Saints Post-Draft 53-man Roster Prediction

Now that the NFL Draft is complete, here's an early projection on the 53-man roster for the New Orleans Saints.

Author:
Bob Rose
Publish date:
May 3, 2023 8:21 PM EDT

In this story:

The 2023 NFL Draft has just concluded, and rookie mini-camps throughout the league start next week. These camps are specifically for recent draft picks and undrafted rookies as well as players invited for a tryout with the team.

Rookie camp for the New Orleans Saints will be between May 12-14. OTA workouts for all players will be May 23-25, May 30-June 1, and June 5-8. Mandatory mini-camp is scheduled for June 13-15, with the opening of training camp a little over a month after that.

After a 7-10 season and a second straight year of missing the playoffs, the New Orleans Saints were extremely active this offseason. With tons of practice sessions and plenty of personnel moves to come before the first preseason game, let alone the start of the regular season, there will be a lot of roster changes in New Orleans.

However, it's never too early for prognostications. Here is my first 53-man roster prediction for the New Orleans Saints.

(* = rookie)

OFFENSE

Quarterback (3)

• Derek Carr

• Jameis Winston

• Jake Haener*

This was set in stone the instant that the Saints signed Carr to a lucrative four-year deal that included $100 million guaranteed. Jameis Winston will be arguably the league's best backup and has valuable starting experience in the Saints system.

Fourth-round choice Haener won't compete for playing time in 2023, but is a developmental prospect with good mechanics and ability to read defenses. The Saints are banking on Carr to be the quarterback answer they've searched for since Drew Brees retired.

Running Back (5)

• Alvin Kamara

• Jamaal Williams

• Kendre Miller*

• Eno Benjamin

• Adam Prentice (FB)

(others to watch: SaRodorick Thompson*)

Kamara is still the key to this offense because of his versatility and dynamic playmaking skills. However, he's also facing at least a six-game league suspension because of legal issues.

Williams was a crucial free-agent addition. He's coming off his first 1,000-yard campaign and a league-best 17 touchdowns with Detroit. He's a productive inside-outside threat that should also allow the Saints to use Kamara more as a receiver, where he's extremely dangerous.

Third-round pick Miller has the skills to be a rapid contributor to the offense. He and Williams will give the team the inside rushing production they've been missing the last two years. They should also be a capable tandem to keep the offense productive when Kamara is out.

Wide Receiver (5)

• Michael Thomas

• Chris Olave

• Rashid Shaheed

• A.T. Perry*

• Bryan Edwards

(others to watch: Kirk Merritt, Keith Kirkwood, Tre'Quan Smith, Malik Flowers*, Shaq Davis*, Sy Barnett*)

This is simply a different offense with a healthy Thomas in the lineup, but he's also missed 40 of the team’s last 50 outings. Edwards, who played with Carr for the Raiders, and Day 2 talent Perry could provide a little physical insurance for Thomas if he misses more time.

2022 first-round choice Olave and undrafted Shaheed had outstanding rookie seasons. They'll have an even more explosive impact with the dominant Thomas demanding coverage attention.

Don't discount undrafted rookies Flowers, Davis, or Barnett making this roster, especially if the Saints keep a sixth receiver. No team has had more success with undrafted wideouts over the last 15 years than New Orleans.

Tight End (3)

• Juwan Johnson

• Taysom Hill

• Lucas Krull

(others to watch: Joel Wilson*)

Johnson had a terrific year and provided a bona-fide receiving threat at the position. As a converted wideout, he still struggles a bit as an in-line blocker. The ultra-versatile Hill is at his best as a physical runner out of the backfield.

New Orleans traded Adam Trautman without a legitimate replacement on the roster. Trautman offered very little as a receiver and was inconsistent as a blocker, but the team now needs an answer in that area.

Expect the Saints to bring in a veteran tight end as at least an extra blocker. One possibility is Foster Moreau, who was Carr's teammate with the Raiders. Moreau was brought in for a visit in March, but a medical evaluation revealed a treatable form of Hodgkins lymphoma.

