start.