Roster cuts are quickly approaching, and the New Orleans Saints will have to trim their roster down from 90 players to the initial 53 man roster. While typically promoted as a final roster, there will be changes to the team before the season starts.
The Saints have some injuries that still require a decision to be made, and that's one of the more difficult decisions to make. The guessing game on injuries has great sway on the team's construction, as you will see.
There are some easy calls that don't need explanation. At the same time, the bottom of the roster involves some coin flips. I'll give my 53 man projection and some context into what was going through my brain through the process.
Final Saints 53 man roster projection
Offense
Quarterback (3): Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, Jake Haener
Running Back (4): Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Velus Jones Jr
Wide Receiver (5): Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Devaugh Vele, Mason Tipton
Tight End (3): Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll, Treyton Welch
Offensive Line (8): Kelvin Banks Jr., Trevor Penning, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Dillon Radunz, Toricelli Simpkins II, Shane Lemieux
Analysis: Devin Neal returned from injury days prior to the final preseason game and made the most of his one chance. The stats are good, but the eye test was even better for the rookie out of Kansas. In one game, he did what Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Cam Akers couldn't do and that's snatch the third running back role. Neal solidified a roster spot in that final game.
The addition of Vele made wide receiver much simpler. Had the Saints not made that trade, you likely would have seen Cedrick Wilson II join the unit. One person to watch at that position is Dante Pettis. If the Saints like him as a returner, he may push them to keep a sixth wide receiver.
One of the harder calls here was guessing how bad Landon Young's injury is. Having the cart come out is a bad visual. Assuming it's long-term, I kept Young off for purely health reasons. If he's healthy enough to make the roster, then he will. That's a position where the Saints will scour the waiver wire. The Saints need a backup tackle, and that's what Young was supposed to be. Expect an addition to the offensive line depth soon.
Defense
Defensive Line (5): Bryan Bresee, Nahtan Shepherd, Davon Godchaux, Khristian Boyd, Vernon Broughton
Edge (5): Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan, Chris Rumph, Fadil Diggs
Linebacker (6): Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Nephi Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Isaiah Stalbird,
Cornerback (6): Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alontae Taylor, Isaac Yiadom, Quincy Riley, Ugo Amadi, Rejzohn Wright
Safety (5): Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jonas Sanker, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray
Analysis: Khristian Boyd had a couple of standout moments and showed much better pass rush moves than he did in his rookie year. The new system also fits his play style better as a true nose tackle. Once Khalen Saunders was traded, it looked like Boyd would be on the roster. He responded to the trade with a strong finale, which likely cemented his place.
Keeping Landon Young off the roster gave a little bit of flexibility on defense. Because of it, I was able to keep an extra linebacker. That may be the hardest position on the team to cut down. The choice between Stalbird, Sewell, Jackson and Jaylan Ford will be tough. It feels like the top two would be Stalbird and Sewell, but the injury let me put Jackson on the initial roster as well. This number should drop once the Saints add another offensive lineman.