The New Orleans Saints training camp is officially underway, which means fans will get their first look at the contenders to make the initial 53-man roster. This process won’t be fully decided in training camp and will be ongoing through the preseason. But this is the current outlook for it.
It’s important to note that plenty will change throughout training camp and the preseason, and not every factor is visible to the public. However, this is currently what I see the Saints’ roster being after these next few weeks.
Having said that, it’s time to get into my Saints’ initial 53-man roster prediction.
Saints follow the same 2 QB blueprint with Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler
QB (2)- Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler
There’s no question about the top two options. Tyler Shough is the starter and Spencer Rattler is the backup.Â
However, the intrigue is whether veteran Zach Wilson will make the roster. As of now, the former second-overall pick is on the outside looking in, but a strong training camp and preseason could change that.
4 HB- Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller
Like quarterback, nobody is touching the top two players. The Saints signed Travis Etienne and brought back Alvin Kamara to be their primary contributors.
Outside of that, it gets interesting as three backs are seemingly vying for two positions. In my opinion, the versatility of Devin Neal and the pure explosiveness, even with significant injury risk, of Kendre Miller set them apart from Audric Estime.
Despite this, it’s still anyone’s race. Injuries have plagued both Neal and Miller in the NFL; all it takes is one during training camp or the preseason to knock them out of contention and open up a lane for Estime to make the roster.
6 WR- Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, DeVaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Ja’Lynn Polk, Barrion Brown
This position seems fairly set in stone. Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, and DeVaughn Vele are an explosive trio who will be Tyler Shough’s main weapons.
Additionally, Bryce Lance and Ja’Lynn Polk are two high-upside players who will be excellent depth pieces. Both are under 25 years old and could be not only impactful this season, but for the foreseeable future. Barring any major updates, they seem fairly certain to make the roster.
The last receiver is where it gets tougher. What separates Barrion Brown from Mason Tipton, Bub Means, Brock Rechsteiner, and Kevin Austin Jr. is his prowess on special teams as a dynamic kick/punt returner. As a result, the rookie has a major advantage and is the frontrunner for the spot.
3 TE- Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp
There’s almost no question about this group. Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, and Oscar Delp are the clear top three players and have little competition elsewhere.
2025 seventh-round pick Moliki Matavao could potentially make the roster if Kellen Moore takes four tight ends, but that is highly doubtful. As a result, he and the other tight ends are likely battling for a practice squad position.
9 OL- Kelvin Banks, David Edwards, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Jeremiah Wright, Dillon Radunz, Toricelli Simpkins, Asim Richards
The starting five plus Jeremiah Wright and Dillon Radunz are almost guaranteed to make the roster. Wright’s seen as the long-term replacement at right guard, and Radunz can provide valuable depth at a variety of positions.
After that, it gets debatable. Toricelli Simpkins has the versatility to play center, which is enticing with Erik McCoy’s injury history, so there’s a definite path for him to make the roster. But he still has to earn it and prove it’s worth taking him instead of another tackle.
For the tackle depth, Asim Richards holds the slight lead. The Saints traded for him last offseason, and he ended up playing 363 snaps between right tackle and left. Outside of him, there aren’t any established backup tackles, so it’s his job to lose.
4 DT- Bryan Bresee, Christen Miller, Vernon Broughton, Zxavian Harris
Bryan Bresee, Christen Miller, and Vernon Broughton are written in pen, but it gets murky after them.
My dark-horse contender to make the roster is Zxavian Harris. The six-foot-eight undrafted free agent has been injured so far this offseason, but will be fully healthy in training camp. His surprising movement skills, potential as a three-down player, and special teams impact make him a breakout star who will contend for a spot.
Beyond him, it’s a crowded group, meaning the battle will be closely contested. Veterans Davon Godcheaux, Nathan Shepherd, Khristian Boyd, and John Ridgeway III will all contend for the fourth spot.
It’s entirely possible that five defensive tackles could make the roster. However, it’s going to be tough for Kellen Moore to warrant giving up a spot at a different position. Still, if two prospects stand out, he might be forced to keep both.
6 DE- Chase Young, Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tyree Wilson, Anfernee Jennings, Chris Rumph
Chase Young, Cameron Jordan, and Carl Granderson all have clear paths toward the roster. Additionally, trade acquisition and former seventh-overall pick Tyree Wilson is likely to make it, barring an injury or extremely poor performance.
The Saints signed Anfernee Jennings this offseason because of his prowess against the run and ability to set the edge. As a result, it’s hard to see a lane where he doesn’t make the initial roster. But, stranger things have happened, and he must prove he belongs to a new coaching staff.
Chris Rumph barely made the cut in this mock as my final addition to the roster. He has experience in Staley’s system and was decent for the Saints last season, which is his saving grace. He must have a productive training camp and preseason to make it again.
5 LB- Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Jaylan Ford, Isaiah Stalbird
This is another group that’s pretty cut and dried. These five players are the clear options and will be on the initial 53-man roster unless they get injured or there’s an unforeseen twist.
It’s an extremely young, unproven group outside of Elliss and Werener, so they have a lot to prove, which starts in training camp. Right now, Ford and Stalbird are viewed as depth/special teams contributors, so their main task over the next few weeks is to show Brandon Staley that they can be more.
5 CB- Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Martin Emerson Jr., Isaac Yiadom, TJ Hall
The top three cornerbacks are solidified, but the gates are wide open after that. The current leaders are veteran Isaac Yiadom and seventh-round pick TJ Hall, but anything can happen.
Beanie Bishop would be on the initial roster, but his three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy puts that in jeopardy.
Additionally, Rezjohn Wright and Jayden Price each have legit chances to do so; however, they need impressive performances to do so. This means they must match up against and limit not only the depth receivers, but also Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson.
It’s important to note that this competition won’t solely be decided by their performance on defense. Someone could single-handedly make it because of their special team prowess. So, don’t count anyone out, even if they struggle for one practice.
1 STAR- Jonas Sanker
Staley’s STAR position, a hybrid between a linebacker, slot cornerback, and safety, was left vacant after Alontae Taylor left in free agency. Now, Jonas Sanker is in line to transition from safety to it. He will undoubtedly make the roster here; the only question is how he performs and if he looks comfortable in the new spot.
5 S- Â Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden, Lorenzo Styles, Terrell Burgess
Once again, there aren’t any major battles at safety. The top five are all clear leaders to make it, and there is little competition outside of them.
The one player whose position is most in jeopardy is Lorenzo Styles. The rookie’s labrum injury and inconsistency on defense leave questions, but his pure speed and excellence on special teams make him likely to make it. Think of him in a JT Gray role, where he rarely sees snaps on defense, but is an ace gunner.
3 ST- Zach Wood, Ryan Wright, Tanner Brown
There’s no question about Zach Wood and Ryan Wright; they each have their positions locked up.
However, there’s a serious kicking competition scheduled for training camp between former UFL kicker Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth. Despite Smyth’s workload last year, Brown is my pick to win the competition because of his track record and experience with the Louisville Kings.
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