Offensive Line (10)

New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) and guard Andrus Peat (75) gets ready for the play against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

• Ryan Ramczyk (RT)

• Cesar Ruiz (RG)

• Erik McCoy (C)

• Andrus Peat (LG)

• Trevor Penning (LT)

• James Hurst (T/G)

• Calvin Throckmorton (G)

• Nick Saldiveri (G/T)*

• Landon Young (T)

• Lewis Kidd (G)

(others to watch: Storm Norton)

Penning, the team's second first-round choice in 2022, is expected to take over at left tackle after missing his first 11 games with a foot injury. If he pans out, reliable veteran James Hurst will be the primary backup both inside and outside. This is vital because LG Andrus Peat has missed an average of eight games per season for the last five years.

Fourth-round choice Saldiveri can play guard or tackle, but projects inside, where both Peat and Ruiz will be free agents. McCoy and Ramczyk are among the league's best at their positions.

Depth will be a battle beyond Hurst and Saldiveri. Throckmorton has played well as an injury replacement for Peat, but could be pushed by Kidd, Norton, or one of the incoming undrafted rookies.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line (9)

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) as he throws the football. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

• Cameron Jordan (DE)

• Nathan Shepherd (DT)

• Khalen Saunders (DT)

• Isaiah Foskey (DE)*

• Bryan Bresee (DT)*

• Carl Granderson (DE)

• Tanoh Kpassagnon (DE/DT)

• Malcolm Roach (DT)

• Payton Turner (DE)

Jordan continues to play at a high level as he enters his 13th season. He could have a new bookend in Foskey, a disruptive second-round choice. Granderson and Kpassagnon outplayed the since-departed Marcus Davenport and Turner, a 2021 first-rounder on the verge of bust status.

Defensive tackle will have a whole new look after the run defense was gashed in 2022. Like Foskey, first-round rookie Bresee will push for a starting spot. Big-bodied athletes Saunders and Shepherd take the place of departed free agents David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Kentavius Street.

Linebacker (5)

• Demario Davis

• Pete Werner

• D'Marco Jackson

• Zack Baun

• Anfernee Orji*

(others to watch: Nick Anderson*, Andrew Dowell, Ty Summers, Nephi Sewell)

Davis remains one of the game's best defensive players and is the catalyst of the whole unit. Werner was having a Pro Bowl-level year before being slowed by injury in his second season. Depth is a concern after Kaden Elliss left in free agency.

Baun, a third-round pick in 2020, has been little more than a special teams contributor but will be given the first chance to step up. D'Marco Jackson, a 2022 fifth-rounder, has tons of promise, but missed his whole rookie year.

Orji and former Tulane star Anderson are each undersized, but are certainly in the mix for spots. Anderson has terrific natural instincts, while Orji is an aggressive playmaker who flies all over the field.

Cornerback (4)

• Marshon Lattimore

• Alontae Taylor

• Paulson Adebo

• Bradley Roby

This is one of the better units in the NFL. Lattimore is among the league's top shutdown corners. Taylor and Adebo are physical defenders who excel in man or off-ball coverage. Roby is a seasoned veteran capable of playing outside or in the slot.

New Orleans has kept an extra safety over corner the last few years. The Saints have a few safeties on the roster that will also take slot coverage duties.

Safety (6)

• Tyrann Mathieu

• Marcus Maye

• Lonnie Johnson

• Jordan Howden*

• Smoke Monday

• J.T. Gray

(others to watch: Jonathan Abram, Ugo Amadi)

New Orleans will need more plays from this group in 2023. Mathieu and Maye are back on restructured deals. More will be expected from each after disappointing performances in their first year with the team. Behind them there is a lot of changeover.

Lonnie Johnson was added in free agency to provide versatility and slot coverage, similar to the role filled by P.J. Williams. Howden was drafted in the fifth round to challenge him. Monday turned some heads as an undrafted rookie early in camp, but then was lost for the year with a knee injury.

Early on, one camp battle to watch will be between Monday and veteran in-the-box safety Abram, who played with Carr for the Raiders. Gray is a terrific special teamer, but Amadi might be able to challenge with a strong performance.

Specialists (3)

New Orleans Saints place kicker Wil Lutz (3) attempts a field goal out of the hold of punter Blake Gillikin (4) against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

• Wil Lutz (K)

• Blake Gillikin (P)

• Zach Wood (LS)

Woods is one of the most consistent long-snappers. Both Lutz and Gillikin are coming off inconsistent campaigns in 2022. However, each of their jobs should be secure despite the team bringing in a little training camp competition.