Five Saints standouts from first open OTA practice of 2025
05/22/2025
By Ross Jackson
For the first time this season, the new-look New Orleans Saints took the field in front of the media with both rookie and veterans present. Though not every player was in attendance, there were some stand out performers that caught the eyes of those in attendance.
Both quarterbacks put on a show, but one stood out. A wide receiver returning from injury hasn’t lost a step, a versatile defender looks right at home in his new defense, and more.
QB Spencer Rattler
Rattler had the stronger day of the quarterbacks. He went 8/8 during the team’s 7-on-7 drill, including a big connection over the middle of the field to tight end Michael Jacobson on a post.
Rattler looked poised and in control of the offense. He was decisive and precise with his passing. He showed out big time on our first look at him since the end of the 2024 season.
Kellen Moore talks Spencer Rattler coming into this season, says you always want to see a Year 2 jump from players. #Saints pic.twitter.com/DsQqTZknSZ
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) May 22, 2025
WR Rashid Shaheed
The end of Shaheed’s 2024 came far too early. The dynamic deep threat was on a tear as one of the NFL’s big play manufacturers. After a knee surgery took him out for the rest of the year, getting him back out on the field has been one of the most exciting returns for the Saints this season.
The good news is that Shaheed, despite surgery to his knee, has not lost a step in his game. He looks as fast and fluid as ever. Considering head coach Kellen’s Moore’s track record with jet sweeps and other mechanics he uses to get the ball into his weapons’ hands, Shaheed could be in for a big 2025.
CB Alontae Taylor
Taylor celebrated the hiring of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, and it isn’t hard to see why. From playing in the nickel to moving about, Taylor was a force last season on defense. Things got sidetracked for him when he (again) had to change positions late in the season. However, he looks very comfortable in his new situation.
Taylor is moving well and appears poised to return to a role that allows him to attack as a blitzer, which is a spot where he found early success in 2024.
C Erik McCoy
The veteran of the offensive line is still young, athletic, and exceptional in his role. McCoy’s season was choppy last year in terms of availability due to injury. But he looked great on Thursday. He continues to communicate well and bring others along with him as a mentor.
At one point, between drills, McCoy worked with another offensive lineman on his footwork after watching him go through a workout rep. That’s the kind of leadership from which this shifting offensive line will benefit massively.
EDGE Carl Granderson
Another defensive player that is in for a changing and exciting role, Granderson looked the part as a standup edge rusher. The trick to maximizing his reps will come down to whether or not he’ll also be asked to drop into coverage as an outside linebacker and how he handles those assignments.
But Granderson looks refreshed being asked to use his speed and athleticism off the edge.