Friday's game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys will be the preseason finale for both teams. Not that preseason records matter one bit, but the Saints come in at 0-2 and fresh off a 34-0 beatdown at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys enter at 2-0, outscoring the Seahawks and Cardinals by a combined 51-20 score.New Orleans and Dallas engaged in an intense joint practice session last week that resulted in multiple fights. Don't expect that kind of behavior on Friday, after each team was heavily fined for their actions by the NFL. However, there is still plenty to pay attention to in this preseason finale. For the Saints, here are the areas of concern to watch for improvement when they take on the Cowboys.
Quarterback
This is the
one that everyone will undoubtedly be watching and critiquing. Neither Spencer Rattler or Zach Wilson have done anything to inspire confidence as a backup to starter Tyler Shough. In two preseason games, Rattler has completed 22 of 34 throws (64.7%) for 183 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception, returned for a 100-yard touchdown. Wilson has 17 completions in 28 attempts (60.7%) for 200 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interception.Rattler continues to be a player who refuses to push the ball downfield, has poor rush awareness, and an inability to read defenses. Wilson continues to look like a major 2021 draft bust, where he was the second overall choice. Can either show something different? This battle still doesn't have a clear leader---bad news for a Saints team in need of at least some competence behind Shough in an emergency.
Offensive line
Like quarterback, this position has been on our watch list for all three preseason games. Also like quarterback, it's with good reason. The Saints have shown a frightening lack of skill through the second and third units up front. Quarterbacks have been under consistent pressure and no running game has been established whatsoever. This line's struggles has made it difficult to evaluate every other position within the offense.
New Orleans will have a solid starting five. The major question is whether the Saints will have any reliable depth. Through the first two preseason games and most of camp, that answer is a resounding no. It's extremely likely that New Orleans brings in several offensive linemen after cutdowns are made through Saturday and Sunday. For perhaps many of the Saints offensive linemen on the field against Dallas, it's their last chance to make a strong enough showing to stick around.
Defensive line
New Orleans has had issues in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the Saints have not consistently stopped the run or been able to provide any interior pass rush. Against the Rams last week, defensive ends Michael Heldman, Fadil Diggs, and Garrett Nelson were virtually invisible after very good showings against the Jaguars.Heldman, Nelson, and Diggs likely need big games against the Cowboys if any are to be retained during roster cutdowns. This is also a pivotal outing for Davon Godchaux, Khristian Boyd, and John Ridgeway III at defensive tackle. The Saints have some depth at edge rusher and defensive end. The same cannot be confidently stated about the defensive tackle spot.
Defensive secondary
Several spots at the back half of the depth chart in the secondary appear up for grabs. Some of these can be won on special teams, but projected backups need to also show that they won't be a defensive liability if pressed into regular season action. Both cornerback and safety need watched, especially after coverage struggles against the Rams. This largely seems to be a question whether veterans can hold off younger players or newly-signed additions. Veterans like Jordan Howden, Isaac Yiadom, and Terrell Burgess are all squarely on the roster bubble. They'll try to hold off first or second-year players like T.J. Hall, Elliott Davison, or Dalys Beanum along with recent signings Michael Davis and David Long Jr. Those eight players are battling for two or perhaps three available spots remaining in the New Orleans secondary.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 4 areas of concern Saints must address in Cowboys preseason finale
