Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The first preseason game for the New Orleans Saints is only days away. As the Saints take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., there are several players that could help themselves substantially with strong performances.
Honorable Mentions: The Quarterbacks
Passers Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener can all help themselves both in pursuit of the starting quarterback job or in pursuit of a larger role. None of these passers wants to end up the inactive emergency third quarterback on game days. So there’s more than the starting job to compete for here. The preseason will bring all eyes to the quarterbacks. Of that there’s no doubt.
EDGE Isaiah Foskey
After a stunningly quiet camo stint in Metairie, La., Foskey returns home to the West Coast with a chance to turn the corner. After being relegated to a special teams role for the majority of his first two seasons, new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system is one that should allow the 2023 second-round pick to fit in as an impactful player. However, that’s not been showcased just yet. Performing under the preseason lights may not only be possible but necessary for Foskey.
WR Bub Means
After a strong minicamp and OTA showing, Means showed a lot of promise returning from a nagging injury that ended his season prematurely last year. However, like Foskey, his training camp has been quiet thus far. Peaking instead in California and carrying that momentum through the preseason could be very important for Means.
The Saints’ top four wideouts seem set with Chris Olave, Rashid Shahed, Brandin Cooks and Mason Tipton leading the way. Unless a fifth wideout is going to enter the picture soon, there may be a spot ready for the taking.
RB Kendre Miller
For Miller, the preseason is a little less about having something to prove and more about having an opportunity of which he can now take full advantage. Miller wasn’t able to appear in last year’s preseason games due to injury. Now, he’s looking to head into the exhibition match ups and show that he can be the second back behind star Alvin Kamara.
Talent has never been the question for Miller. The biggest uncertainties around him have been related to health and availability. Now, feeling as good as he’s felt heading into a preseason, a major opportunity awaits.
