The first day of New Orleans Saints organized team activities open to the media featured two predictable, but major, changes on the offensive line. Kellen Moore moved Taliese Fuaga to right tackle and Trevor Penning to left guard.
This is a move that was expected after the Saints picked Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round, and the change was debuted on Thursday. Trevor Penning hasn't commented on his move from right tackle to left guard, but Moore and Fuaga don't view the changes as a big deal.
Kellen Moore on Taliese Fuaga's response to the move
That's it. When Moore told Fuaga they wanted him to flip sides, the offensive tackle kept his response short and sweet. This response makes sense from Fuaga. As far as positional changes go, this is one of the easier transitions you'll see.
Some players struggle to flip from one side of the line of scrimmage to the other, but Fuaga shouldn't have this challenge. That was an obstacle he had to overcome as a rookie. This year he's flipping back to his natural position, right tackle. In this situation, specifically, this is less of a change and more of a return to normal for Fuaga.
Moore thinks, in general, moving from left tackle to right tackle, or vice versa, is overblown. "I don't really care about left tackle, right tackle components in this league," Moore told roporters. "Sometimes I think we make a bigger deal out of it than it really is." Fuaga's success at left tackle backs up Moore's claim. He was one of the best rookie offensive linemen despite changing positions.
Fuaga thinks Trevor Penning will excel at guard
This isn't the first time Penning changed positions. The Saints moved him to right tackle after drafting Fuaga in 2024. This year the Saints drafted Kelvin Banks Jr. and displaced Penning again. This time Penning is trying his hand at guard.
Fuaga believes Penning will fare well in his new position. After practice, Fuaga commented on Penning's switch to guard. "I think it's pretty cool because he’s a really explosive dude ,if you guys really watch his game, and especially out of a three-point stance. I think he’s a bully when it comes to that stuff."
Penning's aggression is arguably his defining trait. Moving to guard will give him the chance to operate in a phone booth. Those tight quarters mixed with his explosiveness and aggression gives him a chance to succeed. First, he has to beat out Dillon Radunz for the job.