McCoy anchored Saints center play in Week 1, enabling trenches advantage and overall offensive execution for fantasy-relevant week-to-week production.

Erik McCoy named captain; steadying presence on NO’s offensive line and a key to run/pass protection.

McCoy remains the Saints’ center anchor, with Fortner providing depth behind him. His health and performance are central to the line’s stability as the Saints navigate injuries and rotation changes.

McCoy is the veteran anchor Penning leaned on during his guard transition, providing interior center mentorship that’s accelerated the rookie’s adjustment. His presence is a stabilizing force for the Saints’ interior line and a potential accelerant to Penning’s return timeline and performance if he stays healthy.

McCoy’s injury backdrop drives the Saints’ depth moves, elevating the importance of Panasiuk’s test and the group workout with veterans. His absence creates urgency to stabilize the interior line and protect the quarterback, shaping how the Saints approach preseason reps and roster decisions.