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We've seen the New Orleans Saints offseason slow down to a crawl. All of the big events are behind us. The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, the big moves of free agency have fallen into place, and now we're waiting for players to hit the practice field. There will be a couple of days of work at rookie minicamp, then organized team activities, and a lot more waiting until training camp kicks off later this summer.
So what does the 53-man roster projection look like? With so many unsettled position groups, the better question may be asking how many players on the team are locks to be in that 53. The way things stand right now, it looks like there are about 37 locks to make the roster -- 20 on defense, 15 on offense, and two on special teams.
It's awful early in the process. The Saints have a couple of roster spots open after releasing some players and being granted an International Pathway Program exemption for their kicker Charlie Smyth, so we should expect some new arrivals after tryouts at next weekend's rookie minicamp. Still, here's a quick guess at how many spots may truly be up for grabs on the 53-man roster in September.
Rattler fans won't like this one, but we shouldn't rule out the possibility Wilson takes his spot as the team's second quarterback. Wilson has won a dozen games on worse teams than Rattler, who went 1-13 across two years with the Saints. Head coach Kellen Moore brought him in for a reason. Chances are, Rattler will win this battle, but it is very much a competition.
This is kind of a mess, and there isn't any certainty beyond Etienne. Kamara, Neal, and Miller all ended the 2025 season with injuries. Estime produced well once he got on the field but the Saints waited for each of those guys to get sidelined before giving him a chance. Chandler signed on a minimum salary and Donaldson is a rookie free agent. Why are the vibes surrounding Kamara's situation so weird?
Delp figures to be the go-to blocking tight end, but his versatility and athletic ability could lead to meaningful targets in the passing game as the year goes on. But his main utility will be freeing up Johnson and Fant to move around the formation. Matavao, Welch, and the guys behind them have their work cut out for them in trying to earn promotion from last year's practice squad.
The Saints guaranteed a big chunk of Herron's contract as an undrafted free agent, which suggests they value him enough to protect him on the practice squad (if not the 53-man roster). For context, his guarantees are almost identical to what Torricelli Simpkins III received last year before making the team and suiting up for 15 games. But we've seen guys in this situation underwhelm before.
Simpkins was an important backup last season but the Saints are much deeper this time around -- and if Saldiveri hadn't gone down with a season-ending training camp injury, Simpkins may have not made the team himself. He's got to earn that last roster spot on the offensive line by outworking his competition. All signs point to the Saints giving Ruiz this season to prove he's their long-term option at right guard, but there isn't an obvious alternative for him. Radunz is at his best as a backup and Wright isn't ready yet.
We used to pray for times like these. The Saints are suddenly fielding one of the NFL's fastest and deepest receiving corps, and some familiar names aren't going to make the team. Lance could be a healthy scratch for half the year while developing his route tree and Brown must prove his skills in the return game translate to the pros. Last season, the Saints maintained a group of eight receivers at all times; five or six on the 53-man roster, and two or three on the practice squad.
Two of the three specialists are locked down, but there's a kicking competition brewing. Smyth had some good moments and some bad kicks after replacing Blake Grupe midway through the 2025 season. Shipley has a strong college resume and should push him for the job. Let the best leg win.
Is there room for Cameron Jordan now? The Saints only rostered four of these guys last year and typically played all four of them. The better question may be if he's comfortable losing snaps to Wilson. That fourth spot is up for grabs. Heldman already has some fans, and understandably so given his athletic profile and win rate in college, so there's some intrigue here.
The Saints gave Silver some modest guarantees to sign as an undrafted free agent, but not enough to promise him a roster spot or anything. He's got to outwork his competition with Izzard returning from the practice squad. Could Godchaux be a post-June 1 cut? He was pushed down the depth chart late last season and the Saints could free up some salary cap space to help sign their draft class by letting him go.
It's been a very, very long time since the linebacker corps was this thin, but all five guys under contract should make the team. The Saints will probably sign one of their tryouts at rookie minicamp but nobody is shaking up this group too much. Ford and Stalbird are both key special teams contributors. One development to watch? See if Stutsman can take Werner's starting job at training camp later this summer. That could make the veteran available in trade talks with other teams.
