The New Orleans Saints lost 28-19 to the Denver Broncos to close out the preseason. While the Saints were able to rally back after being down 22-9 early, the Broncos held control of the game once they took a 10-6 lead. Despite going winless, the preseason has been revealing for what the future holds for New Orleans.
Up: The 2025 rookie draft class
The 2025 rookie draft class looks like one of the most promising for New Orleans in a while. This was emphasized on rookie Quincy Riley’s first NFL interception. Third-round defensive
tackle Vernon Broughton made a great play, bursting off the line of scrimmage and hitting Broncos’ quarterback Sam Ehlinger as he tried to hit his running back on a screen, only for it to fall in Riley’s hands instead. The entire team loved the play so much that they would join the fourth-round cornerback in the endzone to celebrate, leading to an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Both Broughton and Riley ended with strong showings, but they weren’t the only rookies to show out. Devin Neal returned from injury and got his first taste of NFL action. His numbers don’t pop off the stat sheet (5 carries for 20 yards and 2 receptions for 10 yards), but it was his bowling ball play style and flashes of potential that likely locked up his roster spot in a tough running back competition.
Safety Jonas Sanker was already coming off a strong day against the Jacksonville Jaguars and continued with an impressive showing on Saturday. Sanker was everywhere on the field and ended the day with 9 total tackles and 6 solo. Rookie Quarterback Tyler Shough wasn’t the most electric against the Broncos’ defense, but he would be the only Saints quarterback to lead the offense to a touchdown. Shough scored on an 11-yard quarterback keeper, showing off his underrated speed.
The most important part of a rebuild is the ability to develop young talent. The team’s success from 2017-2021 is big thanks to their electric 2017 draft class, and while it’s hard to say the 2025 class is anything close to the legendary Saints’ draft class, it appears the team is moving in the right direction.
Up: Blake Grupe
I’m not exaggerating when I say Blake Grupe is in contention for the biggest winner of the preseason for the Saints. Grupe was 2/2 on field goal attempts entering this week with makes from 31 and 51, but showed out against the Broncos, going 3/3 with makes from 48, 49, and 56 yards.
New Orleans brought in competition for Grupe for a third season in a row, and the third-year kicker continues to win the job. The Saints asked Grupe to do a lot during the preseason and will likely require him to put up a bulk of their points heading into the regular season. With a young quarterback set to start for New Orleans, having a reliable kicker who has proven to hit from 50+ consistently will make life easier on whoever wins the job.
Down: QB1 battle
The Saints are the only NFL team not to name a starting quarterback for week 1. Head coach Kellen Moore emphasized making the right decision without rushing the selection, but the rookie head coach likely hoped one of his young signal callers would run away with the job against Denver with a strong showing. Unfortunately for Moore, neither quarterback took control of the job on Saturday.
While Tyler Shough had a strong 77-yard 12-play drive that ended with him scoring a touchdown with his legs from 11 yards out, the rest of his performance was lackluster. Spencer Rattler’s three offensive drives were unexciting as he ended the day throwing 5/8 for 43 yards. Each quarterback has similar passing stats in the preseason, with Shough edging Rattler out with one additional touchdown drive.
The coaching staff will review tape from all three preseason matchups and make their choice for a starting quarterback, but it’s disappointing that the competition will come down to a decision and not from a quarterback separating themself.
Down: Kool-Aid McKinstry
Bo Nix and the Broncos’ starting offense singled out second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in coverage. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton got the best of McKinstry in their matchup and ended the day with 4 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. While Sutton’s touchdown wasn’t with the rising cornerback in coverage, McKinstry was the closest defender for his three other receptions.
McKinstry is expected to take a big step for the Saints in 2025 and will be the team’s CB1. He’s made plenty of strong plays during the preseason, but looked cold in the final game before the regular season. The secondary is one of the biggest questions for New Orleans heading into the season, and a lot relies on McKinstry’s development.
