The New Orleans Saints might be in Dallas, but they've officially set their first 53-man roster -- now watch it change.
This year's roster, compiled from multiple sources, has a handful of positions impacted by an important NFL caveat, and one that's come about due to COVID: An unlimited number of players can go to IR for a minimum of 3 weeks and return, but only if they begin the season on the active roster.
In cases where a play is sent to injured reserve before the start of the season, they are officially done for the year. With that in mind, players recovering from injury such as Wil Lutz have to take up a roster spot despite almost certainly spending the first three weeks of the year on the shelf. That means several players cut from the roster could do an about-face and return once those spots become available, and that's true across the league.
The names listed on the roster below won't be all the names that New Orleans brings to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. But for now, scroll below for analysis at each position on the initial 53-man roster, starting with the obvious...
QUARTERBACK (3)
Jameis Winston (2) and Taysom Hill (7)Pool photo by Max Becherer/NOLA.com
- Jameis Winston
- Ian Book
- Taysom Hill
Once we found out Jameis Winston was going to be the Saints' starter, this depth chart became pretty easy to predict. Rookie Ian Book lost his final chance at live reps before the regular season when the team cancelled their preseason finale, but he likely showed enough throughout camp for the Saints to confidently ride with the former Notre Dame star as the gameday backup.
Saints coach Sean Payton said on Tuesday that Taysom Hill would be used in multiple roles, as was expected, which means he's not truly the backup quarterback. As has been the case for several years, the Saints will carry three QBs in 2021, but only two of them really play that position week in, week out.
Trevor Siemian was the lone cut here, and it's likely he lands on the practice squad.
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RUNNING BACK (4)
Tony Jones Jr. (37)Pool photo
- Alvin Kamara
- Tony Jones Jr.
- Latavius Murray
- Dwayne Washington
The Saints have a bit of roster inflexibility due to the need to hold open a few roster spots for players who will likely start the year on injured reserve, and I think this is a position that was impacted by that.
Tony Jones Jr. made himself uncuttable with his work in camp, and that spelled the end for veteran Devonta Freeman's roster chances. The next big question is whether Jones steals snaps from Latavius Murray, who hasn't particularly shined this offseason but still represents a dependable veteran option and short-yardage specialist. I still think the Saints want to have a fullback on the roster, but TE is a position of greater need for flexibility with some injuries piling up to start the season. I'd expect to see Alex Armah stashed on the practice squad or re-signed once some players are shifted to IR before Week 1.
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WIDE RECEIVER (5)
Lil'Jordan Humphrey (84)Pool photo
- Marquez Callaway
- Tre'Quan Smith
- Lil'Jordan Humphrey
- Deonte Harris
- Ty Montgomery
* Michael Thomas/PUP
Much like running back, I'd expect to see a player return to this position group once they clear waivers, the most likely being veteran Chris Hogan. The Saints will likely try to stash rookie Kawaan Baker on the practice squad, and the biggest question left is Tre'Quan Smith's availability. He's been out of practices for much of the past month, but has time to get right before the opener.
Regardless of Smith’s status, it's Marquez Callaway who will be the lead dog and rakes in a big number of targets early in the season. Michael Thomas will begin on the PUP list, an unsurprising decision that opens up a roster spot, but also means the Saints will be without his services for at least 6 weeks as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery.
One name that stands out: Lil'Jordan Humphrey. The 6-foot-4 high-ball specialist missed the opening roster each of his first two seasons, but he slimmed down before this offseason and has been impressive throughout camp despite some issues with drops. He's a guy who clearly has the trust of the quarterbacks and could play a significant role, especially early in the year.
One thing to watch: Does Deonte Harris get suspended after all? It feels almost inevitable, but we're now less than 2 weeks from Week 1 with no news of discipline. No need to say that the Saints' roster situation is less complicated if they retain the services of Harris to start the season.
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TIGHT ENDS (4)
Juwan Johnson (83)Pool photo
- Adam Trautman
- Nick Vannett
- Juwan Johnson
- Garrett Griffin
With Adam Trautman and Nick Vannett both suffering injuries in the second preseason game and expected to miss some time, it's not a surprise the Saints kept around a 4th TE -- the only question was whether it'd be Ethan Wolf or veteran Garrett Griffin. The former Air Force standout got the nod, and it's possible he and converted WR Juwan Johnson get the bulk of the run at the position in Week 1.
Trautman is battling a foot/ankle injury and Vannett has been sidelined with a knee injury. Both underwent MRIs and are believed to have avoided long-term injuries, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Saints add another name here, particularly if either Vannett or Trautman lands on IR to start the season.
