Dread it, run from it; the NFL roster cuts deadline is almost here. By 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30, all 32 teams will have reduced their rosters from 90 players to just 53. Dozens of guys are about to lose their jobs. It's a tough business.
But some decisions are easier than others. Sure, a trade can always throw things sideways. Some guys could unexpectedly land on injured reserve for the first four games (or longer). If we're just talking about skill and value on the depth chart, here are the 46 players who are stone-cold locks to make the 53-man roster this weekend:
- QB Tyler Shough
- QB Spencer Rattler
- RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- RB Alvin Kamara
- RB Kendre Miller
- RB Audric Estime
- WR Chris Olave
- WR Devaughn Vele
- WR Bryce Lance
- WR Barion Brown
- TE Juwan Johnson
- TE Noah Fant
- TE Oscar Delp
- OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
- OL David Edwards
- OL Erik McCoy
- OL Cesar Ruiz
- OL Taliese Fuaga
- OL Asim Richards
- OL William Sherman
- OL Jeremiah Wright
- P Ryan Wright
- LS Zach Wood
- DL Vernon Broughton
- DL Christen Miller
- DL Nathan Shepherd
- DL Davon Godchaux
- EDGE Chase Young
- EDGE Carl Granderson
- EDGE Cameron Jordan
- EDGE Anfernee Jennings
- EDGE Tyree Wilson
- LB Kaden Elliss
- LB Pete Werner
- LB Danny Stutsman
- LB Jaylan Ford
- LB Isaiah Stalbird
- S Justin Reid
- S Jonas Sanker
- S Julian Blackmon
- S Jordan Howden
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
- CB Quinccy Riley
- CB Martin Emerson Jr.
- CB Isaac Yiadom
- CB Jayden Price
A couple of guys should also be seen as safe picks to round out the initial 53-man roster; veterans like safety Terrell Burgess and defensive lineman John Ridgeway III, or backup
quarterback Zach Wilson. It sure looks like Daniel Carlson has won the kicking competition but we aren't out of the woods yet. Of the players managing injuries, the likeliest to start the season on IR could be wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) and defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf), both rookie draft picks. They would both make the team if healthy.
Having 46, maybe 47 spots locked in means there's still a half-dozen or so vacancies up for grabs. Let's see how it plays out as trade rumors, free agent visits, and waiver claims begin to pick up.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: These 46 New Orleans Saints players are locks for the 53-man roster
