Michael C. Hebert/New Orleans Saints
By Ross Jackson
With the New Orleans Saints’ first preseason game on the way, here is how we see the status of the team’s 53-man roster ahead of their opening exhibition matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. It is likely these projections will shift as more on-field action progresses over the coming weeks.
Quarterbacks (3)
- Spencer Rattler
- Tyler Shough
- Jake Haener
What can change? All that’s really at stake here is who will turn out to be the starter. Rattler seems to have a clear lead right now, but with at least one game factoring into head coach Kellen Moore’s decision, there’s always a chance something gets shaken up. The last remaining factor is undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers. But it’s unlikely he lands a spot unless something unprecedented happens or another team that can provide a better opportunity for him comes calling about Haener.
Running Backs (5)
- Alvin Kamara
- Kendre Miller
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Devin Neal
- Velus Jones Jr.
What can change? Running back Cam Akers has NFL experience and has made a lot of big plays in his day. He has a chance to challenge and shake up this room. Jones is intriguing because of his additional pass-catching contributions. He could be a Ty Montgomery-like player that also provides some depth at wide receiver while holding just one roster spot. Moore said that keeping three or four running backs on the active roster is typical. We’re deviating from that for now because of Jones’ ability to help at wideout if needed.
Wide Receivers (5)
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- Brandin Cooks
- Mason Tipton
- Dante Pettis
What can change? If Bub Means has a solid preseason turnout, he could snag the fifth spot. He looked promising early in the offseason but has had a relatively quiet training camp. Cedrick WIlson Jr. could move into the fifth spot as well by contributing more in coming weeks. I placed Pettis here for now because he’s made more consistent plays in camp, has versatility as an inside/outside player and contributes as an additional returner, the only other one listed beside Shaheed on the unofficial depth chart.
Tight Ends (3)
- Juwan Johnson
- Jack Stoll
- Michael Jacobson
What can change? With injuries currently keeping tight ends Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill sidelined, if one were to be healthy by the start of the season and okay to go Week One, that could lead New Orleans to either swapping out Jacobson for one of them or by carrying a fourth tight end into the season. If the latter is the way they went, that could leave Jones Jr. on the outside looking in at running back. Mason Pline will also be interesting to watch. The 6-foot-7, 260-pound former basketball player could present enough of a red zone threat to surprise.
Offensive line (9)
- LT Kevin Banks Jr.
- LG Trevor Penning
- C Erik McCoy
- RG Cesar Ruiz
- RT Taliese Fuaga
- Will Clapp
- Dillon Radunz
- Landon Young
- Shane Lemieux
What can change? Not a lot. This unit seems pretty well set. The only big factor to watch here is how many offensive lineman they choose to keep. Clapp and Lemieux have overlapping versatility, as do Radunza and Young. Therefore one of the four could be left to await a spot on the practice squad. But keeping a stockpile of offensive lineman on the active roster makes sense, especially with the lack of commanding depth at other positions.
Defensive line (10)
- Chase Young
- Carl Granderson
- Cameron Jordan
- Chris Rumph II
- Fadil Diggs
- Davon Godchaux
- Bryan Bresee
- Khalen Saunders
- Jonah Williams
- Vernon Broughton
What can change? At edge rusher, Jasheen Davis deserves a spot. But as an undrafted free agent, sneaking him through waivers feels more likely than sneaking Diggs through. Every year there’s a player that many would say “The Saints can’t let them go to waivers, they’ll never make it through!” that ultimately makes it through easily and ends up on the team’s practice squad by the time it’s all said and done. Davis could be that player. At defensive tackle, it’s hard to leave Nathan Shepherd off, but the team needs a backup nose tackle, which could skew the numbers a bit.
Linebackers (5)
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- D’Marco Jackson
- Nephi Sewell
- Danny Stutsman
What can change? Not a lot. This feels like the strongest combination at this unit from both the defensive and special teams perspectives. Jaylan Ford, a previous draft pick, is left out here, which is tough. But he should be able to make it back to the practice squad if he doesn’t continue to build momentum throughout the preseason. He has had some stronger performances in recent practices.
Defensive Backs (10)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry
- Alontae Taylor
- Isaac Yiadom
- Rico Payton
- Quincy Riley
- Justin Reid
- Julian Blackmon
- Jordan Howden
- J..T Gray
- Jonas Sanker
What can change? There’s obviously a J-name conspiracy to look into at safety, first of all. But that’s the spot where change could be possible. Should players like Ugo Amadi or Terrell Burgess stand out enough, they could steal a spot or force the team to keep an eleventh defensive back, subtracting elsewhere. Both can play nickel to backup Taylor, a spot where few of the players listed have been seen during camp. But Amadi and Burgess could be reliable options on the practice squad that could be called upon should the Saints need reinforcements in the slot.
Specialists (3)
- K Blake Grupe
- P James Burnip
- LS Zach Wood
What can change? Virtually nothing is changing at kicker or long snapper, but punter is interesting. The team has already moved on from incumbent punter Matthew Hayball, but the order of operations has been intriguing. Burnip was brought in as an undrafted free agent immediately to compete for the job. However, weeks into camp, Kai Kroeger was added. Was that an indication that Burnip wasn’t doing enough? Or just for the sake of seeing another punter? Assuming the latter is true, Burnip is likely to be the fourth consecutive new punter for the Saints.
