Saints 53-man Roster Prediction 4.0

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Two preseason games are in the books, with the last coming when the New Orleans Saints host the Chargers this Friday. New Orleans opens the regular season on September 11 with a road trip to face their bitter rival, the Atlanta Falcons.

The final cut down to 53-man rosters is on August 30, four days after New Orleans plays the Chargers. There will be plenty of roster shuffling between then and the regular season opener, here is my latest 53-man roster prediction for the New Orleans Saints.

(* = Rookie)


QUARTERBACK (2)
Jameis Winston
Andy Dalton

Second-year QB Ian Book has simply not done nearly enough to earn a spot on the active roster. I believe he’ll be on the outside looking in as coach Dennis Allen uses the opportunity to fill a roster spot at another position. Don’t be surprised at all if Book is re-signed to the practice squad. After starting four different quarterbacks in 2021, they’ll want another arm on the practice squad with some experience in their system.

Dalton is a massive upgrade over last year’s backup, Trevor Siemian. The 34-year-old still has the ability to dissect defenses if given protection and can still drive the ball down the field. He’ll also be a veteran ear and a stabilizing sideline presence for the 28-year-old Winston.

Winston’s foot injury two weeks ago created huge concern, but there’s every reason to believe that the team has held him out of preseason games as only a precaution.

The strong-armed Winston had 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions last year in a limited offense before going down with a knee injury. With another year in the system and surrounded by better weapons, he could put up the best numbers of his career.


RUNNING BACK (5)
Alvin Kamara
Mark Ingram
Tony Jones Jr.
Abram Smith*
Adam Prentice (FB)
(Player to Watch: Dwayne Washington)

It appears as if Kamara may avoid a suspension during the 2022 season for an offseason arrest in Las Vegas. A collective sigh of relief was let out by Saints fans. The 27-year-old Kamara is one of the league’s most dangerous and versatile playmakers. He continues to be the focus of the offense.

The offseason challenge for New Orleans was finding a backfield complement to Kamara. Twelve-year veteran Ingram was brought back in an early season trade last year, but dealt with a knee injury down the stretch. Before getting hurt, he showed that he can still be effective between the tackles. There is still some question whether the 32-year-old Ingram could assume a heavy workload if needed.

Depth was an offseason battle between former undrafted players Tony Jones Jr., rookie Abram Smith, Devine Ozigbo, and special teams ace Washington. All four have had moments in camp, but Jones and Smith have been the most consistent. The third-year Jones has also played well on special teams, something that could push the limited Washington off the roster.

Look for some shuffling at this spot through the early start of the year. It’s also possible that an extra tight end or back, like Washington, is kept over a fullback. Prentice hasn’t been impressive in that role, a tight end could be used as an extra blocker in the backfield, and Pete Carmichael doesn’t use a fullback as often as Sean Payton did.


TIGHT END (3)
Adam Trautman
Taysom Hill
Juwan Johnson
(Players to Watch: Lucas Krull*, Chris Herndon, J.P. Holtz)

Trautman has had the best camp of his three-year career. It remains to be seen whether that carries over into the year. The entire position group was one of the worst in the NFL in 2021. Don’t expect big production out of Trautman or the rest of the unit, but it desperately needs to improve over last season.

There is excitement over the athletic Taysom Hill’s conversion to tight end. Expect Hill to be used much in the same way he was during his first few years, as a versatile mismatch out of the backfield and around the formation. I expect that we’ll rarely see him lined up as a traditional in-line tight end.

Johnson added bulk and is the best pure receiver of the group. Vannett could be retained because of his experience, but he’s added little this training camp after a disappointing 2021. Krull, an undrafted rookie, Herndon, or blocking specialist Holtz could stick on the roster over fullback Prentice, but seem more destined for the practice squad.


WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Michael Thomas
Chris Olave*
Jarvis Landry
Deonte Harty
Marquez Callaway
Kirk Merritt
(Players to Watch: Dai’Jean Dixon*, Kevin White, Tre’Quan Smith)
(Suspended: Kawaan Baker)

The return of Thomas and offseason additions of Landry and first-round pick Olave could make this a dominant passing attack after finishing dead last in 2021. Harty is almost sure to grab a fourth spot because of his explosive return skills and underrated route running ability. After that, it gets a little cloudy.

Third-year WR Callaway led the Saints in receiving yards last year in the absence of an injured Thomas. However, it was the fewest yards for a team leader since 1986. Callaway may not be a featured target, but has the skills to be an effective complementary weapon. His ability to play special teams should also give him the edge over the perpetually disappointing Smith.

Rarely do the Saints keep six wideouts. Given the depth at the position, it seems more likely this year. However, it will almost certainly be a developmental player who can play special teams. Merritt appears to have a slight edge over undrafted rookie Dixon, but both players have had strong camps.


Offensive Line (9)
Ryan Ramczyk
Cesar Ruiz
Erik McCoy
Andrus Peat
James Hurst
Trevor Penning* (T)
Calvin Throckmorton (G)
Landon Young (T)
Lewis Kidd* (G)
(Players to Watch: Derrick Kelly, Josh Andrews, Nick Martin)

The Saints starting five offensive linemen played together for a mere 22 snaps last season because of injuries. Even with the offseason loss of Terron Armstead in free agency, we should see this unit bounce back in a big way.

Hurst looks like he’ll hold off rookie first-round pick Penning for the left tackle job to start the year. Ruiz, entering his third season, has had a solid camp after a disappointing start to his career.

Health and depth are the two concerns about this group. If the often-injured Peat goes down again, will the Saints use Throckmorton or slide Hurst inside and promote Penning? The other second and third teamers have struggled throughout training camp.

Young has had some nice moments, as has Kidd as an undrafted rookie. However, Kelly and Andrews add a bit more versatility if they're kept around. This is a position that we'll see a lot of shuffling at the back half of the depth chart after initial cuts and through the first part of the year.