The preseason is set to conclude Thursday the New Orleans Saints will soon have to trim their roster from 90 to 53.
The Saints will face some tough decisions this week as the roster is loaded with talented players at multiple positions.
Here’s a look at the 53-man roster projections from WWL’s Bobby Hebert, Kristian Garic and Amos Morale III.
Listed first is the group of players that made the projected roster at that particular position for all three and listed second are the players that made one or more of the roster projections.
QB:
Where we agree: Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill
Where we differ: N/A
Bobby Hebert: “I don’t think we need to go in depth here.”
RB:
Where we agree: Latavius Murray, Alvin Kamara, Zach Line
Where we differ: Dwayne Washington (BH, KG), Devine Ozigbo (AM)
Bobby Hebert: I’m not convinced that Washington is for sure the third running back. He’s the leading tackler on special teams so that helps his case but he struggles to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Kristian Garlic: I could make the argument that third running back isn’t on this roster. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Saints scan the waiver wire for a back that they like once other teams begin trimming their rosters.
WR:
Where we agree: Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr., Tre’Quan Smith, Emmanuel Butler, Deonte Harris
Where we differ: Keith Kirkwood (BH, KG), Austin Carr (AM)
Bobby Hebert: In my mind, Deonte Harris makes this team because of his return skills. I’m not entirely sure about Kirkwood. I put him on my roster but I think you could see the Saints end up keeping just five wide receivers.
Kristian Garic: The intrigue here is Deonte Harris as a return guy. He’s done some good things as a returner and he’s really not a receiver but I don’t think they can slip him through waivers.
TE:
Where we agree: Jared Cook, Josh Hill, Dan Arnold
Where we differ: N/A
Bobby Hebert: This is a position that is pretty clear. Mack might go to the practice squad but I know they like his upside.
Kristian Garic: Mack has missed some time with an injury but his upside makes it hard to waive him and expose him to another team.
Amos Morale III: The Saints will likely keep three from this group. Rookie Alize Mack was back at practice last week but has a lot of catching up to do. Late training camp addition A.J. Derby, has been coming on strong though has definitely given the Saints coaches something to think about.
OL:
Where we agree: Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Andrus Peat, Larry Warford, Erik McCoy, Cameron Tom, Will Clapp, Michael Ola, Nick Easton
Where we differ: N/A
Bobby Hebert: This is tough group to cut down. The Saints have a ton of depth at this position on the roster.
Kristian Garic: The Saints have some serious depth on the offensive line. This team will cut some guys at this position that will get picked up by another team.
Amos Morale III: New Orleans has traditionally valued backup offensive linemen that are able to play multiple positions giving Cameron Tom, Michael Ola and Nick Easton a leg up on the competition.
DL:
Where we agree: Sheldon Rankins, Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Malcom Brown, Trey Hendrickson, Mario Edwards, Sylvester Williams, Wes Horton, Taylor Stallworth
Where we disagree: N/A
Where we agree: Craig Robertson, A.J. Klein, Demario Davis, Alex Anzalone, Vince Biegel, Kaden Elliss
Where we disagree: N/A
Bobby Hebert: This is another position group that won’t see much change from last season. Ellis a player that I know the Saints love but might get caught in a numbers game.
Kristian Garic: Ellis is an impressive rookie that could push for some playing time on defense and will contribute on special teams. Biegel is a solid special team’s player that can give you some snaps on defense in a pinch.
Amos Morale III: Biegel spent last season with the Saints and has made plays this preseason in addition to being a core special teams contributor. Elliss, a seventh-round pick of the franchise, has played very well in a backup role this preseason and has gotten a lot of snaps with starter Alex Anzalone missing this last preseason game. Combine that good effort with his play on special teams and Eliss will likely find his way on the the roster.
DB:
Where we agree: Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, P.J. Williams, Justin Hardee, Patrick Robinson, Marcus Williams, Vonn Bell, Chauncy Gardner-Johnson, Chris Banjo, Saquan Hampton
Where we disagree: N/A
Bobby Hebert: I didn’t think that Ken Crawley would make this team, and he still might not. Another team in the NFL would love to have Crawley’s experience on their roster. He won’t be out of a job long if the Saints don’t keep him.
Kristian Garic: The more and more I think about it, Ken Crawley could stick on this roster. It’s hard to find a guy on your team that is sitting on the bench with over a season’s worth of starts under his belt. If teams call about a trade for Ken Crawley the Saints would be all ears.
Amos Morale III: Justin Hardee has made himself indispensable on the special teams unit. He’s also made several nice plays at the cornerback position particularly in the preseason win against the Chargers where he was credited with two pass breakups. Robinson lands the last spot on this list as he’s worked at all the cornerback positions this preseason. That versatility gives him the edge over Ken Crawley.
ST:
Where we agree: Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Zach Wood
Where we disagree: N/A
Amos Morale III: No change here. Lutz has been sharp in the preseason, Morstead is still booming punts and both work well with Wood.