Final New Orleans Saints 53-man roster projection after the preseason
And that's that. The final whistle has blown in the New Orleans Saints' last preseason game and roster cuts will soon be underway ahead of the NFL deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 27. So who's in? Who's out? And where does the team still need to find some help?
Let's break it down, position-by-position, and consider who's made us (and, maybe, the coaches) change our minds. There's a lot to consider after a monthlong training camp and three different preseason games. If the Saints had to trim down from 90 players to just 53 tomorrow, these would be our picks:
Quarterbacks (3)
On the roster: Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler
On the outs: N/A
Rattler had several nice drives against the Tennessee Titans but Haener has the better body of work through the summer. It's worth retaining all three quarterbacks and keeping all options on the table.
Running backs (4)
On the roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, James Robinson, Jordan Mims
On the outs:, Jacob Kibodi
On injured reserve: Kendre Miller
Kibodi impressed with a couple of touchdown runs against the Titans' backups but he hasn't shown as much over the summer as Mims and Robinson -- and Robinson may have pulled ahead with some decisive running on Sunday. But Mims has a stronger overall body of work and he's probably the better bet to make the team outright.
Fullbacks (1)
On the roster: Taysom Hill
On the outs: Adam Prentice
Look for Prentice to start out on the practice squad and get called up for a few games when the Saints need a fullback for specific matchups. Hill can do so many things well, including the responsibilities Klint Kubiak asks of this position as a blocker, that it's not worth rostering two fullbacks.
Tight ends (3)
On the roster: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker
On the outs: Michael Jacobson, Kevin Rader, Mason Fairchild
It's worth watching Holker's progress as he recovers from an ankle injury, but this is probably set. Jacobson should get more time on the practice squad, and he needs it after being penalized three times on Sunday with a bad drop.
Offensive line (9)
On the roster: Taliese Fuaga (tackle), Lucas Patrick (guard/center), Erik McCoy (center), Cesar Ruiz (guard), Trevor Penning (tackle), Olisaemeka Udoh (guard/tackle), Kyle Hergel (guard), Landon Young (tackle), Shane Lemieux (guard/center)
On the outs: Josiah Ezirim (tackle), Mark Evans II (guard), Tremayne Anchrum Jr. (guard/tackle), Jesse Davis (tackle)
On injured reserve: Nick Saldiveri (guard)
The Saints need to find some backups who can push Young and Lemieux off the roster -- they both had some low moments this preseason while trying out at multiple positions. Saldiveri should also start the season on injured reserve while recovering from the injury that's sidelined him for most of the last month.
Wide receivers (6)
On the roster: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Cedrick Wilson Jr., A.T. Perry, Bub Means, Equanimeous St. Brown
On the outs: Mason Tipton, Stanley Morgan, Samson Nacua, Kevin Austin Jr., Shaquan Davis
St. Brown is clearly a player the coaching staff trusts, and so do the backup quarterbacks. It's possible the Saints only go with five receivers on the 53-man roster and he could be a good practice squad candidate as someone who doesn't have to test the waiver wire before re-signing. But he seems to be further along in his development than Perry or Means. The Saints usually stash three wideouts on the practice squad so expect several of their cuts to return.
Special teams (3)
On the roster: Matt Hayball (punter), Blake Grupe (kicker), Zach Wood (long snapper)
On the outs: Lou Hedley (punter), Charlie Smyth (kicker)
I've seen enough of Hedley. He can't seem to find the right balance between distance, accuracy, and hangtime with far too many line drives and short punts. Smyth had a strong summer but he's a good bet to return to the practice squad with an International Player Pathway exemption and round out his game.
Defensive line (9)
On the roster: Cameron Jordan (end), Carl Granderson (end), Chase Young (end), Isaiah Foskey (end), Payton Turner (end), Nathan Shepherd (tackle), Bryan Bresee (tackle), Khalen Saunders (tackle), Khristian Boyd (tackle)
On the outs: Niko Lalos (end), Trajan Jeffcoat (end), Jack Heflin (tackle), Kendal Vickers (tackle)
Saunders is dealing with a calf injury so watch out for him as an injured reserve candidate. But this group appears to be settled, though someone like Turner could be a surprise trade target for another team.
Linebackers (5)
On the roster: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay, Khaleke Hudson, Anfernee Orji
On the outs: D’Marco Jackson, Monty Rice, Isaiah Stalbird, Mike Ford
On injured reserve: Jaylan Ford
Ford should take a redshirt and sit out this season after missing so much time this summer with injuries. Hudson and Orji both look like capable backups and they each play on special teams, which is important. Jackson suffered an injury at a bad time last week and he's probably headed for the practiice squad because of it.
Safeties (5)
On the roster: Tyrann Mathieu, Johnathan Abram, Will Harris, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray
On the outs: Ugo Amadi, Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Millard Bradford
It shouldn't stun anyone if Amadi makes the cut given his versatility and experience on special teams, but he's probably best suited coming in from the practice squad when the team needs more depth.
Cornerbacks (5)
On the roster: Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Rico Payton
On the outs: Shemar Jean-Charles, Rejzohn Wright, Mac McCain, Kaleb Ford-Dement
It's going to be so, so tough to keep Payton off this roster. All he's done this summer is make plays when the ball comes his way -- and when he's given the opportunity to rush the quarterback. Jean-Charles could be the coaches' pick given his greater experience but Payton is a playmaker and I'd rather not risk losing him on waivers. It's worth keeping five corners instead of four given all the injuries at the position.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Final New Orleans Saints 53-man roster projection after the preseason
