Garic: Here's how I see Saints 53-man roster breaking down after preseason opener

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Here we are just two weeks away from the Saints trimming their roster down to 53, but we don’t have to wait that long to take a shot at it.

This is my projection on how that roster might look.

QUARTERBACK (2)
- Jameis Winston
- Andy Dalton

Jameis Winston is the starter and Andy Dalton will serve as his backup. Ian Book will be the odd man out. I know the Saints drafted him in the 4th round last year, but as poorly as he’s played in the preseason, I don’t think the Saints have to worry about a team scooping Book up on waivers. I expect he’ll land on the practice squad for this season.

RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACK (4)
- Alvin Kamara
- Mark Ingram
- Dwayne Washington
- Adam Prentice

Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are locks to make this roster. Dwayne Washington is an important part of the equation here because of his prowess on special teams. Adam Prentice will serve as the team’s loan fullback. Abram Smith would be a prime candidate for the practice squad.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
- Michael Thomas
- Jarvis Landry
- Chris Olave
- Marquez Callaway
- Deonte Harty

Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, and Marquez Callaway all make this team. Deonte Harty also makes this team because of his ability as a return man. The odd man out is going to be Tre’Quan Smith. A former 3rd-round draft pack. Smith has not logged a full healthy season since entering the league in 2018. I think Dai’Jean Dixon will head to the practice squad.

TIGHT END (4)
- Adam Trautman
- Nick Vannett
- Taysom Hill
- Lucas Krull

Nick Vannett, Adam Trautman, and Taysom HIll are the top three in this group. I think Lucas Krull is another player to add in this group. The UDFA tight end has impressed at times in camp. Juwan Johnson is another player I see as the odd man out at his position. Still, I could see the Saints opting to keep the more experienced player while stashing Krull on the practice squad.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
- James Hurst
- Andrus Peat
- Erik McCoy
- Caesar Ruiz
- Ryan Ramczyk
- Trevor Penning
- Landon Young
- Nick Martin
- Calvin Throckmorton

James Hurst, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Caesar Ruiz, and Ryan Ramczyk will be the starting group up front. Rookie Trevor Penning along with second-year tackle Landon Young will remain. Nick Martin is your backup center, so he stays. Finally, some depth is had by keeping Calvin Throckmorton at guard. The decision to keep just two quarterbacks allows the Saints to carry an extra offensive lineman if they so choose, and I think they will.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)
- Cam Jordan
- Marcus Davenport
- Payton Turner
- Carl Granderson
- Tanoh Kpassagnon
- David Onyemata
- Shy Tuttle
- Kentavius Street
- Malcolm Roach

The top eight names on the list above feel firmly on the roster. The only name I see as in question would be Malcolm Roach, but he’s been impressive in camp and I see him making it on there in the end.

LINEBACKERS (6)
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Chase Hansen
- Andrew Dowell
- Kaden Elliss
- Jon Bostic

Demario Davis, Pete Werner are the only two real locks from the list above. Chase Hansen arrived earlier this month and played well in the preseason opener against the Texans. The Saints also signed veteran Jon Bostic, and I think he’ll be a welcome addition. The questions boil down to a few players. Andrew Dowell should make this team based on his contributions in the kicking game. What about Kaden Ellis? He’s close, but I see him as on this team. That would leave Zack Baun, a 3rd-round pick from 2020, as the odd man out. Baun just doesn’t seem to fit in this defense. He is a box, run-stuffing linebacker but doesn’t play well enough in space to justify keeping him around.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)
- Marshon Lattimore
- Paulson Adebo
- Bradley Roby
- Alontae Taylor
- Marcus Maye
- Tyrann Mathieu
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- P.J. Williams
- J.T. Gray
- Daniel Sorenson
- Justin Evans

This is a robust group to trim down. The Saints have an abundance of talent in the secondary, headlined by Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo at outside cornerback. Bradley Roby and Alontae Taylor round out the CB portion of the roster. From there, Marcus Maye, Tyrann Mathieu, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and P.J. Williams are locks at safety. JT Gray is another lock due to his status as an All-Pro special teams contributor. That brings us to nine DB, but I think there’s room for two more. Daniel Sorensen, another key special teams contributor, makes the roster in my eyes, with Justin Evans snagging the final spot. Evans is a former 2nd-round pick by Tampa Bay out of Texas A&M. He battled injuries in two seasons with the Buccaneers and has not played since 2020. He is a high-risk, high-reward player that I think makes sense to keep around.

SPECIALISTS (3)
- K Wil Lutz
- P Blake Gillikin
- LS Zach Wood

There is no debate necessary when it comes to this group.