Saints 53-man roster projection ahead of preseason finale: Big shakeup at LB

This is an updated projection from Jeff Nowak.
We're two-thirds of the way through the Saints' preseason schedule, and most of the roster feels like it's been sorted out.
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But there are still a handful of positions -- particularly linebacker, wide receiver and running back -- that seem to have questions left to answer.

With that in mind, here's my updated 53-man roster projection heading into the preseason finale, when the Saints host the L.A. Chargers on Friday night at the Caesar's Superdome. The full cutdown deadline is Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.
JEFF'S ROSTER PROJECTION, 8/23

QUARTERBACKS (2)

- Jameis Winston

- Andy Dalton

In 2021: 3 kept

NOTES: Nothing has really changed here, though Andy Dalton left with a foot injury from a practice this week. It sounds minor, but it’ll be something to monitor. If there’s a concern he might not be able to go Week 1, this could get interesting.
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS (4)

- Alvin Kamara

- Mark Ingram

- Dwayne Washington

- Tony Jones Jr.

NOTES: I’m very tempted to put Kirk Merritt here after his late-in-camp shift to running back, but I still think Tony Jones Jr. has played well enough to be in that RB4 role, especially considering he’s looked solid on special teams and has shown he can return kicks. But Jones left practice early on Tuesday and that allowed for Merritt to get a lot of reps, and he looks fast, explosive and natural as a running back. I’d like to see it in a game before I make any bold proclamations, but the versatility could be too much to ignore from Kirk in the end.

In 2021: 4 kept

??

?TIGHT END (4)

- Adam Trautman

- Nick Vannett

- Juwan Johnson

- Taysom Hill

In 2021: 4 kept

NOTES: This still hasn’t changed, though there’s now something of a health concern with Adam Trautman, who has missed the last three days of practice after appearing to suffer an injury against the Packers. His spot on the roster is safe, but it does make the next few spots interesting. Vannett, Juwan and Taysom all feel safe, but I think JP Holtz is closer to the bubble than he’s getting credit for. He’d serve in the role of an H/fullback, but it could be another example of positional flexibility winning out. All that said, Juwan has had a good camp and I expect he’ll stick around. It could be Vannett’s position that’s more in question.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)

- Michael Thomas

- Jarvis Landry

- Chris Olave

- Deonte Harty

- Marquez Callaway

- Tre'Quan Smith

In 2021: 5 kept

NOTES: No change here, and Tre’Quan’s status on the roster feels a bit safer with Merritt shifted to running back. The big question will be whether he’s supplanted by Dai’Jean Dixon. I still think Tre has the edge. Dixon has been excellent as a pass-catcher, but he’ll have to make his biggest case on special teams.

?OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

- Ryan Ramczyk

- Andrus Peat

- Erik McCoy

- Cesar Ruiz

- James Hurst

- Trevor Penning

- Calvin Throckmorton

- Landon Young

- Nick Martin

In 2021: 9 kept

NOTES: This list still feels right, though Ruiz, Hurst and Young have been absent the last few days of camp. If those injuries linger there could be another name you have to keep here for the sake of depth. Maybe a Lewis Kidd or a Derrick Kelly?


The rest of the roster on the next post.