Saints 53-man roster watch: Where it stands right now

Turnover happens on every NFL team each season. Football players often have a short shelf life, and free agents often seek greener ($$$) pastures.

The New Orleans Saints are no different although roster stability was taken for granted until this past offseason when 14 former Saints from the 2020 campaign changed addresses or retired.

The ’21 Black and Gold roster will be sprinkled with some new arrivals along with returnees expected to take a big step forward. Understandably, there will be some altering prior to and even after the cut down August 31 to the final 53.

Let’s look at where things stand at each position.

QB (keep 3)

Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are the obvious top two while fourth round pick Ian Book out of Notre Dame is the latest addition. They’re the trio the Saints will take into the year, and I would not be at all surprised to see the rookie receive meaningful game reps before the season concludes, due to an injury or perhaps even veteran ineffectiveness. Yes, that’s a very new feeling for this organization under Sean Payton.

RB (keep 4)

Alvin Kamara is a star while 31-year old Latavius Murray still appears to be the likely backup as a useful between-the-tackles banger. It’s second year undrafted contender Tony Jones, Jr. who has opened eyes in camp to date. Can he duplicate the Ravens effort against the Jaguars? If so, a six-year veteran like Dwayne Washington who has been primarily utilized on special teams where he holds great value may be in danger. Or perhaps even Murray. Still, I suspect all four end up on the opener game roster.

FB (keep 1)

Alex Armah, signed in the offseason as a free agent, replaces Michael Burton.

TE (keep 3)

Adam Trautman is expected to seize the role formerly occupied by Jared Cook while Nick Vannett, viewed as a blocker who has developed into a more complete tight end, replaces Josh Hill. Vannett has 75 career grabs for 686 yards and five scores. The final spot appears to be between Garret Griffin and converted wideout Juwan Johnson, who has focused more on blocking and has begun to blossom as a mismatch in the passing game. This offense needs weapons, and Johnson may be too useful in that area not to keep.

WR (keep 5)

Michael Thomas is among the elite receivers in the NFL healthy, and that fact that he isn’t has become the biggest concern on this team. Tre’Quan Smith enters year four, and his contribution will be vital this season with Thomas shelved for weeks and Emmanuel Sanders departed.

Among the crew expected to take a leap forward is Deonte Harris with his lightning quick cuts and sub-4.3 speed is a big play threat. However, Marquez Callaway has been the talk of camp, looking like a rapidly emerging go-to options in the absence of Thomas. The second-year player out of Tennessee has developed a rapport with the QB’s while his work ethic and practice habits are producing results. Once an undrafted afterthought, Callaway may be the top receiver in New Orleans this season.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey, now in his third season as another undrafted find, has a big body type (at 6’4″ 225) that Payton covets.

The final spot may fall to a few prospects including 11-year veteran Chris Hogan, who won a pair of Super Bowl with Patriots and provides a good locker room presence. If the choice is potential, seventh round draft pick Kawaan Baker has the explosiveness but not the experience so he could land on practice squad. In his seventh NFL season, Ty Montgomery can play receiver or running, and versatility is usually an ally when it comes to final roster spots. Still, I’m not certain that he has enough to get him over the top. Recent addition Kevin White, the former first round pick of the Bears in 2015. will really have to show out within the next week to have a chance.

Keep an eye on this position as one where at least one of the spots may be destined for a player not yet in camp.

OL (keep 9)

Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Eric McCoy, Ceasar Ruiz and Ryan Ramczyk are the starters. The next four?

James Hurst is the first tackle off the bench when someone goes down, bring 102 career games with 49 starts to the table including five games with Saints in 2020. Call him a lock, too.

Will Clapp, who enters his fourth campaign, is a former Brother Martin and LSU star who has shown the ability to capably man either guard and center when called upon. Ethan Greenidge, undrafted in 2019, has gained the confidence of the staff and has had a good camp. Derrick Kelly may secure the final roster spot since he can play guard or tackle. J.R. Sweezy, a 10 year veteran with 104 NFL starts at guard (mostly at RG) could make it as another experienced hand. Sixth round choice Landon Young may be ticketed for practice squad.

DL (Keep 9)

The departures of Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins and Malcolm Brown leave three significant holes to fill.

Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata (suspension) and Payton Turner are givens. Shy Tuttle and Carl Granderson are a pair of undrafted free agent finds of the past that are most likely the next up. The Saints have demonstrated a propensity to land UDFAs on the d-line who have been major contributors with Taylor Stallworth (2018), Tuttle (2019) and Malcolm Roach (2020) as recent examples.

Roach, a Baton Rouge native who played at Texas, looks like a solid backup. Tanoh Kpassagnon, offseason acquisition formerly of the Chiefs, can play inside or outside.

The final spot appears to have tackle Christian Ringo out of UL-Lafayette, undrafted rookie Josiah Bronson and developing run stuffer Jalen Dalton as the most likely options. Bronson was highly regarded following the 2021 draft, inking a $25,000 bonus plus a $140,000 guaranteed deal that’s a bit unusual for an undrafted player. Dalton is the best fit for a nose tackle role. Two of these three could make the team to start the season with Onyemata out for six games.

LB (Keep 6)

Demario Davis and Kwon Alexander are the starters while Zack Baun and Pete Werner are recent day two draft picks who have spots reserved.

Craig Robertson and Alex Anzalone need to be replaced, and Kaden Elliss in his third season as well as undrafted rookie Andrew Dowell have the inside tracks. The latter signed with Dallas in 2019 before landing on Saints practice squad for the past two years. It looks like special teams is Dowell’s calling card.

Linebacker is an area that could be addressed via the waiver wire after final cuts the reserve options in camp have done better as a group than many expected.

CB (keep 5)

The losses of Janoris Jenkins, Patrick Robinson and Justin Hardee leave voids that still stick out like a sore thumb. This is an area that could constantly be in flux as additional players become available.

Marshon Lattimore, rookie Paulson Adebo, Ken Crawley and P.J. Williams will occupy four spots right now. KeiVarae Russell and Brian Poole were added to lend experience. Bryce Thompson, undrafted, has the talent to stick or at least make the practice squad.

Poole is good in nickel roles and as a blitzer. During his tenure in the NFL, he has recorded 299 tackles, six sacks and seven interceptions. But he is not an outside corner, where the pickings are far too slim currently.

The ‘Help Wanted’ sign is up, and it’s hard not to imagine the need being filled from another roster somehow.

Safety (keep 5)

Marcus Williams, Malcolm Jenkins and CJ Gardner Johnson, along with special teams ace J.T. Gray are locks.

P.J. Williams can also play here, perhaps better than as a corner. Undrafted rookie Eric Burrell out of Wisconsin is a throwback, aggressive tackler who looks to make his mark on special teams. Perhaps he is Hardee’s natural replacement.

Recent addition Jeff Heath is an intriguing vet worthy of a long look. The strong safety was signed undrafted by the Cowboys and stuck seven years in Dallas before playing last season with the Raiders. The 30 year old has played in 119 NFL games with 59 starts while racking up significant special teams experience. If Heath has any gas left in the tank, he can easily make the team. Another undrafted free agent, Deuce Wallace out of ULL, looks like a practice squad candidate.

It could come down to Burrell and Heath for that last safety spot.

Special teams (keep 3)

Thomas Morstead was the punter for over a decade but Blake Gillikin is his heir apparent. With Wil Lutz out recovering from core muscle surgery, Aldrick Rosas is the new leg in camp trying to fill the void. It’s anyone’s guess if he will. Deep snapper Zach Wood isn’t going anywhere.