2022 NFL Draft: Grading Saints’ No. 19 pick of Trevor Penning

The New Orleans Saints added a receiver earlier in the 2022 NFL Draft in Chris Olave and addressed the offensive line with Trevor Penning at No. 19.

Coming into the 2022 NFL Draft, the Saints knew they wanted to address the offensive side of the ball. They had some picks to work with in the first round and actually made some trades, even moving up to select Chris Olave at No. 11 overall. They made this move after watching his teammate, Garrett Wilson, go at No. 10 overall to the Jets.

They knew they had to make a move in order to get a top-two receiver.

New Orleans also had the No. 19 pick in the first round and made another addition to the offensive side of the ball, this time addressing that offensive line. They scooped up Northern Iowa star Trevor Penning who dominated at the Senior Bowl and was one of the nastiest blockers in the draft despite playing at the FCS level.

There’s some doubt surrounding this pick because he played at a lower level but he played with a mean streak against guys from the FBS level during the Senior Bowl and I think he proved himself.

The Saints needed offensive line help and with Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal, and Kenyon Green off the board, Penning was the next best option.

I really like this pick, but I do think that he might have a longer adjustment period than some of the other linemen selected in the first round. But the Saints definitely nailed this pick.

Grade: A-