Saints 53-man roster projection after second preseason game
The second New Orleans Saints preseason game is in the books and it's led to some changes in our 53-man roster projection. Some players seized the moment while others left a lot to be desired against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. So what's new?
Let's break it down, position-by-position, and consider who's making us (and, maybe, the coaches) change our minds. There's one more week of practices and another preseason game to go before roster cuts on Aug. 27. But 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
This was Rattler's chance to take over as QB2, but going 4-of-8 for 27 yards while taking a couple of sacks and losing a fumble won't get it done. Haener wasn't much more impressive but he did sustain drives while doing a better job navigating pressure behind the third-team offensive line. Derek Carr's job is safe on top of the depth chart.
Running backs (4)
On the roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims, Kendre Miller
On the outs: James Robinson, Jacob Kibodi
This may have been the best game Williams has had as a Saint. He looked good building up momentum when he had room to run, and he still averaged more than four yards per carry if you took out his 15-yard run. It was very encouraging. Mims and Robinson were both solid but unspectacular. You can't help but feel like this was a huge missed opportunity for Miller. The Saints need someone with home-run speed in the backfield and he's their best bet, but he can't stay healthy.
Fullbacks (2)
On the roster: Taysom Hill, Adam Prentice
On the outs: N/A
You could make the argument that the Saints don't need a true fullback with Hill's role as a blocker expanding, and we'll see if the team agrees. For now we expect both Hill and Prentice to be on the 53-man roster but it's possible Prentice ends up on the practice squad instead.
Tight ends (3)
On the roster: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker
On the outs: Michael Jacobson, Kevin Rader, Mason Fairchild
Johnson is expected back soon after recovering from foot surgery, but Holker's sprained ankle is a concern. We'll just have to wait and see whether it's a serious problem. If so, Jacobson could be the TE3.
Offensive line (9)
On the roster: Taliese Fuaga (tackle), Lucas Patrick (guard/center), Erik McCoy (center), Cesar Ruiz (guard), Trevor Penning (tackle), Nick Saldiveri (guard), Olisaemeka Udoh (guard/tackle), Kyle Hergel (guard), Landon Young (tackle)
On the outs: Josiah Ezirim (tackle), Shane Lemieux (guard), Mark Evans II (guard), Sincere Haynesworth (center/guard), Tremayne Anchrum Jr. (guard/tackle), Jesse Davis (tackle)
We still aren't feeling great about this group, and we have some suggestions for possible upgrades in free agency. So much is still unknown. Can Penning be trusted at right tackle? Is Patrick the best option at left guard? Is it worth carrying nine linemen when the talent gap is so thin across the board? The preseason games are not giving us satisfying answers.
Wide receivers (5)
On the roster: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Cedrick Wilson Jr., A.T. Perry, Bub Means
On the outs: Mason Tipton, Equanimeous St. Brown, Stanley Morgan, Samson Nacua, Kevin Austin Jr., Shaquan Davis
We aren't ready to change this projection yet, but we're getting there. Nacua and Austin have both made some plays. St. Brown is clearly someone the coaching staff likes. Perry's inconsistencies at practice carried over into this game, and Tipton hasn't been healthy enough to play in preseason so he might be bound for the practice squad. Something could (and probably should) change soon but we'll wait to see how the next week shakes out.
Special teams (3)
On the roster: Lou Hedley (punter), Blake Grupe (kicker), Zach Wood (long snapper)
On the outs: Matt Hayball (punter), Charlie Smyth (kicker)
Of the two kicker competitions, it feels like Hedley should be in more trouble. The second-year punter averaged almost 10 fewer yards per punt than Hayball in this game. His first punt traveled only 37 yards from the New Orleans 25-yard line. His second try was a 36-yarder stopped right at the San Francisco 20. And his third attempt went into the end zone for a touchback. He isn't showing the combination of range and accurate placement he needs to keep this job.
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)
Bresee may have supplanted Saunders as the starter next to Shepherd, which would be a big -- and welcome -- development. But the attention should go to the defensive ends rotation. Foskey still isn't making many plays for someone taking so many snaps. At least Turner brought a lot of pressure in this game, it's just a shame he didn't finish those reps with sacks.
Linebackers (5)
On the roster: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay, Jaylan Ford, Khaleke Hudson
On the outs: D’Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji, Monty Rice, Isaiah Stalbird, Mike Ford
This was a rough game for Jackson in coverage, but Ford may be the player to watch at roster cuts. The Saints could put the rookie fifth-round pick on injured reserve as a redshirt so someone like Orji can get that roster spot. Ford has missed a lot of time with injuries including five days at training camp and most of the spring. This felt like a much stronger game from Hudson than what we saw a week ago. The Saints have kept as many as three linebackers on the practice squad before and they could take that route again with few spots to go around on the 53-man roster.
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
Howden keeps slipping, both on the depth chart and on the field. His missed tackle against Joshua Dobbs at the goal line was disastrous and that came after Harris surpassed him to run with the starters. Landing Justin Simmons would've restored a lot of faith in this group but the Saints may have to just trust the players they have on the roster.
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
All of the injuries stacking up at corner made us reconsider keeping just four. McKinstry hurt his knee in this game, and while it isn't said to be serious that's something else to watch with both Lattimore and Adebo on the mend. It might be a coin flip between Payton and Jean-Charles, but the rookie from Pittsburg State has enjoyed two strong weeks of work. Either (or both) of them could return to the practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints 53-man roster projection after second preseason game
