Saints’ 2025 practice squad: New Orleans brings back two quarterbacks and keeps preseason playmaker in the fold for roster depth

A lot of familiar names return for depth.

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
May 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Treyton Welch (82) in a huddle during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Depth is vital around the NFL. For the New Orleans Saints, they’ve revealed a key piece to the depth of their roster entering this season. Their 2025 practice squad has been signed. There will be adjustments to this throughout the season, but it’s a notable step forward to completing the entire group to start regular season play against the Arizona Cardinals.

Check out the current practice squad for the Saints below.

Saints’ 2025 practice squad

  • Kevin Austin Jr. – WR
  • Dalys Beanum – CB
  • Terrell Burgess – S
  • Elliot Davison – S
  • Hunter Dekkers – QB
  • Fadil Diggs – EDGE
  • Jake Haener – QB
  • Easton Kilty – OL
  • Jayden Price – CB
  • Nephi Sewell – LB
  • Charlie Smyth – K
  • Jack Stoll – TE
  • Treyton Welch – TE
  • Jonah Williams – DL
  • Cedrick Wilson Jr. – WR

Treyton Welch remains as key depth at TE

Welch was a passing game threat throughout the preseason, and many thought he would earn a spot on the active roster. The UDFA did not make the cut, unfortunately, though. The Saints kept just two tight ends on the 53-man, but we will probably see a Week 1 elevation from the PS at the position. Jack Stoll is also on the practice squad for New Orleans.

Charlie Smyth returns to backup Blake Grupe

Smyth has a booming leg and four more consistency late in the offseason. He is a great backup kicker to have for Blake Grupe, who was magnificent this offseason from training camp through the entire preseason. The Saints have a ton of confidence in Grupe entering this season but keeping Smyth in the fold was important for depth.

Multiple QBs

Jake Haener and Hunter Dekkers both return to the Saints on the PS. Haener was a bit of a surprising cut, as many people felt like the Saints would keep three QBs on their active roster due to uncertainty at the position. They didn’t and chose Spencer Rattler as their starting QB, pushing rookie Tyler Shough to a backup role for now.

Bringing in a veteran to the active roster at QB makes sense for the Saints, but it remains to be seen if they will go after someone in free agency before New Orleans’ season opener next weekend.

Related Articles