The Saints' first 53-man roster is officially here, and it's got a handful of surprises.
The first came early, with CJ Gardner-Johnson sent to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade. There are also a pair of players (Trevor Penning and Tre'Quan Smith), who could soon be reverted to IR and potentially return now that they've made the initial roster.
With all that in mind, here's how the Saints' initial 53-man roster breaks down after the final required cutdown.
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QUARTERBACK (2)
- Jameis Winston
- Andy Dalton
Cut: Ian Book
NOTES: No surprise here. Jameis Winston is the starter and Andy Dalton is the backup. I expect the Saints will try to get Ian Book back on the practice squad, so it'll be interesting to monitor whether any other teams have interest in the second-year QB.
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RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK (5)
- Alvin Kamara
- Mark Ingram
- Dwayne Washington
- Tony Jones Jr.
- Adam Prentice
Cut: Abram Smith
NOTES: I expected the Saints to cut Adam Prentice with the intention of bringing him back, the idea being that you could save a roster spot elsewhere until you could revert players to IR. That wasn't the case. This team loves its fullbacks, and they made sure to keep him around.
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WIDE RECEIVER (6)
- Michael Thomas
- Jarvis Landry
- Chris Olave
- Deonte Harty
- Marquez Callaway
- Tre'Quan Smith
Cut: Rasheed Shaheed; Dai'Jean Dixon; Kirk Merritt
To suspended list: Kawaan Baker
NOTES: As noted above, I think it's likely that Tre'Quan Smith gets reverted to IR with the idea that he can be brought back as early as Week 5. Otherwise, no major surprise here. All three of Shaheed, Dixon and Merritt are incredibly intriguing players and I think the Saints will make them a priority in getting on the practice squad. Shaheed in particular feels like a player the Saints were trying to keep hidden, considering he was healthy for the preseason finale but never took the field.
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TIGHT END (4)
- Adam Trautman
- Nick Vannett
- Juwan Johnson
- Taysom Hill
Cut: Lucas Krull
NOTES: Another position that went as expected. Nick Vannett's abilities as a blocker is what kept him around, because behind Trautman there was really no one else who fill that role, and I don't want to take any chances with Jameis Winston's knee.
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OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
- Ryan Ramczyk
- Andrus Peat
- Erik McCoy
- Cesar Ruiz
- James Hurst
- Trevor Penning
- Calvin Throckmorton
- Landon Young
- Lewis Kidd
Cut: Josh Andrews; Derrick Kelly; Khalique Washington; Derek Schweiger; Nick Martin
NOTES: Before the Trevor Penning injury, I'd have bet money that Nick Martin made the initial 53. But now in need of a backup LT, it was Lewis Kidd sticking around. I wouldn't be surprised if Martin is brought back, assuming he isn't scooped up elsewhere, once Penning is reverted to IR. Without him, the only player on the active roster who could be called a backup center is Cesar Ruiz, and I think you really want to have him focus completely on guard.
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DEFENSIVE LINE (9)
- Cam Jordan
- Marcus Davenport
- Payton Turner
- Carl Granderson
- Tanoh Kpassagnon
- David Onyemata
- Malcolm Roach
- Shy Tuttle
- Kentavius Street
Cut: Josh Black; Jordan Jackson; Taco Charlton; Niko Lalos
To IR: Albert Huggins
NOTES: I don't know if Albert Huggins had a chance to make the roster, but his injury in the final preseason game made that decision easy. The tough cut here was Jordan Jackson, whom the Saints selected in the 6th round of the most recent draft, but I think you can bring the rookie back on the practice squad and feel good about it. Otherwise I think this group is exactly what we expected it to be.
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LINEBACKER (5)
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Kaden Elliss
- Andrew Dowell
- Zack Baun
Cut: Eric Wilson, Nephi Sewell, Chase Hansen, Jon Bostic
NOTES: This was the position I had the most questions about, and it's the one I got the most wrong in my projections. The biggest mistake was thinking the Saints were ready to cut bait on Zack Baun, because they clearly still think pretty highly of their 3rd round selection from 2020. I also thought Nephi Sewell and Eric Wilson had done enough to make the roster, but both were on the cut list. I think it's possible one or both is brought back down the road. The other four feel like the obvious selections, but the depth here continues to be a concern. Hopefully the health is there throughout for Werner and Davis the team never truly has to test that depth this season. Fingers crossed.
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CORNERBACK (4)
- Marshon Lattimore
- Paulson Adebo
- Bradley Roby
- Alontae Taylor
Cut: Quenton Meeks; Brian Allen; Vincent Gray; Damarcus Fields
NOTES: This position was as easy to project as it's ever been, as one of the strongest 1-4 cornerback groups in recent memory. There will be more pressure likely placed on Roby in the slot, but you feel good about your depth here.
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SAFETY (6)
- Tyrann Mathieu
- Marcus Maye
- PJ Williams
- J.T. Gray
- Justin Evans
- Daniel Sorenson
Cut: none
Traded: CJ Gardner-Johnson to Eagles
NOTES: The bombshell trade got the day started off fast, with CJ Gardner-Johnson sent to the Eagles with he and the Saints at an impasse over a new deal. That result likely saved one or both of Justin Evans and Daniel Sorenson, with no safeties actually cut on Tuesday. If there are serious struggles at nickel corner, this decision will be scrutinized very closely.
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SPECIALISTS (3)
- Wil Lutz
- Blake Gillikin
- Zach Wood
Cuts: none
NOTES: none