If Styles is going to make the team, he'll have to stay healthy and prove he can make tackles downfield in the kicking game as effectively as he did at Ohio State. Howden is in a contract year. Burgess has a good chance but he needs to prove he's the best option to round out the depth chart. Numbers aren't on Davison's side after he spent last year on the practice squad.
Who is going to cover the slot? If Emerson wins a starting job, it may force Riley into an unfamiliar role, or take him off the field in favor of a safety like Blackmon. Bishop will miss the first three games with a suspension. Many of the guys further down the depth chart have nickel experience. But it still doesn't feel like the Saints have adequatelly replaced Alontae Taylor.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: How many 2026 Saints players are locks for the 53-man roster?
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So what does the 53-man roster projection look like? With so many unsettled position groups, the better question may be asking how many players on the team are locks to be in that 53. The way things stand right now, it looks like there are about 37 locks to make the roster -- 20 on defense, 15 on offense, and two on special teams.
It's awful early in the process. The Saints have a couple of roster spots open after releasing some players and being granted an International Pathway Program exemption for their kicker Charlie Smyth, so we should expect some new arrivals after tryouts at next weekend's rookie minicamp. Still, here's a quick guess at how many spots may truly be up for grabs on the 53-man roster in September.
Quarterbacks
- Roster locks: Tyler Shough
- On the bubble: Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson
- Long shots: N/A
Rattler fans won't like this one, but we shouldn't rule out the possibility Wilson takes his spot as the team's second quarterback. Wilson has won a dozen games on worse teams than Rattler, who went 1-13 across two years with the Saints. Head coach Kellen Moore brought him in for a reason. Chances are, Rattler will win this battle, but it is very much a competition.
Running backs
- Roster locks: Travis Etienne Jr.
- On the bubble: Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime
- Long shots: Ty Chandler, CJ Donaldson (rookie)
This is kind of a mess, and there isn't any certainty beyond Etienne. Kamara, Neal, and Miller all ended the 2025 season with injuries. Estime produced well once he got on the field but the Saints waited for each of those guys to get sidelined before giving him a chance. Chandler signed on a minimum salary and Donaldson is a rookie free agent. Why are the vibes surrounding Kamara's situation so weird?
Tight ends
- Roster locks: Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp (rookie)
- On the bubble: Moliki Matavao, Treyton Welch
- Long shots: Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Cody Hardy (rookie)
Delp figures to be the go-to blocking tight end, but his versatility and athletic ability could lead to meaningful targets in the passing game as the year goes on. But his main utility will be freeing up Johnson and Fant to move around the formation. Matavao, Welch, and the guys behind them have their work cut out for them in trying to earn promotion from last year's practice squad.
Offensive tackle
- Roster locks: Kelvin Banks Jr., Taliese Fuaga
- On the bubble: Asim Richards, Xavier Truss, Alan Herron (rookie)
- Long shots: Barry Wesley, Alex Wollschlaeger (rookie)
The Saints guaranteed a big chunk of Herron's contract as an undrafted free agent, which suggests they value him enough to protect him on the practice squad (if not the 53-man roster). For context, his guarantees are almost identical to what Torricelli Simpkins III received last year before making the team and suiting up for 15 games. But we've seen guys in this situation underwhelm before.
Offensive interior
- Roster locks: Erik McCoy (center), David Edwards (guard), Cesar Ruiz (guard), Dillon Radunz (guard), Jeremiah Wright (rookie guard)
- On the bubble: Torricelli Simpkins III, Nick Saldiveri, William Sherman
- Long shots: Easton Kilty
Simpkins was an important backup last season but the Saints are much deeper this time around -- and if Saldiveri hadn't gone down with a season-ending training camp injury, Simpkins may have not made the team himself. He's got to earn that last roster spot on the offensive line by outworking his competition. All signs point to the Saints giving Ruiz this season to prove he's their long-term option at right guard, but there isn't an obvious alternative for him. Radunz is at his best as a backup and Wright isn't ready yet.
