That's a wrap for the New Orleans Saints' preseason slate. The Saints leave August with one victory in games that don't count towards the playoffs, but do count towards formatting the initial 53-man roster.
There will be plenty of moving and shaking over the next couple of weeks. I've made my best attempt to predict the 53-man to begin the regular season. Keep in mind that the roster will likely look different after waiver claims are made.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener
OUT: N/A
The skinny: Carr is the starter. For my money, Rattler should be the backup. We will see if the Saints agree with that sentiment. Expect all three to be on the active roster to begin 2024.
Running back (3)
IN: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kende Miller (IR), Jordan Mims
OUT: Jacob Kibodi, James Robinson
The skinny: This is a tougher one. Kibodi impressed in the preseason but narrowly misses the cut. New Orleans would probably hope to keep he and Robinson on their practice squad.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, A.T. Perry, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown
OUT: Samson Nacua, Mason Tipton, Stanley Morgan Jr, Shaq Davis
The skinny: The last spot here may be the most cloudy projection. St. Brown had a nice final preseason matchup, but New Orleans has praised Nacua and Morgan during the preseason, too. Tipton was a camp star but is dealing with an injury still.
Tight end (4)
IN: Taysom Hill(TE/FB), Foster Moreau, Juwan Johnson, Dallin Holker
OUT: Mason Fairchild, Michael Jacobson, Kevin Rader
The skinny: Saints keep four options here, but Jacobson would be the next man up. He flashed occasionally throughout training camp and is a willing blocker. Hill is a unique weapon, and Holker was great in camp and his lone preseason game.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Taliese Fuaga, Trevor Penning, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Shane Lemieux, Kyle Hergel, Oli Udoh, Lucas Patrick, Landon Young, Josiah Ezirim, Nick Saldiveri (IR)
OUT: Jesse Davis, Mark Evans II, Tremayne Anchrum, Sincere Haynesworth
The skinny: New Orleans keeps a bulk of options here because of their lack of clarity for starters. We will see if Udoh or Penning starts at RT to begin the regular season. I say Patrick starts at left guard. Ezirim is the biggest coin flip here.
Defensive line (8)
IN: Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Khristian Boyd, Khalen Saunders, Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, Tanoh Kpassagnon (IR)
OUT: Isaiah Foskey, Jack Heflin, Kendall Vickers
The skinny: First major surprise here with Foskey. He was a second-rounder in 2023, but he's been invisible. The preseason did him no favors. Major disappointment so far. New Orleans should not keep him on the active roster if they want their best options available.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay Jr., Anfernee Orji, Khaleke Hudson, Jaylan Ford (IR), Nephi Sewell (IR)
OUT: Mike Rose, D'Marco Jackson, Monty Rice
The skinny: I could see Jackson opening on IR as he deals with an injury. The Saints still like him as depth. Orji deserves a spot, and Hudson is a nice, versatile piece on defense and special teams.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Rico Payton, Shemar Jean-Charles
OUT: Rejzohn Wright, Mac McCain, Kaleb Ford-Dement, Ugo Amadi
The skinny: This one is pretty clear to me, too. Maybe they also keep Wright, but he left their final preseason matchup banged up. Payton balled out in preseason play and deserves a nod. Amadi or Jean-Charles makes it, in my opinion.
Safety (5)
IN: Jordan Howden, Tyrann Mathieu, J.T. Gray, Johnathan Abram, Will Harris
OUT: Roderic Teamer, Millard Bradford
The skinny: Teamer or Harris/Abram will be a debate, but they like Harris' versatility and experience. Abram knows the playbook quite well, also.
Specialists (3)
IN: Blake Grupe, Lou Hedley, Zach Wood, Charlie Smyth (IR)
OUT: Matt Hayball
The skinny: The Saints ultimately go with what they know here. Smyth is currently dealing with a groin injury, so maybe he starts on the injury list. Regardless, he can return to the practice squad with an International Player Pathway exemption. Hayball arguably outplayed Hedley in preseason play, but New Orleans has consistently backed Hedley.
