Cousin Toofy, We might can mitigate that Thornton bad pick with a bad pick the Saints did the same Draft. LT Trevor Penning was an amazing athlete (mean and under 5.0 40) at 6'7" and 325lbs at a small school and Drafted #19 by the Saints. After looking good in pre season he had an injury , now recovered he is still on a downward spiral.
Upgrading the Saints WR position is a priority for them. What if a change of scenery helps both players if we even swap Thornton for Penning?
"If Trevor Penning hasn’t been issued a failing grade during his time with the New Orleans Saints, a solid “incomplete” would be sufficient.
The Saints spent their 2022 first round pick (19th overall) on the hulking offensive line out of Northern Iowa. Penning was the highest rated tackle in the FCS with an over 6-foot-7 frame at 325 pounds. He turned in a 4.89 time in the 40 while flashing elite athleticism and strength.
His rookie season was derailed before it began. Penning tore a ligament in his left big toe in a preseason game against the Chargers just 10 snaps into the contest. The injury required surgery. Penning returned November 16 against Carolina, but suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, meaning he would be back to full health until June.
The 2023 season began with great hope as essentially Penning’s redshirt rookie season but the massive prospect was benched after five regular season games. His struggles at left tackle were immense"
But his Teammate Spencer Brown on the Bills took three years before the light turned on.
"For those not familiar with him, Brown was Penning’s former teammate at Northern Iowa and played right tackle.
The 6-foot-8, 310-pound Brown was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the ’21 NFL Draft. He struggled mightily during his first two seasons, seemingly overmatched at times.
However, a light clicked on and he made a quantum leap in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, Brown graded out as the eighth best among NFL tackles in run blocking and sits 19th in pass blocking."
Small school issues? See Cole Strange
I would do that swap if the Saints would consider trying to fix Thornton.
Thoughts?
DW Toys