Wide receiver
- Roster locks: Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson (rookie), Devaughn Vele
- On the bubble: Bryce Lance (rookie), Barion Brown (rookie), Bub Means, Mason Tipton, Ja'Lynn Polk, Trey Palmer
- Long shots: Kevin Austin Jr., Ronnie Bell, Damien Alford
We used to pray for times like these. The Saints are suddenly fielding one of the NFL's fastest and deepest receiving corps, and some familiar names aren't going to make the team. Lance could be a healthy scratch for half the year while developing his route tree and Brown must prove his skills in the return game translate to the pros. Last season, the Saints maintained a group of eight receivers at all times; five or six on the 53-man roster, and two or three on the practice squad.
Special teams
- Roster locks: Zach Wood (long snapper), Ryan Wright (punter)
- On the bubble: Charlie Smyth (kicker), Mason Shipley (rookie kicker)
- Long shots: N/A
Two of the three specialists are locked down, but there's a kicking competition brewing. Smyth had some good moments and some bad kicks after replacing Blake Grupe midway through the 2025 season. Shipley has a strong college resume and should push him for the job. Let the best leg win.
Edge rushers
- Roster locks: Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Tyree Wilson
- On the bubble: Chris Rumph II, Anfernee Jennings
- Long shots: Fadil Diggs, Myles Cole, Michael Heldman (rookie)
Is there room for Cameron Jordan now? The Saints only rostered four of these guys last year and typically played all four of them. The better question may be if he's comfortable losing snaps to Wilson. That fourth spot is up for grabs. Heldman already has some fans, and understandably so given his athletic profile and win rate in college, so there's some intrigue here.
Defensive interior
- Roster locks: Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Christen Miller (rookie), Vernon Broughton, John Ridgway III
- On the bubble: Davon Godchaux, Coziah Izzard
- Long shots: Keeshawn Silver (rookie), Jay'Viar Suggs (rookie)
The Saints gave Silver some modest guarantees to sign as an undrafted free agent, but not enough to promise him a roster spot or anything. He's got to outwork his competition with Izzard returning from the practice squad. Could Godchaux be a post-June 1 cut? He was pushed down the depth chart late last season and the Saints could free up some salary cap space to help sign their draft class by letting him go.
Linebackers
- Roster locks: Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Jaylan Ford, Isaiah Stalbird
- On the bubble: N/A
- Long shots: N/A
It's been a very, very long time since the linebacker corps was this thin, but all five guys under contract should make the team. The Saints will probably sign one of their tryouts at rookie minicamp but nobody is shaking up this group too much. Ford and Stalbird are both key special teams contributors. One development to watch? See if Stutsman can take Werner's starting job at training camp later this summer. That could make the veteran available in trade talks with other teams.
Safeties
- Roster locks: Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker, Julian Blackmon
- On the bubble: Jordan Howden, Terrell Burgess, Lorenzo Styles Jr. (rookie)
- Long shots: Elliott Davison
If Styles is going to make the team, he'll have to stay healthy and prove he can make tackles downfield in the kicking game as effectively as he did at Ohio State. Howden is in a contract year. Burgess has a good chance but he needs to prove he's the best option to round out the depth chart. Numbers aren't on Davison's side after he spent last year on the practice squad.
Cornerbacks
- Roster locks: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Isaac Yiadom, Martin Emerson Jr.
- On the bubble: Rejzohn Wright, TJ Hall (rookie)
- Long shots: Dalys Beanum, Jayden Price, Beanie Bishop, Jeremiah McClendon (rookie), DaShawn Jones (rookie)
Who is going to cover the slot? If Emerson wins a starting job, it may force Riley into an unfamiliar role, or take him off the field in favor of a safety like Blackmon. Bishop will miss the first three games with a suspension. Many of the guys further down the depth chart have nickel experience. But it still doesn't feel like the Saints have adequatelly replaced Alontae Taylor.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: How many 2026 Saints players are locks for the 53-man roster?
Continue reading...
