Fazende: Saints 53-man roster projection post minicamp

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Saints have officially hit their summer break. In just over five weeks, the team will reconvene in California for training camp. After carefully observing six offseason practices, here’s my latest Saints roster projection.

QB (3)

Derek Carr
Jake Haener
Spencer Rattler

This seems pretty obvious based off the rep distribution during the offseason program. Haener vs Rattler should be one of the more exciting competitions of training camp.

RB (5)

Alvin Kamara
Jamaal Williams
Kendre Miller
Taysom Hill
Adam Prentice

Assuming Kamara’s contract situation gets worked out, this could be how the RB room shakes out. Prentice was a tough one to add because of how much they used Taysom Hill at the fullback position. It’s unclear how they view that role specifically. Another player who flashed during the offseason at running back was Jordan Mims.

WR (5)

Chris Olave
Rashid Shaheed
A.T. Perry
Cedrick Wilson
Bub Means

This group will be interesting to watch develop. Wilson had an underrated offseason and is the veteran of this very young core of wide receivers. Olave looks fantastic in the practices we were able to see this offseason. This could be a position the Saints add at some point. EQ St. Brown had some solid moments as well.

TE (3)

Juwan Johnson
Foster Moreau
Dallin Holker

Johnson’s vague injury status complicates this room. If he can’t practice in training camp, there’s a ton of reps to distribute amongst a relatively small group of players. Holker really stood out in OTAs and minicamp. Another name to consider here is Michael Jacobson, who always seemed to be around the ball.

Offensive Line (9)

Taliese Fuaga
Cesar Ruiz
Erik McCoy
Nick Saldiveri
Trevor Penning
Landon Young
Oli Udoh
Lucas Patrick
Shane Lemieux

The quest to finding the right five up front officially begins in training camp when the pads come one. The minicamp/OTA starting five were: Fuaga, Saldiveri, McCoy, Ruiz and Penning. We put some veteran reserves on this projection. By the time the season starts, they may not be reserves. This projection doesn’t include Ryan Ramczyk. If he returns, then obviously the team will adjust.

Defensive End (5)

Cam Jordan
Payton Turner
Carl Granderson
Chase Young
Isaiah Foskey
*Tanoh Kpassagnon

Kpassagnon is out for a while, thus doesn’t count as part of the 53. The rest of this group is intriguing. Hopefully someone can emerge as a disruptive force off the edge. Last season, that was lost on this defense. Hopefully it can return this season.

Defensive Tackle (4)

Bryan Bresee
Nathan Shepherd
Khalen Saunders
Kristian Boyd

Bresee showed flashes as a rookie, hopefully he makes another leap in year two. Depth at this position could get concerning. Boyd is a sixth-round pick out of Northern Iowa. This could be another spot where they target another veteran.

Linebacker (6)

Demario Davis
Pete Werner
Willie Gay
Nephi Sewell
Jaylan Ford
D’Marco Jackson

This group showed promise throughout May and June. Davis is still Davis, Werner looked great at times and Gay can be a huge asset. Sewell is a player they liked last season before his knee injury. Ford gets on due to his draft status. This could be the last chance for Jackson.

Cornerback (5)

Marshon Lattimore
Paulson Adebo
Alontae Taylor
Kool-Aid McKinistry
Ugo Amadi

This may be the strongest position group on the entire team. Taylor vs McKinistry at nickel may be the best competition of training camp. Amadi adds versatility with his ability to play safety and nickel.

Safety (5)

Tyrann Mathieu
Jordan Howden
Jonathan Abram
Will Harris
JT Gray

Another solid room for the Saints. The biggest question is ultimately starts next to Mathieu. Harris adds versatility at safety, nickel or cornerback. Gray is a special teams beast.

Specialists (3)