2022 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints take Trevor Penning No.19 overall

The New Orleans Saints entered the first round with two picks in the top 32. They took Chris Olave at 11 and now select Trevor Penning at 19 to help jumpstart a new era of Saints football. 

The New Orleans Saints, as stated before, entered the 2022 NFL Draft with two first-round picks as a result of mortgaging the future. Additionally, they are back on the clock after taking Chris Olave with the 11th overall pick.

So that begs another question, who do you follow up with?

The NFC South can still be won despite Tampa Bay welcoming the un-retired Tom Brady back into the fold. Also, the Buccaneers have not beaten the Saints in the regular season for quite some time, although that postseason loss that sent Drew Brees to NBC still lingers.

But it’s not about Brees. It’s about the new era of football in the Big Easy. With Olave in the fold, the Saints take Trevor Penning with the 19th overall pick, hoping that Penning and Olave can be the duo that ushers in a new generation of proud gridiron play for the folks in Louisiana.

Trevor Penning brings a high motor and nastiness to the New Orleans Saints

If there is one word to describe Trevor Penning, it is nasty, and frankly, given what the Saints need at this point on their offensive line, he fits that criteria. In addition, he is a small school prospect who had to work his way up, which shows that work ethic will not be an issue.

As for the Saints, they play in a division where the pass rush is essential as well as offensive line play. Having someone like Penning who can make life that much more difficult for defenders can play to the strengths of the Saints’ offense, which historically speaking in the 21st century has been electric.

Olave and Penning are two quality players that the Saints should feel very fortunate to have on their roster. Sometimes, aggression leads to results, but time will tell if the aggression was worth the risk. For now, it looks good.