The preseason is officially over for the New Orleans Saints. Now, we must all look ahead to a tough portion of the offseason. Roster cuts ahead of the season opener are filled with tough decisions, but Kellen Moore will have to make them alongside his coaching staff in the coming days.

Saints’ 53-man Roster Final Prediction

Quarterback (3)

In: Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough*, Jake Haener
Out: N/A

I expect Rattler to be named the starter for Week 1 this week. Shough had bright moments in the preseason, but it won’t be quite enough – feels like. Haener sticks around as the third QB option and emergency option on game days.

Running Back (4)

In: Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal*, Velus Jones Jr.
Out: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Cam Akers, Marcus Yarns**

This group is one of the toughest to predict. Outside of Kamara and Miller, New Orleans could go in a multitude of directions. Ultimately, they roll with the rookie in Neal and Jones’ ability on special teams and speed in the passing game out of the backfield. One of Akers or CEH would sneak in over another player at a different position.

Wide Receiver (5)

In: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton, Brandin Cooks
Out: Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Moochie Dixon

This feels pretty clear now, following the Vele trade. Pettis could sneak in due to his special teams prowess and overall experience, but I think it is more likely he vies for a practice squad spot.

Tight End (3)

In: Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll, Treyton Welch**, Taysom Hill (PUP), Foster Moreau (PUP)
Out: Moliki Matavao*, Michael Jacobson, Seth Green

The top three are fairly clear here. The Saints will hope they can keep Matavao on their practice squad, probably. Welch impressed during the preseason.

Offensive Tackle (4)

In: Taliese Fuaga, Kelvin Banks Jr.*, Barry Wesley, F/A addition, Landon Young (PUP/IR)
Out: Jonathan Mendoza, Josiah Ezirim

The Saints have a depth issue here, since Young suffered an injury in the preseason finale. It is unknown how much time he will mist, but he was carted off. Ezirim has been around the team longer than some of the other options, but there are just dart throws past the first two guys at tackle. Feels like New Orleans will have to add someone with experience here.

Interior Offensive Line (7)

In: Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy, Trevor Penning, Dillon Radunz, Torricelli Simpkins III**, Luke Fortner, Shane Lemieux
Out: Kyle Hergel, Mike Panasiuk, Easton Kilty

This position has some mystery for the depth. Since I had some room to play with in the projection, I kept a multitude of options here. Lemieux and Fortner both provide some versatility inside, and Simpkins was great in the preseason. With the amount of OL injuries overall, this does make sense.

Defensive End (5)

In: Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan, Chris Rumph II, Fadil Diggs*
Out: Isaiah Foskey, Jonah Williams, Jonathan Bullard, Jasheen Davis**, Jeremiah Martin

The Foskey experiment officially ends. Diggs had flashes on defense and special teams after being a late round pick in this year’s draft. Rumph has the trust of new DC Brandon Staley.

Interior Defensive Line (5)

In: Davon Godchaux, Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton*, Kristian Boyd
Out: John Ridgeway, Omari Thomas**, Jayden Peevy

This group feels fairly locked in. After trading away Khalen Saunders, Boyd projects as a key backup inside for Godchaux. Broughton’s draft pedigree helps him carve out a spot, and Bresee is set to take a big step forward this season.

Linebacker (4)

In: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman*, Jaylan Ford
Out: Nephi Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Isaiah Stalbird, Tyreem Powell**

The last spot here is a bit cloudy, but Ford impressed me the most this offseason. His athleticism at his size stood out, and he has more potential than the other options. The prior three are all locked into a roster nod.

Cornerback (6)

In: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Isaac Yiadom, Quincy Riley*, Alontae Taylor, Rico Payton, Ugo Amadi
Out: Jayden Price, Rejzohn Wright, Dalys Beanum

Injuries make this a bit tougher. Payton is banged up, but he could still get a spot. Taylor also could miss the start of the season, so Price or Wright could slide in here. Tough to know for sure. Amadi played well enough to keep his role in the slot and could see playing time with Taylor dealing with an injury.

Safety (4)

In: Julian Blackmon, Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker*, J.T. Gray
Out: Jordan Howden, Terrell Burgess, Elliott Davison

I think Sanker separated himself from the rest of the pack here when it comes to question marks. Gray is a special teams star, and the other two were starters. Howden struggled in the preseason, and Burgess didn’t make enough of an impact in camp to stick around. Either could be practice squad options.

Specialists (3)

In: Blake Grupe, Kai Kroeger**, Zach Wood (LS)
Out: James Burnip**, Charlie Smyth

Smyth should be a hopeful for the practice squad. After early camp woes, he has been solid recently. Grupe looks the best he has so far in his young pro career. Kroeger wins the punter job narrowly over Burnip, both as rookies.

New Orleans Saints News

Saints player receives the news he desperately wanted to avoid before the preseason concludes

A tough blow for a defender in black and gold.

Adam Holt