The battle for the final spot in New Orleans Saints wide receiver room was one to watch, especially after Jordyn Tyson suffered an injury that likely put him on short term injury reserve to start the season. It's unlikely they keep just four receivers on the roster. After waiving Ronnie Bell and Bub Means Saturday evening, it appears the battle is coming down to Kevin Austin Jr. and Trey Palmer.
Waiving Means this early was a surprise because he had the strongest game of the preseason among wide receivers. He recorded four receptions for 77 yards, including impressive catches for 37 and 28 yards, against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the preseason opener. That performance made it seem like he put himself firmly in the conversation for a roster spot, making waiving him even more unexpected.
With Means out of the picture, the Saints have a clear group of receivers who appear to have their roster spots secured. Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lane, and Barion Brown are the five receivers who look like the safest bets to make the team. That leaves the remaining roster spots up for grabs, making the battle for the final receiver spots even more important as New Orleans prepares to make its final cuts.
New Orleans Saints final WR spot could be the toughest roster decision
Kellen Moore knows how tough this decision is, and waiving Bell and Means is just part one. After the final game, Moore said "these are challenging games. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made after this game. Everyone knows that, but for our guys to lock in and just play with really good effort I'm just really proud of them".
Going into the offseason, many fans viewed Trey Palmer and Ja’lynn Polk as strong candidates to secure the final receiver spot on the roster. Both entered training camp with NFL experience and the potential to provide New Orleans with depth behind its top receivers.
Palmer’s speed and ability as a return option made him an intriguing piece, and he also made a couple of solid plays in the first preseason game. Meanwhile Polk brought size and the potential to develop into a reliable outside target.
Austin's size and physicality give him a different skill set compared to his fellow receiving competitors. Austin has shown enough in training camp and during the preseason to remain in the conversation, and with roster decisions approaching, Austin will have to rely on what he’s already produced to separate himself from the competition.
Whoever earns the final receiver spot could have a bigger role than expected this season. With Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and several rookies making up the core, the Saints could lean on their final wideout more often than a traditional sixth receiver. Whoever wins the job will be a reliable piece of the Saints offense.
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