The roster cuts deadline has passed and the New Orleans Saints are at risk of losing some players they let go when other teams line up and scour the waiver wire. Between former draft picks and starters, here are six of the most notable Saints roster cuts who may have an opportunity elsewhere in the league rather than returning to the practice squad for 2026.
WR Bub Means
Means, a former fifth-round pick back in 2024 by the Saints, has been held back by injury in his two seasons with New Orleans, unfortunately. Despite that, when he was on the field, he made a strong impact in those games; in seven matchups, he had 9 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, catching 60% of his targets. With wide receiver being a bit of a weak point around the league, especially
in quality depth, Means could find a landing spot elsewhere and make his name known sooner rather than later.
DL Jay'Viar Suggs
Suggs, an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, looked to really find some momentum in the third preseason game this year for New Orleans. He was able to take on multiple key double teams and, alongside Christen Miller, looked to be a gap-closing force on the interior. While the Saints' interior group is quite full at the moment, Suggs will likely receive some interest on the waiver wire in the coming hours to days.
WR Ronnie Bell
In the first two games of the preseason this year, Bell did not get a whole lot of opportunities, picking up a single reception on four targets for 7 yards in two matchups. However, game three was a breakout one for him, posting 6 receptions for 65 yards on 7 targets, finding his footing in the offensive scheme and showing he could compete. Unfortunately, the Saints WR group has a lot of names to try and filter through, but Bell should latch on elsewhere given his game three success, unless he wishes to return and continue on the momentum with Kellen Moore.
OL Xavier Truss
Truss was put in this exact same scenario last offseason, signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, being waived on August 25, then being claimed by the Saints. New Orleans moved him to guard instead of tackle, and he looked solid in his preseason reps, but in a deep offensive line room, he was one of the odd men out. While a return to the practice squad is possible, he may find a good landing place elsewhere, now showing strides as a guard.
K Charlie Smyth
IPP kicker Charlie Smyth ended up landing the Saints starting kicker job by the end of last season, and initially looked like the incumbent for 2026. Unfortunately, inconsistency in camp held him back and forced New Orleans to pick up two-time All-Pro Daniel Carlson, who won the job immediately. While Smyth was designated for release, not a waiver, he could find the opportunity to sign elsewhere in a kicker-shortened league, or he could return to the practice squad and continue his development there.
IOL Torricelli Simpkins III
Simpkins has had an interesting career development arc, looking very promising as an undrafted free agent in the 2025 preseason, and then even getting some reps during the regular season due to injuries on the depth chart at guard. However, with David Edwards and Jeremiah Wright entering the fold this offseason, he was moved to center and did not look as effective there in 71 snaps this preseason. A guard-needy team may certainly look to add him and try to revert him to the form we saw last fall.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 6 Saints players who could be claimed by other teams on waivers
