New Orleans Saints can’t cut Kirk Merritt after impressive showing

The wide receiver room is deep for the New Orleans Saints but that shouldn’t stop Kirk Merritt from making the final roster. He’s been on fire this summer. 

I’ll admit that when the training camp activities got underway for the New Orleans Saints I didn’t think Kirk Merritt would be in the running to make the 53-man roster when everything was said and done.

Well, that’s why teams don’t make the roster decisions before the preseason gets going. Merritt was flashy all throughout training camp and despite not doing a ton in the opener last week, he shined bright on special teams during the second preseason game in Green Bay.

The brightest moment for Merritt in the game was a 59-yard kickoff return that he had in the first half. This was the kind of juice that Merritt needed to show in the limited preseason action because of how deep the wide receiver room is. He showed that he can make an impact on special teams and we all know how much the Saints value special teams.

New Orleans Saints have to keep Kirk Merritt around.

Obviously, the team is going to keep Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry, and Deonte Harty on the roster at the wide receiver spot but no one else is a guarantee. Marquez Callaway is a nice depth option but could also be a trade candidate. Tre’Quan Smith is a nice blocker but he’s had so many chances to prove himself and hasn’t lived up to the expectations.

Keeping Merritt on the roster over Smith would give NOLA six total players at the position, or they could carry seven receivers if they think Smith’s blocking abilities are that vital for the team.

Nick Underhill tweeted that Merritt probably isn’t clearing waivers and returning to the Saints’ practice squad if the team does decide to waive him and risk that chance. That’s precisely why they can’t let the talented wideout go.

Merritt showed during preseason that he can thrive in a variety of roles and that’s why the New Orleans Saints have to do what it takes to keep him on their 53-man roster.

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