Saints' way-too-early 53-man roster projection
The New Orleans Saints will have plenty of big decisions regarding their roster in the coming months. Decisions will have to be made, and position battles will determine who makes the cut for Week 1. A lot of starters have locked down their role, but how will the depth shake out in New Orleans? This […]
The New Orleans Saints will have plenty of big decisions regarding their roster in the coming months.
Decisions will have to be made, and position battles will determine who makes the cut for Week 1.
A lot of starters have locked down their role, but how will the depth shake out in New Orleans? This is how I see it playing out with the current roster for the Saints.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Jake Haener
OUT: Jake Luton
The skinny: The Saints will need to carry three QBs, and I don't think that will frustrate them. They like Haener a lot, but Winston will probably be the game day backup for Carr. Luton will be a practice squad QB.
Running back (4)
IN: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kende Miller, Dwayne Washington
OUT: Eno Benjamin, Derrick Gore, Sa'Rodrick Thompson
The skinny: New Orleans may choose to carry four running backs. They've done it before and have the talent to do so again. Kamara, Williams, and Miller will be the top three, but Washington may grab a spot due to his leadership and special teams prowess. The Saints have always liked his game.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry, Tre'Quan Smith, Bryan Edwards
OUT: Kirk Merritt, Keith Kirkwood, Sy Barnett, Kawaan Baker, Shaquan Davis
The skinny: The Saints choose to carry six wide receivers in this scenario. Smith and Edwards are the toughest to project, but their blocking and special teams ability as veterans will help their case over younger, unproven players. The others should be locks.
Tight end (3)
IN: Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, Adam Prentice (FB/TE),
OUT: Miller Forristall, Joel Wilson
The skinny: The tight end group may see a new veteran addition in the next month or so, so this could change. For now, Johnson and Hill both are set in stone, and the Saints almost always carry one fullback.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Andrus Peat, Ryan Ramcyzk, Trevor Penning, James Hurst, Storm Norton, Nick Saldiveri, Calvin Throckmorton
OUT: Landon Young, Koda Martin, Lewis Kidd, Mark Evans II, Yasir Durant, Alex Pihlstrom
The skinny: This group is fairly cut and dry for the Saints. They've had their starting OL all off-season as well as a couple of key veteran backups. They added Saldiveri to the mix in the draft and Norton in free agency. Hurst gives them depth everywhere on the OL, and they love versatility.
Defensive line (9)
IN: Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey, Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, Malcolm Roach, Payton Turner, Tank Kpassagnon
OUT: Prince Emili, Jabari Zuniga
The skinny: The defensive line is similar to offensive when it comes to projections. A mix of young talent and vets will make up the unit. Shepherd and Saunders will assuredly make it after nice FA deals. Foskey and Bresee may push some others down the depth chart, but they'll still grab a roster spot.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Andrew Dowell, Zack Baun, Anfernee Orji
OUT: Ty Summers, Nephi Sewell, Ryan Connelly, Nick Anderson
The skinny: The Saints normally carry five linebackers, and this roster build makes it worth it again. They love special teams linebackers like Dowell and Baun, but those guys will see the field on defense more often this year, especially Dowell, after the departure of Kaden Elliss. Give me Orji to make the team as a UDFA, too.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, Paulson Adebo, Bradley Roby, Lonnie Johnson Jr.
OUT: Isaac Yiadom, Troy Pride Jr., Anthony Johnson
The skinny: No surprises here. The Saints keep their veteran CB room in place and add Lonnie Johnson Jr. to the unit. It's a strong, proven piece of the defense.
Safety (6)
IN: Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, Smoke Monday, Johnathan Abram
OUT: Ugo Amadi
The skinny: The first two are locks for the roster. Past that, safety is cloudy outside of Gray – a special teams ace for the Saints. Amadi will fight with Monday and Abram for a roster spot, most likely. Should be an interesting position for New Orleans.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Wil Lutz (K), Blake Gillikin (P), Zach Wood (LS)
OUT: Alex Quevedo, Blake Grupe, Lou Hedley
The skinny: The Saints choose the veteran route here and keep Lutz/Gillikin as their boosters. Both have proven their worth in years prior.
