Predicting the New Orleans Saints' 53-man roster after minicamp, OTAs

How many rookies will make the team? The New Orleans Saints have entered their summer break after minicamp and OTAs wrapped up, and we learned a lot from the handful of practice sessions that were open to the media. And we’re using that information to predict the 53-man roster. Last season, the Saints added a couple of players on waivers from other teams during roster cuts, and they also pulled off a few trades to reinforce weak areas of their depth chart. We may see that again in Year 2 of their rebuild under head coach Kellen Moore. But for now, we’re limiting our scope to the players already on the team. Let’s get to it.

Quarterbacks (2)

1. Tyler Shough

2. Spencer Rattler

Roster cuts: Zach Wilson, Hunter Dekkers

No surprise here. Rattler has put a gap between himself and Wilson after it looked like a competition was brewing, but Shough is the unquestioned starter. Dekkers is a good choice to return to the practice squad for another season. Short of a surprise Brendan Sorsby pick in the supplemental draft or Wilson lighting it up at training camp, this group feels settled.

Running backs (5)

1. Travis Etienne Jr.

2. Alvin Kamara

3. Devin Neal

4. Audric Estime

5. Kendre Miller

Roster cuts: CJ Donaldson (rookie), Ty Chandler

Is Neal a lock to make this team? Any of the bottom three running backs might not make the cut and we wouldn’t be surprised. He and Miller are both returning from season-ending injuries and Estime was productive but not spectacular down the stretch (or else they wouldn’t have paid Etienne so much money). It feels likelier that the Saints keep four running backs, not five, but at this point it’s too close to call.

Tight ends (4)

1. Juwan Johnson

2. Noah Fant

3. Oscar Delp (rookie)

4. Moliki Matavao

Roster cuts: Treyton Welch, Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Cody Hardy (rookie)

The Saints may only keep three tight ends here, but Matavao seems to have made big strides after spending a season on the practice squad. If he can block well and compete for a role on special teams he just might make the roster outright. Welch had more highlight reel-worthy catches but his overall game isn’t as refined. Hardy looks like an obvious practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.

Offensive line (9)

• Left tackle: Kelvin Banks Jr.

• Left guard: David Edwards

• Center: Erik McCoy, Torricelli Simpkins III

• Right guard: Cesar Ruiz, Dillon Radunz, Jeremiah Wright (rookie)

• Right tackle: Taliese Fuaga, Alex Wollschlaeger (rookie)

Roster cuts: Asim Richards, Easton Kilty, Barry Wesley, Xavier Truss, William Sherman, Alan Herron (rookie)

Radunz can back up both guard spots and would be the sixth man active on Sundays. This might be a redshirt year for Wright. Wollschlaeger and Herron led the rookie free agent class in guarantees and should be expected to make the roster, or at least return on the practice squad. For now we’ll give an edge to Wollschlaeger given his greater college experience. Call it a bold prediction but if Wollschlaeger can block on the left side h could push Richards off the roster, too.

Wide receivers (6)

1. Chris Olave

2. Jordyn Tyson (rookie)

3. Devaughn Vele

4. Ja’Lynn Polk

5. Ronnie Bell

6. Bryce Lance (rookie)

Roster cuts: Barion Brown (rookie), Trey Palmer, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means, Brock Rechsteiner (rookie), Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Tyler Shough keeps lumping Polk in with Olave, Tyson, and Vele as his top four wideouts so we’ll run with that until we’re given a reason not to. Brown could make the team as a returns ace and utility player but for now we’re giving Bell an edge after his strong spring. Lance was drafted highly enough to be safe during roster cuts but he’s made enough catches at practice to earn it, too.

Special teams (3)

• Punter: Ryan Wright

• Kicker: Tanner Brown

• Long snapper: Zach Wood

Roster cuts: Charlie Smyth

Brown is a more accomplished kicker than Smyth between his college experience and big performance in the UFL, so we’ll guess he wins this competition. But it’s a battle that should play out throughout the preseason.

Edge rushers (4)

1. Chase Young

2. Carl Granderson

3. Cameron Jordan

4. Anfernee Jennings

Roster cuts: Chris Rumph II, Tyree Wilson, Michael Heldman (rookie), Fadil Diggs, Myles Cole

Rumph has five years of NFL experience, so the Saints can release him during roster cuts and bring him back to the practice squad without testing waivers. He’s a player they value for his versatility and veteran presence on a young defense. Jennings seems to be ahead of Wilson and Heldman, for now, but some dynamic pass-rushing reps in the preseason could decide that fourth roster spot.

Defensive line (5)

• Nose: Christian Miller (rookie), John Ridgeway III

• Ends: Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton

Roster cuts: Davon Godchaux, Khristian Boyd, Jay’Viar Suggs (rookie), Keeshawn Silver (rookie), Zxavian Harris (rookie)

Is this a hot take? If Miller is ready to start in September, Godchaux could be out of here after he was benched in Week 18. The Saints haven’t touched his contract and could save some money by letting him go, too. Harris signing as a rookie free agent excited a lot of fans but he wasn’t guaranteed anything and is still recovering from foot surgery. Maybe he starts on the PUP list and works his way back.

Linebackers (5)

1. Kaden Elliss

2. Pete Werner

3. Danny Stutsman

4. Isaiah Stalbird

5. Jaylan Ford

Roster cuts: Jackson Sirmon

Sirmon and Ford seem to be battling for that final roster spot, and it’s possible they both make the team if the Saints choose to go thinner somewhere else. Making plays on special teams will be vital for each of them. Whether it’s Werner or Stutsman starting at the other inside linebacker spot, Elliss has locked down one of the two starting jobs. The days of a seven-man linebacker corps might be behind us.

Safeties (4)

1. Justin Reid

2. Julian Blackmon

3. Terrell Burgess

4. Jordan Howden

Roster cuts: Elliott Davison

This is pretty much the same group as last year, but with Jonas Sanker manning the slot in nickel personnel. Blackmon has an edge on his competition to start next to Reid but must prove he can stay healthy after a couple of injury-plagued seasons.

Star (1)

1. Jonas Sanker

Roster cuts: Jayden Price, Beanie Bishop

Star, nickel, slot, whatever you want to call it — it’ll be Sanker guarding Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kyle Pitts early this season. Price is a good pick to return on the practice squad as a backup, but Bishop must serve a three-game suspension to start the year.

Cornerbacks (5)

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry

2. Quincy Riley

3. Isaac Yiadom

4. Martin Emerson Jr.

5. Lorenzo Styles Jr. (rookie)

Roster cuts: Rejzohn Wright, Dalys Beanum, TJ Hall (rookie)

Being drafted in the seventh round isn’t enough to promise Hall a roster spot, so he must show out over the summer and make a strong case for himself. Styles has clear upside on special teams and the Saints signed Emerson after the draft with the expectation that he could compete for a starting job. This is going to be a tough group to whittle down.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Predicting the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster after minicamp, OTAs