One more for all the preseason marbles! Well, that at least seems to be the case in the long-running quarterback competition.
The New Orleans Saints are the NFL's only team without a declared starting quarterback for Week 1. Both Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough will play significant snaps in Game 3, but it'll be Rattler rolling with the first team.
The QB1 question will be the biggest point of drama, but there's plenty else to watch with battles to make the 53-man roster up and down the field. Who has one final statement to make?
With all that in mind here are the three big things I'm watching, plus some lagniappe, in the Saints' preseason showdown with Sean Payton's Broncos.
1. Can Rattler Finish the Job?
The Saints have been watching their two young quarterbacks compete all throughout camp, and head coach Kellen Moore has made sure to sidestep any and all questions that might've revealed who was in the driver's seat for the job between rookie Tyler Shough and second-year pro Spencer Rattler.
That only goes so far, though, because Rattler is the player with more reps, he's started with the first team in both scrimmages, the join practice with the Chargers and he's now in line to start for the second time in the preseason. Assuming the battle was always legitimate, it's hard not to see the finale vs the Broncos as the one final hurdle. A strong performance, ideally one that features a touchdown drive, and we're almost certain to see at least a portion of the season with Rattler in the starting role.
But what if it doesn't happen? What is Rattler crashes and burns in his final opportunity and Shough delivers? The QB playing with the second team has tended to fare better in these situations.
It sounds like we'll see all the healthy starters. This game marks the biggest opportunity in Rattler's pro football life to this point. He can either slam the door or leave it open.
2. Sorting Out the RBs
One of the biggest questions I have on the roster at this point is who all makes up the running back room behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
Will the draft investment in Devin Neal save his spot despite missing time with injury? Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire's all-around skillset something this team wants to feature? How about Velus Jones and his next-level speed at the running back position?
To me those players are all competing for, at maximum, two spots. It's also possible that the Saints only keep three running backs. All three players would benefit from a strong showing. Neal got back to practice this week after missing multiple weeks with a hamstring injury.
The biggest wild card is special teams for Jones. It was a rough moment a week ago when he drew a 15-yard penalty on punt coverage for getting forced out of bounds and not making an immediate attempt to return. Those rough moments won't be ignored. He'll need to show he can be trusted there, too.
3. Can the Young CBs play?
A subplot to this season will be the fate of the Saints' projected 4th round comp pick. That pick would be awarded as compensation for Paulson Adebo heading to the Giants in free agency, but it's not as simple as it sounds.
The Saints currently only have two compensatory free agents to offset three that departed, but Isaac Yiadom is right on the fringe while being projected to take 25% of the snaps. If he gets something in the 35% or higher range, he'll likely jump up to being a CFA and effectively cost the Saints a 4th rounder.
The team won't, and shouldn't, choose their starting cornerback based on comp pick projections, but that idea only goes so far. If things start off dreadfully (think 0-4 or 0-5) in the first quarter of the season, a youth movement might make the most sense. It certainly wouldn't be discouraged by the benefit of an extra Day 3 pick. The Saints also opted to trade their own 2026 4th rounder in the move to add WR Devaughn Vele.
So the question becomes: Do any of these young players look like they could be trusted options to start?
Rookie Quincy Riley, a 4th rounder himself, would be the most likely option. He's shown to be a ballhawk with multiple interceptions in camp, but I've also seen him get rooked a few more times than I'd like. Players needs reps to improve and he'll get plenty of them on Saturday. How about Rico Payton? Rezjohn Wright? Jayden Price.
As much as I like Ike and he's become a leader in that room, the Saints have a strong incentive to look at the younger guys. It'd be nice to come out of Saturday feeling like they'd give you a chance if you went that route.
LAGNIAPPE
Expect a lot of starters in this game, but you likely won't see Taliese Fuaga, who suffered a knee issue in Wednesday's practice. Kellen Moore said it's not expected to be anything significant, but it still wouldn't make sense to put him out there under those circumstances. ... Erik McCoy hasn't played in either of the first two preseason games, and I think that's as big a reason as any the OL has scuffled. If you want to get a true look at the first-team offense, you need to have your best player on the field. Everyone looks better when McCoy is in the game. ... Darren Rizzi is back in town, and I can't help but wonder if this is a year where we could see multiple waiver claims or straight-up poaching with special teamers he scouted headed out to Denver. I don't think this is a year where you'll be able to comfortably stash special teams standouts on the practice squad. ... It's unknown whether Devaughn Vele will play on Saturday, but he'll be wearing the No. 14 when he does. I'm hopeful the Saints can get him a small package of plays so fans can get an eye on the new WR before the open week to close out the preseason. ... Other than QB, the only true starting position battle left is at punter between Kai Kroeger and James Burnip. Neither guy has really stood out. I honestly wouldn't be stunned if the Saints look at the waiver wire, but one of these guys has to at least survive cuts. Whoever has the strongest game Saturday might take it.