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OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Pool photo by David Grunfeld/NOLA.com
- LT Terron Armstead
- LG Cesar Ruiz
- C Erik McCoy
- RG Andrus Peat
- RT Ryan Ramczyk
- James Hurst
- Landon Young
- Calvin Throckmorton
- Will Clapp
Nothing particularly surprising here. The Saints have entrenched players at each starting line spot, a proven veteran swing tackle in James Hurst and a promising rookie in Landon Young. This is possibly the best OL group in the NFL and is what could help carry the Saints offense to the playoffs even with a new quarterback and significant questions at WR and TE.
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DEFENSIVE LINE (8)
USAT Images
- DE Cameron Jordan
- DE Marcus Davenport
- DE Carl Granderson
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- DE Payton Turner
- DT Shy Tuttle
- DT Malcolm Roach
- DT Christian Ringo
* David Onyemata suspended first 6 games
The Saints' defensive line is the story of two worlds. One of those is on the edges, where New Orleans features an array of tall, long-armed and powerful pass-rushers that could be one of its best groups of all-time from top to bottom.
On the interior it's anyone's guess. Shy Tuttle is the most well-known commodity entering his third NFL season, and second-year UDFA Malcolm Roach performed well as a rookie, but beyond that there's nothing but questions to answer. Rookie Jalen Dalton looked like a promising option but will end his season on IR, and standout David Onyemata will be out the first six games due to suspension. This group might be the most important on the roster early in the season, as they'll be tested up the gut early and often. They need to be able to stand up, and it wouldn't be surprising at all to see another veteran added here to bolster the young group.
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LINEBACKER (7)
Demario Davis (left) and Kwon AlexanderUSAT Images
- Demario Davis
- Kwon Alexander
- Zack Baun
- Pete Werner
- Kaden Elliss
- Andrew Dowell
- Chase Hansen
This is likely one of the positions that has an extra number due to an impending IR move. The Saints kept 7 linebackers, a higher number than you'd expect to see. That's likely because Kwon Alexander is still a ways from being cleared for game action in his recovery from an Achilles tear last season.
Alexander has looked good in limited practice reps, but would benefit from an extra month of recovery before a return as early as Week 4.
One thing that makes that feel even more likely? This is the deepest linebacker group the Saints have boasted in years, headlined by Demario Davis at the mike, and joined by Zack Baun at the will, appearing to have taken a massive step forward in Year 2. Rookie Pete Werner is intriguing, but he'll likely have to make his mark on special teams to earn meaningful snaps on defense (without injuries). Kaden Elliss, Andrew Dowell and Chase Hansen have all been impressive in camp, and the rotation at the linebacker positions will be yet another strength of a very impressive defensive group.
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DEFENSIVE BACKS (9)
Pool photo by David Grunfeld/NOLA.com
- CB Marshon Lattimore
- CB Ken Crawley
- CB Paulson Adebo
- CB/S PJ Williams
- S Malcolm Jenkins
- S Marcus Williams
- S CJ Gardner-Johnson
- S Jeff Heath
- S JT Gray
Sean Payton has said all season that outside cornerback is a "must" position, and with the NFL cutdown many names will become available. Do the Saints make a play on some of those names? My guess is yes, though I think Ken Crawley has earned the starting job across from Marshon Lattimore if he's healthy enough to step into it.
Crawley was hurt against against the Jaguars and expected to be out multiple weeks, but could be healthy in time for Week 1. If he's not, expect the Saints to be aggressive with additions.
One of the more interesting names above: Jeff Heath. The veteran arrived just days ahead of the preseason matchup with the Jaguars and apparently was able to impress coaches enough to earn that final roster spot in the DB room. Is it possible he, as a veteran, benefitted from the lack of a third preseason game over more unproven players? Regardless, safety is yet another strength of this defense with Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Williams and CJ Gardner-Johnson giving the back end of the D an edge that’ll be difficult to match.
Can the depth at safety paper over questions at cornerback? Time will tell.
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SPECIALISTS (4)
Aldrick RosasPool photo
K Aldrick Rosas
K Wil Lutz
P Blake Gillikin
LS Zach Wood
Two kickers? If you've sensed the theme ... yes, another IR situation. Wil Lutz has to make the initial 53-man roster to return this season, but he can now be sent to IR and return after three weeks. Whether he'll be ready to play at that point after surgery to repair a core muscle injury is unknown, but the Saints undoubtedly want to be able to get him back at some point in the 2021 season.
The question now: Is Aldrick Rosas the guy? He's looked solid, but several intriguing kicker names have hit the waiver wire, including rookie Jake Verity of the Ravens and veteran Zane Gonzalez from the Lions. If the Saints aren't confident in Rosas, they could be aggressive on the waiver wire to add another option. I'd be surprised if they don't at least try to snag Verity, who was impressive when the Saints faced Baltimore in their preseason opener, and has taken the same route of Lutz in studying behind star kicker Justin Tucker before missing the roster.
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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com
