3 Saints rookies looking ready to contribute in year one

On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints kicked off the 2024 preseason with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. While it’s always great to build the habit of winning, the preseason is about performances. With guys fighting for roster spots and depth chart positioning, preseason games are just scrimmages for evaluation.

Everyone was eager to evaluate the rookies. The Saints have a few rookies who are being placed in important spots. Fortunately, the young guys impressed in their first action and look ready to contribute during their first season.

Saints rookies that impressed against the Cardinals

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

With Marshon Lattimore sidelined with a hip injury, rookie corner Kool-Aid McKinstry got the starting opportunity. Just as he’s done in practice, McKinstry looked good, making multiple plays throughout the game. Early in the action, he recorded a pass breakup and a first-down-preventing tackle.

Obviously, the hope is Lattimore will be healthy for the regular season, and remain the starter opposite of Paulson Adebo. However, New Orleans will benefit from having a player like McKinstry that provides depth and an impactful rotational piece.

LT Taliese Fuaga

Taliese Fuaga was the first-round selection for the Saints this year, and he was immediately placed in the starting lineup. The rookie lineman is starting at the important position of left tackle. While the offensive line as a whole has question marks, Fuaga had a solid debut.

The rookie tackle had quality reps run blocking and protecting the passer. It wasn’t a flawless day, but that’s not expected of him. However, he does look like someone the team will be able to rely on for the season. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for all lineman.

QB Spencer Rattler

The player Saints fans were most excited to see was undoubtedly Spencer Rattler. The rookie quarterback has been a fan favorite since he got drafted, and fortunately, he didn’t let the fan base down on Saturday.

As soon as Rattler entered the game, he delivered a beautiful pass that fell incomplete because of a pass interference call. After the penalty helped New Orleans move down the field, Rattler capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run.

He ultimately finished the game completing 9-of-17 passes for 70 yards, along with a two-minute drive that set up the game-winning kick for the Saints. Rattler won’t be the starter come Week 1, and it’s not even clear if he’ll be QB2, however, he definitely had an encouraging debut.

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