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Saints: 3 veterans who need to show something in Week 1 of preseason

By Darral Nail

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Cornerback P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after recovering a fumble from the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Cornerback P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after recovering a fumble from the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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P.J. Williams, New Orleans Saints (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
P.J. Williams, New Orleans Saints (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Who Dat Nation will get their first glimpse of the 2021 New Orleans Saints this Saturday when the team travels to Baltimore to battle the Ravens in what will be the first of three preseason contests for coach Sean Payton’s team.

The game will signify the first time in 15 years and two days (5,482 days for those counting along at home) that the Saints will participate in an on-field contest without Drew Brees as the team’s starting quarterback.

Owning one less exhibition game with which to work this year, due to the NFL’s newly configured 17-game regular-season slate, each such contest figures to go a long way toward determining how things will shake out relative to the makeup of the team’s regular-season roster.

This upcoming Saints preseason will feature competition at many levels

While there will be jockeying for starting spots at positions such as wide receiver, defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback – as well as battles for depth chart positioning at quarterback, tight end, and defensive end – the trio of preseason affairs will take on added significance for veterans and rookies alike who are looking to cement a place for themselves when the regular season begins.

While the competition for a spot among the outer-reaches of the team’s 53-man opening day roster figures to consist mostly of first, second and third-year players, we will take a moment to examine three veterans among the Saints current roster, each of whom could stand to benefit from a strong showing in Baltimore.