We are finally done with preseason, and less than two weeks away from the beginning of the regular season. For the New Orleans Saints, this was a pretty busy training camp with position battles sprinkled throughout the team. Many of these battles did not have clear winners, but the Saints still must figure out who they want to bring in for the season, and here is my attempt to do that.
QB (2): Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler
This was such an interesting position battle because Zach Wilson did look like the better QB in game 1, but it went
back to square 1 after game 2. It was such a bad performance by both QBs that any momentum was destroyed. Then, in game 3, Rattler did look like the better QB, and I think the Saints might just go with what they’re comfortable with.
RB (5): Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, and Zamir White
Devin Neal on the IR
The RBs became such an interesting situation due to the injuries, but hopefully, mostly everyone will be healthy for Game 1. Alvin Kamara’s availability is a bit up in the air, so if he hits the IR, I can see this group only being 4 players, and I do see Devin Neal on the IR. I think, given the injury luck this season, bringing 5 guys makes sense, and all of them did really well in game 3 of the preseason.
WR (5): Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Barion Brown, Bryce Lance, and Kevin Austin Jr.
Jordyn Tyson on IR
In this group, I originally had 6 spots filled, but with Jordyn Tyson on IR, I think the Saints are only bringing 5 players as of now. I think the decision comes down to Kevin Austin Jr. or Bub Means, and although Means has done well, the staff really seems to like Austin Jr.
TE (3): Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, and Oscar Delp
Nothing really changes here, especially with Moliki Matavao out for the season.
OL (9): Kelvin Banks Jr., David Edwards, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Jeremiah Wright, Easton Kilty, William Sherman, and Asim Richards
The starters for this group are the same, but the depth is nearly the opposite of my expectations. Jeremiah Wright just kept improving each game and had a really good performance against the Cowboys. Starting might not be out of the question this season. His spot was expected.
Behind him, Easton Kilty is a decent depth player with potential, William Sherman took over the backup center role, and Asim Richards is just tackle depth. Although I do think the Saints could move on from Richards, a player would need to be coming in before that happens.
DE (6): Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Anfernee Jennings, Tyree Wilson, and Michael Heldman
Nothing changes for this group in my prediction. I already believed the Saints would bring 6 edge rushers onto the 53-man roster, and I do think that happens. Wilson had a quiet offseason, but made some plays in the last preseason game. For Heldman, he had some shining moments throughout the entire preseason and got some really good pressures/sacks. The Saints should not risk letting him go.
DT (6): Christen Miller, Vernon Broughton, Nathan Shepherd, Davon Godchaux, John Ridgeway III, and Myles Cole
A lot has changed here due to injuries and some releases, which is why I think the Saints also bring 6 players here. That extra spot was either going to Myles Cole or Jay’Viar Suggs, and it was difficult to choose, but I ended up going with Cole.
LB (5): Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stalbird, and Jaylan Ford
It’s going to be very interesting to see if the Saints bring 5 or 4 LBs onto the 53-man roster, but with how Ford has done in training camp and preseason, he must be in consideration. For my prediction, I do think the Saints bring him, especially with this room being a bit of a worry going into the season.
CB (4): Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Martin Emerson, and Jayden Price
Do I like bringing only 4 corners? Absolutely not, but who else has proven themselves to get onto the roster? Price and Emerson have struggled at times, but have also made really good plays. They are good depth to have if an injury occurs and on special teams. The one surprise player on the outside is Isaac Yiadom, but his preseason was not good.
S (5): Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden, and Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Styles is injured, and if he starts on the IR, I could see the Saints bring someone else in this group, but I do think he could be good to go. Styles Jr. has shown the ability to bounce back from injury, and roster-wise, will be a major contributor on special teams.
ST (3): Daniel Carlson, Ryan Wright, and Zach Wood
Well, I didn’t think Daniel Carlson would be in New Orleans, but here we are. He clearly won the competition against the Cowboys, hitting the game-winning FG and being perfect on the day.
