The New Orleans Saints looked like they were done in the 2020 NFL Draft after taking their full three-day trade-off values all day to take a tight end to Dayton’s Adam Trautman. But in a move that has forever become the name of New Orleans, they traded back in the seventh round to steal Mississippi State (and formerly Penn State) quarterback Tommy Stevens.
Just a week ago, Stevens underwent a number and position change. From quarterback dawning the number one to tight end with number 85 on the Saints’ official roster. Since then, he has received similar attention to what New Orleans fans are accustomed to seeing from a regular Taysom Hill season.
Sainst head coach Sean Payton mentioned that Stevens got snaps at the Y-position, while also giving him some work at the F. Essentially, that means Stevens gets reps at both tight ends and at fullback (see image in sidebar), with some nuances in between. Much like a Taysom Hill role, which is consistent with comments Payton made about him following the concept.
Looking at Taysom’s 2019, he set up in-line (true-Y) 85 times and in the backfield 22 times. However, the F position in the Payton offensive is by no means limited to the backfield. A “Float Right” direction would bring the F wide on the weak side in an X-like manner. Meanwhile, a Y could end wide, in the slot, as in the backfield, as we have seen many times with Josh Hill in particular. Mostness is significant in both of these positions and Stevens sees the part for sure.
Payton compliments Stevens on acknowledging “he has a lot to learn.” Add a voice of confidence that the effort needed to bring the crime down is there.
Drew Brees said most clearly in his availability of media, ‘I think the vision came to him that he’s apparently a quarterback, but man, we can put him in this Taysom Hill kind of role. He is such a great, strong, good athlete that he could deliver this dimension, perhaps at the tight end position like this F position. The addition that Stevens “played that role” included the addition of a similar wrinkle at Penn State in particular. Stevens’ performance in this role will outweigh that of quarterback play in deciding whether or not to make the cut then Airline Drive.
Can Tommy Stevens do enough in his new role to earn a roster spot in September? Explain in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Chronicles of Canal Street, and make sure you sign up with us new YouTube channel. As always you can follow me on Twitter @RossJacksonNOLA and subscribe to my Saints daily podcast, Locked on saints.
