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New Orleans Saints OTAs just began, so we are a bit far away from the official 53-man roster cut deadline. Still, we are already beginning to see some position battles or positional openings clear up a bit, which allows the world to make some guesses on what the final group will look like.
Over the next couple of months, we are going to see positional battles at backup QB, WR, across the offensive and defensive lines, CB, RB, and LB. It's going to be very interesting to see how many of these end up happening, and because of that, there may be some surprise releases. So, let's talk about some of those.
With how much investment the Saints have made at WR this offseason, there is only one spot open. Last season, the team brought in 6 WRs, and that should be the case again. So, with that in mind, the Saints already have Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown (kick returner). That leaves one spot open, and the WRs competing for that are Ja'lynn Polk, Damien Alford, Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means, Trey Palmer, Brock Rechsteiner, Mason Tipton, and Ronnie Bell. Yeah, that's a large group.
Out of all the players, Polk is the favorite to make the roster. He has built chemistry with Tyler Shough, the coaching staff has talked highly about him, and he's a former second-round pick. At this point, it would be more of a surprise if he didn't make it, but with how many players in this competition, it could happen.
One of the best stories last season was kicker Charlie Smyth becoming the starter and making some very clutch kicks. He did enough for the Saints to bring him into another offseason, but there will still be competition.
The Saints also brought in former Texas kicker Mason Shipley, and just like last year, it's going to be a competitive battle. It's smart for the Saints to not stay comfortable with their kicker until it's truly solidified, and if Smyth loses out, this could be the time the Saints finally move on from him
Devin Neal is someone that I do not believe would be cut, but that's what would make it a complete shock. Currently, the Saints RB room is Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson. Last season, the Saints brought in 4 RBs, Kamara, Miller, Devin Neal, and Velus Jones, and that number should be the case this season. '
Looking at the group, Etienne is the #1 guy, Kamara is on a larger contract and can still add a positive impact to the offense, Miller still has potential that the staff could believe in, and Estime stepped up last season and proved his worth. Neal's path to making the roster is less clear than before, and he could be a shock cut.
Continue reading...
Over the next couple of months, we are going to see positional battles at backup QB, WR, across the offensive and defensive lines, CB, RB, and LB. It's going to be very interesting to see how many of these end up happening, and because of that, there may be some surprise releases. So, let's talk about some of those.
WR Ja'lynn Polk
With how much investment the Saints have made at WR this offseason, there is only one spot open. Last season, the team brought in 6 WRs, and that should be the case again. So, with that in mind, the Saints already have Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown (kick returner). That leaves one spot open, and the WRs competing for that are Ja'lynn Polk, Damien Alford, Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means, Trey Palmer, Brock Rechsteiner, Mason Tipton, and Ronnie Bell. Yeah, that's a large group.
Out of all the players, Polk is the favorite to make the roster. He has built chemistry with Tyler Shough, the coaching staff has talked highly about him, and he's a former second-round pick. At this point, it would be more of a surprise if he didn't make it, but with how many players in this competition, it could happen.
K Charlie Smyth
One of the best stories last season was kicker Charlie Smyth becoming the starter and making some very clutch kicks. He did enough for the Saints to bring him into another offseason, but there will still be competition.
The Saints also brought in former Texas kicker Mason Shipley, and just like last year, it's going to be a competitive battle. It's smart for the Saints to not stay comfortable with their kicker until it's truly solidified, and if Smyth loses out, this could be the time the Saints finally move on from him
RB Devin Neal
Devin Neal is someone that I do not believe would be cut, but that's what would make it a complete shock. Currently, the Saints RB room is Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson. Last season, the Saints brought in 4 RBs, Kamara, Miller, Devin Neal, and Velus Jones, and that number should be the case this season. '
Looking at the group, Etienne is the #1 guy, Kamara is on a larger contract and can still add a positive impact to the offense, Miller still has potential that the staff could believe in, and Estime stepped up last season and proved his worth. Neal's path to making the roster is less clear than before, and he could be a shock cut.
Continue reading...
