The first week of the preseason is over and done with, with the New Orleans Saints battling the Los Angeles Chargers in SoFi Stadium. Some players stepped up, and some others saw their stock fall in the 27-13 loss.
Not all starters were playing in the game. The team's top two wide receivers, Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, and their starting center, Erick McCoy were held out. Additionally, notable defensive stars did not play, including linebacker Demario Davis and edge Cameron Jordan.
With starters out of the game, this gave some players deeper on the depth chart a chance to prove themselves. We'll take a look at three players who failed to take advantage of that opportunity.
Saints players whose stock fell
Isiaiah Foskey
Leading Notre Dame in career sacks (with 26.5), defensive end Isiah Foskey had high expectations when he was taken in the second round of the 2023 draft. However, he has so far failed to impress and is at risk of not making the final 53-man roster. Since being drafted, he's played in 27 games and has only managed to gather 25 tackles and one pass defended.
So heading into the preseason, it's crucial for him that he make a splash and remind the team why they selected him so high. But unfortunately for him, he did a whole lot of nothing in his first opportunity against the Chargers, despite playing from start to finish.
Dillion Radunz
First giving up a sack on one side, then lining up wrong on the other (which then led to an illegal formation penalty), Dillion Radunz had a horrible day at both left and right tackle. To make matters worse, the first sack he allowed resulted in a fumble.
Although it's important to note that he is expected to be an interior lineman, his less than impressive performance on Sunday afternoon is sure to not do him any favors. Radunz has show flexibility in the past. If the preseason opener was any indication, he won't have that flexibility
Dante Pettis
Dante Pettis, who was a return specialist/wide receiver for the Saints in 2024, probably hopes to spend a second straight year in New Orleans. However, in a crowded WR room that's bound to see some cuts as the roster is trimmed down to 53, that's not a guarantee. On Sunday afternoon, he failed to do anything that would make him stand out, which makes a two-year stint in the Crescent City even less likely for him.
Gathering 25 yards on two receptions, he unfortunately failed to stand out on offense. Additionally, he did not impress as a returner, gaining eight return yards on two punts. Heading into this next week, it's key for him that he puts the subpar performance behind him.