There's no way around it: The Saints will be relying on young players at key spots in the 2025 season. The story of the season will hinge on whether they deliver when the time comes.
That's what made Wednesday an encouraging one for the Saints secondary and Kool-Aid McKinstry, with the second-year DB logging back-to-back PBUs during the final set of team drills, both snapped in a goal-to-go situation.
The first came on what looked like a hitch targeting Brandin Cooks. McKinstry headed off the route and stepped inside for what should've been a pick, but he was unable to hang on and slammed his fist repeatedly into the ground in frustration. On the next play he carried Cedrick Wilson Jr. up the seam and knocked the ball away in the back of the end zone. Both balls were thrown by Spencer Rattler.
DBs are at a bit of a disadvantage without pads, which is why you don't see a ton of PBUs in these settings. Timing throws are a lot easier to complete when the defender can't be physical. Still, we haven't seen many plays on the ball to this point, and Kool-Aid has been targeted a good bit. Teams will continue to do that until he proves he can hold up. Making plays like he did today will be critical.
I also think it's worth mentioning that we're seeing the Saints DBs operate a lot differently in Brandon Staley's zone-match scheme. There's a lot less press coverage and more zone looks, and so far Kool-Aid looks to have a good grasp on the different drops he'll be asked to execute.
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
There was only one new injury absence to note today, and that was safety Jonas Sanker. Head coach Kellen Moore described the injury as "minor" but otherwise wouldn't elaborate. There's plenty of time before the full camp, but that'll be something to watch.
We also didn't see Taysom Hill today after he was spotted looking on yesterday, but he's in attendance and working back from a knee injury.
QB BATTLE
This is something we'll detail every day, though I wouldn't say this was a particularly exciting day. I'm starting to get a bit concerned with the completion percentages, considering these are 7-on-7 drills and heavily stilted toward the offense.
Spencer Rattler went 10-16 while Tyler Shough went 9-15 on his 16 reps, with one scramble. I'll attribute a bit to the defense because they were making plays, and a majority of these throws came in a compressed field scenario as the offense went in to score.
I'd give the day to Rattler, though I don't know by how much. He did have the two most impressive throws of the day and continues to look the more steady hand. he hit Jack Stoll on a deep out for a 15-plus yard gain -- a nice catch by the TE -- and also hit Dante Pattis on what looked like a flag route for what would've been a TD.
It's worth mentioning that drills were going to a side of the field where we couldn't get a great angle, so it was difficult to verify the results with teammates crowded around.
Shough's best throws were a pair of crossing routes to Rashid Shaheed and Juwan Johnson, both of which found the receiver in stride for catch-and-run opportunities. Shough was also a bit more aggressive over the middle of the field today, something I've been looking for. I won't truly overreact to the completion percentage when he's pushing the envelope a bit.
CHARLIE'S GOT A CANNON
Watching Charlie Smyth today, I was reminded that the only reason I'm even considering the kicker role as a position battle is that he honestly looks to have a generational kicking leg.
We watched him kick today for the first time in OTAs, and you saw the part that makes it a conversation and also the part that'll be tough to overcome. He went 5-for-6 on the day with a make from 61 that crossed three quarters of the way up the uprights and would've probably been good from 70. We also saw him flirt with the edges on a few his makes -- he kicks it absurdly high from all distances -- and push the ball wide right from 49 yards.
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What's going to make things difficult for him is he's trying to beat out a guy in Blake Grupe who almost never misses in practice and also has the range to hit from 60-plus, as demonstrated on Tuesday.
I feel like I have to say this because it's easy to get lost in the daydreams of 70-yard field goals: The miss from 49 is a lot more damaging to his case than the easy make from 61 is helpful.
The ONLY way, at least in my opinion, that Charlie beats out Blake is to be at least as reliable from 50 and in. If that's the case, then we can call the distance the tiebreaker. One miss isn't changing a ton in the long run, but his margin in this competition is going to be narrow.
EXTRA REID POINTS
Justin Reid reminded us today that he's got kicker skills, too. After Smyth finished, Reid got in a few reps. He nailed a kick from PAT range, then had the distance from 44 but pushed it right. It was pretty impressive to watch.
It's worth mentioning that this isn't a one-off. In 2022 with the Chiefs, Reid filled in for an injured Harrison Butker and went 1-for-2 on PATs and even handled kickoffs, with one going for a touchback. It's a scenario that you hope you never land in, but it could also potentially save a game for you.
Davon Godchaux also got a kick, if you want to call it that. More like a bunt? To use my favorite golf term: It was a worm-burner.
No. 24 ... busy
Just an observation, but safety Terrell Burgess was involved a lot today. He's the other player the Saints signed after a tryout at rookie camp and is in No. 24. They clearly liked what they saw in that workout, so don't be surprised if he ends up sticking around.
DEPTH
Currently the CB depth chart seems to be:
- RCB: Kool-Aid McKinstry
- LCB: Isaac Yiadom
- Star: Alontae Taylor
Next up on the outside looks to be:
- RCB2: Quincy Riley/Rezjohn Wright
- LCB2: Rico Payton
- Star2: Ugo Amadi
We'll have to see how that gets adjusted throughout camp.