The vision didn’t get any clearer for New Orleans Saints first round pick, Kelvin Banks. One of the biggest questions around him and the Saints offense is where would Banks play. The answer at the moment is everywhere.
Rookie minicamp was open to the media Saturday. During practice, Banks aligned at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. Basically, everything is on the table.
This was a benchmark where we could get an idea of the plan for Banks. Instead, we walk away with the same level of speculation and uncertainty.
One thing it does tell you is the Saints didn’t draft Banks with a concrete vision. It appears they’re going to see what he’s best at and play him there. Banks started Saturday at left tackle, his natural position, before moving around. Kellen Moore said the team will “narrow that focus as we go through this process.”
Where do Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning fit?
The broad, open approach works with just rookies present, but where does he play when Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning are present? Rookie minicamp could be viewed as a time to gather information to be able to answer that question. When minicamp begins, Banks will still play multiple positions, but attention will be placed on where he plays with the first team.
It’s hard to imagine Banks not starting Day 1, but it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint where he will play. The Saints have players they could lean on at every position for the upcoming season. The pivot point is Trevor Penning.
New Orleans assumedly drafted Banks to be a tackle, and it’s Penning’s job during the offseason to put a halt to that for at least another year. Fuaga is safe. He’s just waiting for direction on which side he’ll play, but he’s going to be a tackle in 2025. Penning is playing for his job.
At the least, the Saints seem willing to play Penning at right tackle. If they weren’t, cross-training Banks wouldn’t be an option. You can’t call Penning versus Banks a battle yet, but they do seemed destined to be pit against each other even if it’s just in the coach’s office. Their usage in 2025 directly impact each other.
For my money, Banks is the player who deserves precedence. Make the call that is best for him then fit the offensive line around him. The Saints have the players to take that route comfortably.