After Thursday's joint practice against the Rams, I asked Davon Godchaux if he was excited to play in the Caesars Superdome for the first time.
He said yes, but with a grin, because it was most likely he'd be on the sidelines in sweats while the game was played. That's just the life of veterans in the preseason, particularly after an 83-play practice to close out the week and a 10-day California swing.
But who will be out there? That's always the biggest question, and it always feels more worthwhile to get reps for the depth players competing for the roster.
The Saints could opt to get more starters action than last week, but I'd be surprised. Players who I don't expect to see, though they might warm up:
- RB Alvin Kamara
- WR Chris Olave
- WR Rashid Shaheed
- TE Juwan Johnson
- C Erik McCoy
- LG Trevor Penning (injured)
- DT Davon Godchaux
- Edge Cam Jordan
- Edge Chase Young
- Edge Carl Granderson
- LB Demario Davis
- LB Pete Werner
- S Justin Reid
- S J.T. Gray (injured)
- CB Alontae Taylor (injured)
That's why in this pregame column I'll skip the standard structure and simply list the position battles I'm most interested to see play out, starting with the obvious.
QB1/2: Shough vs Rattler
Not much new ground to cover here. We've talked about this quarterback battle basically every day since it began, but we'll be getting a first on Sunday with Tyler Shough pulling the start. Can he or Spencer Rattler play well enough to find a definitive answer ... or will this thing drag out another week?
Shough in particular has looked to be building significant confidence over the past few weeks, and Rattler has seemed to be making more aggressive reads over the past week of practice. Both guys threw for 50-plus-yard TDs in the joint session with the Rams and neither guy turned the ball over.
It'd also be fitting for a decision to be made this week considering recent history. The last time the Saints held a legitimate QB competition was in 2021. That year it was Jameis Winston vs Taysom Hill, with Jameis winning the job in a strong performance in Week 2. The opponent in that game? The Jaguars.
Hopefully that's the only thing from that preseason that repeats itself.
RB2/3 ... and 4? Miller vs Akers vs Edwards-Helaire vs Jones
I actually don't see RB2 as a real position battle. To me that's Kendre Miller's spot, and I honestly would have have half a mind to rest Kendre for this game after a heavy workload on Thursday. In the end I expect him to play a series or two, just because I don't think resting him sends the right message to the rest of the room.
In the end I expect the bulk of the carries to go to the next two names on the list, with Jones continuing to get works in a scat back capacity. The real competition feels like it's between Cam Akers and Edwards-Helaire, whereas Jones is more competing to convince the Saints that they should be keeping a fourth running back. I expect him to get more work on kickoffs. If he can stand out there I think he makes the team.
NT2: Saunders vs Boyd
One of the reasons Davon Godchaux will likely have to wait a few more weeks for his Superdome debut is that I need to figure out who is best suited to back him up. The safe choice would be Khalen Saunders, a veteran with a strong track record and presence in the locker room. That said, one of the underrated players all camp has been second-year pro Khristian Boyd, whom Godchaux praised when I asked about him this week.
Boyd was working exclusively at the nose tackle position this offseason and he's taken to it well. When you're in the position the Saints are in, otherwise known as a soft rebuild whether they'll actually say it or not, I think you're a lot more likely to throw your lot in with a young player. The caveat is that the guy has to earn it. Nose can be a tough position to gauge because it's a thankless job where you're asked to eat double teams so other plays can do their jobs and get the glory. But don't be fooled by that, because it's one of the most important pieces in the 3-4 scheme.
LB 4/5 ... and 6? Jackson vs Stutsman vs Stalbird vs Ford
I've said repeatedly that I think linebacker is the deepest position on this roster, so much so that in my last roster projection I had the team keeping six of them. If you only keep five the conversation becomes more complicated. I see D'Marco Jackson and Danny Stutsman as locks to make the roster, but roles might be up for grabs.
As far as Jaylan Ford and Isaiah Stalbird? Both guys are very athletic and assets on special teams. Ford led the team in tackles last week and Stalbird was flying around with multiple special teams tackles and a TFL. A strong day for one or both of those guys could go a long way.
EDGE 4/5 ... Rumph vs Diggs vs Foskey
It's easy to sit here and project a second-round pick entering his third year to miss the roster entirely, but it's another thing to be sitting there on cutdown day and actually do it. As negative as the discourse around Foskey is right now, one strong performance could still change things. He just has to go out there and do it.
If he doesn't, that opens the door for one or borth of 7th rounder Fadil Diggs and veteran Chris Rumph to land on the roster, both scheme fits that have come on strong in camp.
STAR ... Amadi vs Burgess vs ??
There's no question that Alontae Taylor is the starter at Brandon Staley's version of the nickel, but he's hurt right now. So who steps up?
If the Saints had to play a game today it seems like the answer would be Ugo Amadi, but I wouldn't mind seeing someone step up to challenge that idea. Terrell Burgess, a guy who is very familiar with Brandon Staley, would be the next in line.
Could a young player shine later in the game? How about Jonas Sanker. It'll be something to watch.
CENTER 2 ... Simpkins vs Hergel vs ???
The Saints need at least one trusted backup center behind Erik McCoy and Will Clapp's injury has opened the door. In the preseason opener it was Torricelli Simpkins III, who I'd expect to draw the start in this game. Another strong performance might lock things up, but who else is there?
Second-year pro Kyle Hergel has been taking center reps all offseason, and veteran Shane Lemieux found his way into that role last year. The Saints also signed Mike Panasiuk, but not sure what the vision is for him at this point.
PUNTER ... Kroeger vs Burnip
The kicker competition isn't much of a competition at this point, the job is Blake Grupe's. The same can't be said for the punter position. James Burnip felt like he was in the lead heading into the preseason opener but he underdelivered against the Chargers. Kai Kroeger flashed a bigger leg in his debut. Neither guy was able to pin the opposing team deep.
Grading a punter competition in-game is difficult because it's almost impossible to get them even opportunities. Still, the first guy to demonstrate consistent ability to pin some kicks deep probably wins this thing.
LAGNIAPPE
I wouldn't call it a position battle, but Dillon Radunz likely pulls the start at LG with Trevor Penning out hurt. I'm a bit concerned about that position as well as the Saints' inability to run the ball. A strong day would be helpful to build confidence. ... Mason Tipton feels like he's again secured himself a spot on the roster. Another strong performance would probably cement that. ... Roster spots are always won or lost on special teams. It's always worth tracking which players are in on the action for punts, kickoffs, etc. Rico Payton, for instance, feels like he's on his way to earning the "special teams ace" title. Isaac Yiadom was that type of player earlier in his career, and now he has a defined role. Keep an eye on those reps.
