Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
By Ross Jackson
After some shuffling, the New Orleans Saints’ initial 53-man roster has already seen changes. Here is an updated look at the new roster with analysis for each position group.
Quarterbacks (2)
- Spencer Rattler
- Tyler Shough
With Rattler announced as the starter, Shough will get a chance to develop in the background. Waiving previous third contestant Jake Haener was a bit of a surprise. But it’s become clear that New Orleans is intent on setting its focus for its two primary passing options for now.
Haener did return to the practice squad along with undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers. It will be interesting to see if the Saints plan to keep all four passers as the team goes into the regular season.
Running Backs (4)
- Alvin Kamara
- Kendre Miller
- Velus Jones Jr.
- Devin Neal
While many expected veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire to make the cut, he instead reunited with his former Kansas City Chiefs team. This group of four backs is a promising one. Kamara and Miller look to be ready to lead the way, however Neal may see his role grow throughout the season.
Jones provides New Orleans with a speedy, evasive option, the likes of which the team has not had since perhaps C.J. Spiller.
Wide Receivers (5)
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- Brandin Cooks
- Mason Tipton
- Devaughn Vele
- Trey Palmer
Speed, speed and more speed. The Saints don’t have a 40-time slower than 4.47 seasons at this position. Even the team’s big-bodied addition, Vele, has good speed and can attack downfield.
New Orleans has done an excellent job building up the bottom of this position, giving the team viable options should there be any attrition across the group. The addition of Palmer may end up being a very important pick up.
Tight Ends (2)
- Juwan Johnson
- Moliki Matavao
This is likely to be the position that sees the most work ahead of Week One. With tight ends Jack Stoll and Treyton Welch on the practice squad, it wouldn’t be surprising to see either elevated to the active roster ahead of the first week of the season or at least used as a standard gameday elevation. New Orleans won’t go into Week One with just two tight ends available for the game.
Offensive line (10)
- LT Kevin Banks Jr.
- LG Trevor Penning
- C Erik McCoy
- RG Cesar Ruiz
- RT Taliese Fuaga
- Dillon Radunz
- Luke Fortner
- Torricelli Simpkins III
- Asim Richards
- Xavier Truss
The depth here got very interesting very quickly. Fortner, Richards and Truss have all been added to the roster in recent weeks. The latter pair hasn’t even been seen in action for head coach Kellen Moore and his offense.
Simpkins really started to land on the radar during the first preseason game as he took over for the injured Will Clapp early. He has been one of the better stories along the roster.
New Orleans has already managed so much injury here. There’s a lot of concern with this unit.
Edge Rushers (4)
- Chase Young
- Carl Granderson
- Cameron Jordan
- Chris Rumph II
It was interesting to see edge rusher Fadil Diggs become the only drafted rookie to not make the roster. He did find his way to the practice squad, however.
This quartet of pass rushers has some promise. Each flashed consistently throughout training camp, particularly the two top guys, Young and Granderson.
Defensive Tackles (6)
- Davon Godchaux
- Bryan Bresee
- Nathan Shepherd
- Kristian Boyd
- Jonathan Bullard
- Vernon Broughton
What might be one of the team’s most improved position groups, New Orleans returned only two interior defenders from last year’s roster. The addition of Godchaux is a crucial one, especially in new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme.
Bresee and Shepherd fit in comfortably as 3-4 defensive ends while Bullard and Broughton bring versatility.
Boyd has thrived in his new role, backing up Godchaux at nose tackle.
Linebackers (5)
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Jaylan Ford
- Isaiah Stallbird
- Danny Stutsman
The Saints opted for a youth infusion here when it comes to depth. More veteran players like D’Marco Jackson and Nephi Sewell either found their way to another team or on the practice squad.
This position is a prime example of how the New Orleans coaching staff has not allowed itself to be tied to the decisions of the previous regime. Ford, Stutsman and Stalbird each consistently made plays throughout camp and provided special teams value.
Cornerbacks (5)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry
- Alontae Taylor
- Isaac Yiadom
- Rejzohn Wright
- Quincy Riley
The biggest surprise here was the departure of Rico Payton, who was one of the team’s top gunners and depth corners last year. He was waived with an injury designation and then claimed by the New York Giants.
Payton’s being waived opened the door for Wright to earn a spot in the active roster, one that he claimed with stellar preseason performances and composure.
New Orleans may look to be more active at this position if needed. They were reportedly one of several teams to put in a waiver claim for now-Titans corner Jaylon Amour-Davis.
Safeties (6)
- Justin Reid
- Julian Blackmon
- Jordan Howden
- J.T. Gray
- Ugo Amadi
- Jonas Sanker
This may be the team’s strongest position group. The defensive line as a whole is in contention, but this group has seen a lot of change this offseason.
Projections of this unit could have bottomed out after the surprise retirement of Tyrann Mathieu. Instead, New Orleans added Julian Blackmon and will benefit massively from the earlier addition of Justin Reid.
Specialists (3)
- K Blake Grupe
- P Kai Kroeger
- LS Zach Wood
No surprises here at kicker and long snapper. However, many are curious whether or not the Saints are totally set at punter with Kroeger.
The former South Carolina leg began to quickly pull away from his competition, James Burnip, during camp. The separation was very noticeable. His ability as a directional and traditional punter along with his athletic prowess for the position are all very enticing. He is a young player, so getting up to form may have some growing pains along the way.
