Fazende: Saints 53-man roster projection post minicamp
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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)
- Blake Grupe
- Lou Hedley
- Zach Wood
Sticking with the incumbents in this projection, but both Grupe and Hedley will face stiff competition for their jobs.
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