The Saints as well as every other team in the league have until August 30th to get their rosters down to 53 players. There are going to be tough decisions for the Saints to make. With the Saints roster so deep in depth and talent it’ll be interesting how the Saints appraoch guys like Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Daniel Sorensen, and a few other guys. The top one is probably what to do with Kirk Merritt.
The Saints have already begun the process of waiving and cutting players.
Cut tracker
The Saints already began roster cuts on Sunday with the following players being waived:
RB Abram Smith
DT Joshua Black
OL Khalique Washington
CB Quenton Meeks
CB Brian Allen
OT Derrick Kelly
OL Josh Andrew’s
DB Chauncey Gardner Johnson (traded)
QB Ian Book
WR Rashid Shaheed
DE Niko Lalos
DE Taco Charlton
WR Dai’Jean Dixon
OL Derek Schweiger
DT Jordan Jackson
WR Kirk Merritt
CB DaMarcus Fields
LB Nephi Sewell
LB Eric Wilson
TE JP Holtz
TE Lucas Krull
DB Vincent Gray
LB Jon Bostic
LB Chase Hansen
C Nick Martin
DT Albert Huggins to IR
WR Kevin White was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement. This has no impact on the roster number because he was already on injured reserve.
53 Man Roster Prediction
Quarterback (2)
Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton
The quarterback room is fairly simple. Winston and Dalton are good guys to have in the quarterback room. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Ian Book make the roster because the Saints traditionally keep three quarterbacks with one being a game day inactive. Book will likely float on and off the roster and practice squad.
Running back (5)
Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones, Adam Prentice
There was a lot of concern going into training camp and preseason about the running back room. I think Tony Jones solidified the job and looked really good. Didn’t fumble, had good solid runs vs Houston and Green Bay. I doubt Alvin Kamara gets suspended this year, if you wanna know why watch this video.
Mark Ingram looked really good as well, obviously we won’t see him against starters till week one but he looked as fresh as Mr. Clean on the field. Dwayne Washington is a huge special teams contributor and can serve as a decent backup running back. Washington has mentioned that he feels more confident in his running back abilities this season.
Wide receiver (5)
Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, Deonte Harty, Marquez Callaway
There’s a lot of noise revolving around the Saints wide receiver room. What they do with Kirk Merritt I think is the biggest question. With Tre’Quan Smith dealing with yet again, another injury I think Smith goes to injured reserve or the PUP list to start the year opening that wide receiver six spot.
What I believe the Saints will do with Kirk Merritt is keep him on the firs 53 man roster for the first few days. The team wants to keep him but he hasn’t shown enough to be on the final 53 man roster. If the Saints waived him, another team would probably get him off waivers right now.
Sometimes when there’s a player like Merritt, a team keeps him around and doesn’t waive him initially. Then they place him on the practice squad and protect him so other teams can’t sign him. That’s what I think will happen with Merritt.
What that means is the Saints will probably release a veteran (let’s say Sorensen) who they know will clear waivers and then sign them back once Merritt is protected on the practice squad.
The biggest question for me right now is Tre’Quan Smith. He had a good camp but had a rough outing in the preseason games. Ending the preseason with an injury as well doesn’t help him.
Tight end (3)
Adam Trautman, Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson
Throughout camp Trautman has looked solid as well as Juwan. This will be Taysom’s first year as an official tight end. Trautman is a great blocker and Juwan has improved in blocking as well.
I don’t think Nick Vannett has done enough to make this roster. The only upside to keeping him would be his run blocking capabilities. I don’t think he’s a big enough weapon for the Saints to keep him.
Tight end is still the biggest question mark for the team. They’ve had a good camp now they need to translate that onto the field.
Offensive line (9)
James Hurst, Andrus Peat, Eric McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Ryan Ramczyk, Landon Young, Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Martin, Lewis Kidd
With the injury of Trevor Penning, that opens up a move for Landon Young to left tackle which makes Lewis Kidd the backup right tackle.
I’d be shocked if the Saints didn’t sign a veteran guy or had a workout with someone. The offensive line was getting beat up injury wise for a few weeks, hopefully they can manage to stay healthy.
The Saints do have a solid starting front they just need to stay healthy.
Defensive ends (6)
Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Carl Granderson
The Saints defensive edge rushers are really good. No need to go super detailed into it.
I’d like to mention that Taco Charlton was someone who could make the roster, but his run stuffing ability just wasn’t there. The Saints staff don’t like players who don’t play good consistent football in the run and pass game.
Defensive tackle (4)
David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Malcolm Roach, Kentavius Street
Defensive tackle was my biggest concern going into camp and now it’s no longer a worry. Malcolm Roach and Shy Tuttle have looked really good. The Saints will utilize Tanoh Kpassagnon and some of their defensive ends as defensive tackle on occasion as well.
Street is someone who I was on the fence about, but I think his tape Vs the Chargers solidified his roster spot.
Linebacker (6)
Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Andrew Dowell, Kaden Elliss, Eric Wilson, Chase Hansen
Linebacker is an area that seems like a wildcard. A few guys have really stood out like Nephi Sewell and Jon Bostic who I think you can trade in for Eric Wilson and Chase Hansen.
I think overall though the linebackers could use some improvement via a trade or signing once everyone has cut some players.
Cornerback (4)
Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Bradley Roby, Alontae Taylor
Death Reaux baby. Don’t gotta do any explaining here. All ballers.
Safeties (6)
Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, P.J. Williams, Chauncey Gardner Johnson, Justin Evans, J.T. Gray
No surprises here. Justin Evans is a stud all around and deserves a spot on the team. J.T. Gray is a special teams ace. Nothing surprising here.
Special teams (3)
Wil Lutz, Blake Gillikin, Zach Wood
Studs all around the field.
IR
Trevor Penning (toe), Albert Huggins (leg), Tre’Quan Smith (shoulder) D’Marco Jackson, Smoke Monday (acl), Isaiah Pryor, Forrest Lamp, Ethan Greenidge.
Practice Squad (16/16)
- QB Ian Book
- RB Abram Smith
- WR Kirk Merritt
- DB Vincent Gray
- DT Josh Black
- WR Dai’Jean Dixon
- TE Lucas Krull
- LB Nephi Sewell
- WR/R Rashid Shaheed
- DT Jordan Jackson
- DE Niko Lalos
- DB Quenton Meeks
Two or more season
- DE Taco Charlton
- LB Zack Baun
- S Daniel Sorenson
- OG Josh Andrew’s
Written by Kadin Janisch
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