Canal Street Chronicles
There are a lot of hard decisions to be made.
Now that preseason is over, the New Orleans Saints face the most challenging decision a team can make: the final 53-man roster.
Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener.
No matter who wins the backup quarterback competition, both players should stay on the roster.
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims, James Robinson. (Kendre Miller IR)*
Throughout the preseason, Jordan Mims and James Robinson have been consistent and have been able to make impact plays during the games. Both running backs should make the final cut. Jacob Kibodi was another name in consideration, but the Saints will probably want him on the practice squad. No fullbacks end up making the final roster, and during the season, I would not be surprised to see Jamaal Williams or Taysom Hill used in that spot.
*Teams can now have two players put on the IR to start the season, and they do not count towards the final 53-man roster. Kendre Miller would be a prime option for this new rule.
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Cedrick Wilson, A.T. Perry, Samson Nacua, Bub Means.
Wide receiver may be the hardest position to decide on for the final roster. The first four listed should be locked in to make the final roster. Samson Nacua deserves a final roster spot based on his special team's impact, clutch catches, and locker room impact. The last player that makes the cut is Bub Means. Although injuries have affected his preseason, there were flashes when Means played, and the Saints should use the 6th spot to keep him on the final roster.
Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Dallin Holker.
If the Saints decide to keep only Johnson, Moreau, and Hill as the final tight ends, I would not be surprised, but the team should do everything to keep Dallin Holker on the final roster. During training camp and preseason, Holker has been able to show growth, a willingness to block, and an in-game impact.
Eric McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Trevor Penning, Lucas Patrick, Oli Udoh, Landon Young, Shane Lemieux, Kyle Hergel. (Nick Saldiveri IR)*
The Saints need as much offensive line help as they can. Depending on moves the Saints could make in free agency or the trade market, this list could look a little different, but for now, this is how the offensive line group could look after final cuts. Besides McCoy, Ruiz, Fuaga, and Penning, every other spot is up for grabs, and some surprises could happen.
*Nick Saldiveri would be the second choice for the new IR rule.
Cam Jordan, Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, Khristian Boyd.
The Saints' defensive line has much higher expectations than last season, and the final cuts will reflect this. Payton Turner has been relatively healthy throughout preseason and has shown a...
