The New Orleans Saints’ season opener begins in 3.5 weeks. But August 27 is fast approaching, the deadline by which NFL teams must reduce their rosters from 90 to 53. Several position battles still need to be decided before then.
Replacement quarterback
Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener
It would be a shock if any of these players were released. But because of the position, the battle has drawn the most attention in training camp. Both Rattler and Haener had impressive performances in the first preseason game of the year. There is no real difference between the first- and second-year quarterbacks so far, which will likely become apparent after the two preseason games.
Even if one of them gets the backup quarterback job, they are both so young and inexperienced that this could change at any point during the season.
Proper Tackle
Trevor Penning, Oli Udoh
Right now, it’s not really a competition. Penning has taken over every starting right tackle position so far in training camp. But that’s worth emphasizing because Penning hasn’t convinced anyone that right tackle will be his job in the regular season. In addition to his inconsistent play in camp, he was a clear weakness on the Saints’ offensive line in their first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
According to NOF’s Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett, Udoh started taking more snaps on the second team as the right tackle after previously rotating at the first-team left guard position. This likely means the team wants Udoh to become more comfortable at the right tackle position in case Penning doesn’t improve. Udoh wasn’t particularly good in New Orleans’ preseason game against the Cardinals, once picking up penalties on two consecutive plays.
The right tackle is the team’s biggest weakness and could become a big problem if neither Penning nor Udoh step into the breach.
Left Guard
Lucas Patrick, Nick Saldiveri
Saldiveri came into training camp at left guard, but quickly suffered a calf injury and hasn’t returned since. The Saints signed Lucas Patrick, who started 15 games for the Chicago Bears. He hasn’t had a breakout training camp yet, but he’s a seven-year veteran and healthy. Saldiveri was injured in his rookie season and hasn’t started an NFL game. Udoh played with Patrick until this week. Patrick can only lose that job now.
Receiver depth
AT Perry, Mason Tipton, Bub Means, Samson Nacua, Stanley Morgan Jr., Kevin Austin Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown, Shaquan Davis
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Cedrick Wilson are all likely to make the roster, the question is who else will make the cut. Perry is the most likely candidate, having four touchdowns last season and three in the last three games. Dennis Allen has been underwhelming to start training camp, but a solid performance highlighted by a 58-yard catch in the preseason game helped him.
Tipton was a good story early in training camp as an undrafted free agent, but suffered a hamstring injury last week. If he doesn’t return to the field and continue to make good plays, he could have a tough time making the team. Means and St. Brown have also been injured. Means was drafted in the fifth round this year, while St. Brown was signed this offseason. Both are near the cut line, but a solid training camp should help them. Nacua, Morgan Jr., Austin Jr. and Davis are all outside hitters. Nacua made a couple of nice catches, Austin Jr. had a great catch in practice on Thursday. All four have flashed their skills, but unless one of them makes consistent good plays, they likely won’t make the 53-man roster.
Security
Will Harris, Jonathan Abram, Jordan Howden
It’s never good when New Orleans comes up short in the Justin Simmons sweepstakes, especially if he signs with the Atlanta Falcons. Abram and Howden both started at safety for the Saints last season. Harris started a few games at cornerback for the Detroit Lions last season.
Allen said none of them did enough to get the job, as each of them rotated alongside Tyrann Mathieu. It could be that the defensive staff decides who plays on a given game.
Kickers
Blake Grupe, Charlie Smyth
Both Grupe and Smyth have had decent training camps. Grupe made both field goals in the preseason game, while the Irishman made the game-winning 37-yard kick, which was his only attempt of the night. Grupe has the advantage because he was the team’s starter all of last season, but it’s all up for grabs right now. Smyth has more potential due to his leg strength, but Grupe is the more mature product.
player
Lou Hedley, Matthew Hayball
Hedley, like Grupe, has the upper hand (sorry, not sorry) in this contest because he was with the team all of last season. He described the contest this week by saying “the kitchen is hot” in the special teams room. He looked good against Arizona and all reports say he has improved since his rookie season.
Hayball comes from Vanderbilt, where he was one of the best punters in college football last season. He also had a solid training camp. The undrafted free agent should have a chance to beat Hedley, but not a big one.
