The New Orleans Saints wrapped up the 2025 preseason with a 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, led by familiar faces Sean Payton and Darren Rizzi.
The week’s standout player capped an extremely impressive preseason with another eye-opening performance. The breakout from the Saints’ preseason finale loss to the Broncos is OL Torricelli Simpkins III.
The UDFA out of South Carolina posted a 77.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (80.7 RBK and 67.1 PBK) after allowing just one hurry on 26
pass-blocking snaps against the Broncos. According to The 33rd Team, Simpkins’ 109 pass-protection snaps without allowing a sack were the most among rookie offensive linemen this preseason.
With starting LG Trevor Penning dealing with a turf toe injury and both Will Clapp and Nick Saldiveri on season-ending injured reserve, Simpkins couldn’t have thrived at a better time and may have even opened the door for the 23-year-old to potentially earn a starting role while Penning recovers.
I still think there’s a strong chance free-agent addition Dillon Radunz starts in Penning’s place until he returns, but Simpkins has made a name for himself and given the coaching staff a tough decision to make.
That said, it looks like New Orleans has found a gem in Torricelli Simpkins III, and if he continues to take advantage of this opportunity, the Saints may have just found a future starter with Penning hitting free agency this offseason after the team declined his fifth-year option.
Honorable Mentions:
- DE Jasheen Davis: The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon standout has had a strong training camp, and after missing the first two preseason games, he made his debut on Saturday and flashed the production he’s shown in practice. Davis finished with three total pressures, a sack and a stop, earning a 73.4 overall defensive grade from PFF.
- RB Devin Neal: The sixth-round pick out of Kansas made his preseason debut on Saturday, rushing for 20 yards on five attempts (4.0 yards per carry) and adding two receptions for 10 yards.
- OG Kyle Hergel: Last year’s UDFA out of Boston College posted an 82.4 overall grade from PFF (75.3 RBK and 83.4 PBK) without allowing a single pressure on 15 pass-blocking snaps. Hergel is another player who could compete with Radunz and Simpkins for the temporary starting spot at LG.
