The NFL’s roster cut deadline is nearly here, with just one more preseason game available for players on the fringe of the depth chart to make a lasting impression. Tough decisions are in store for the New Orleans Saints when they begin to whittle their 90-man list down to a 53-man roster to carry into the regular season. Here’s 20 Saints players who need a strong performance in their preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins to make the cut.
Running backs and tight ends
- RB Devine Ozigbo
- TE Dan Arnold
- TE Alize Mack
- TE A.J. Derby
The running back rotation is settled, with Alvin Kamara at the top and Latavius Murray spelling him. Dwayne Washington is a fine number-three option, though his recent concussion should give Ozigbo the lion’s share of opportunities in the final preseason game. The Saints rarely carry fewer than four running backs (not including the fullback) into the regular season, only keeping three last year with the knowledge that Mark Ingram would be return from a four-game suspension to start the year. This is Ozigbo’s chance to solidify their trust in him and win a roster spot.
At tight end, nothing is secure after the top two options. Sean Payton’s coaching staff has done everything it can to put Arnold in a position to succeed, but his poor catching ability has dogged him throughout the preseason. The practice squad is a likely landing spot for Mack, who missed much of training camp with an undisclosed injury. Derby made several plays against the New York Jets last week and has more extensive NFL experience than his competition.
Wide receivers
- WR Austin Carr
- WR Simmie Cobbs
- WR Cyril Grayson Jr.
- WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Much like Arnold, the Saints have gone out of their way to help Carr fit in the offense. Whether it’s calling complimentary route combinations to help him get open or simply dialing up passes designed to go his way, they’ve given him ample opportunities to shine. And it hasn’t really happened. Whether he’s unable to consistently beat coverage or adjust to off-target catches, he hasn’t yet proven to be someone they can trust.
Of the other three options, Cobbs may have made the most of his opportunities. He’s flashed impressive body control on some difficult passes near the sideline, as well as an eagerness to compete for dangerous throws over the middle and into the teeth of opposing defenses. Grayson’s track-and-field speed is impressive, but he may need a year on the practice squad to develop further. Humphrey’s moments have either been very bright (see: his catch-and-run touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings) or very low (frequent drops in practice).
Offensive line
- OL Will Clapp
- OL Patrick Omameh
- OL Michael Ola
- OL Marshall Newhouse
The Saints only have six real, viable offensive linemen right now (the starting five plus Nick Easton). They badly need one of these four to step up and offer a trustworthy backup plan should something happen to one of the starting tackles, whether it’s Terron Armstead (who frequently misses a few games) or Ryan Ramczyk (who’s barely missed a snap in his first two years).
Newhouse, Ola, and Omameh have each gotten reps in preseason games at the tackle spots, and none of them have left a lasting, positive reaction. Clapp has been phased out of the battle to compete for reps at center and has been relegated to a reserve role at left guard. If he doesn’t make it through roster cuts this year, it would leave the Saints with just two members of last year’s seven-man draft class (Marcus Davenport and Tre’Quan Smith) still in town. That’s not a good hit rate
Defensive line
- DT Ziggy Hood
- DT Sylvester Williams
- DE Geneo Grissom
- DE Corbin Kaufusi
Things appear to be trending upwards along the defensive line, with Sheldon Rankins practicing again and Trey Hendrickson having his best summer as a professional. Still, with Rankins and his primary backup (David Onyemata) out for Week 1, and the presumptive starter in their place (Mario Edwards Jr.) sidelined with his own injury, it’s easy to see the Saints carrying an additional three-technique defensive tackle into the regular season, at least temporarily. Of the available options, Hood has the most successful NFL experience in that role.
All eyes will be on Marcus Davenport out on the edge, where he’ll start opposite Cameron Jordan. The Saints played a three-man rotation there last year, reducing Hendrickson to just a handful of game appearances. But with Alex Okafor out of the picture he’ll have plenty of opportunities to show up in big third-down situations. If the Saints were more active in rotating their defensive ends in and out of the game, someone like Grissom or Kaufusi might make the cut.
Linebackers
- LB Porter Gustin
- LB Vince Biegel
- LB Will Compton
- LB Colton Jumper
The Saints are missing a starter (Alex Anzalone) and their top backup (Craig Robertson), so it’s possible any of these four guys on the fringe of the roster make the cut. Of the group, Biegel may be the favorite given his experience in the Saints’ system. But it will take contributions on special teams as well as confidence within the Saints defense to win over coaches, and a strong outing against the Dolphins on punt and kickoff coverage could be the difference in earning a roster spot or hoping for a call to join the practice squad.
Gustin’s case is interesting because he doesn’t play linebacker anymore. The Saints still give him that designation but he’s lined up exclusively at defensive end since the first few days of training camp. While he’s won his share of one-on-one battles against blockers, he hasn’t produced many quarterback pressures. He’d be a good fit on the practice squad but you have to think his aims are higher than that.
Defensive backs
- CB Ken Crawley
- CB Patrick Robinson
- CB/RS Marcus Sherels
There other potential roster cuts here (safeties J.T. Gray and T.J. Green, cornerbacks Kayvon Webster and Terrell Williams Jr.) that wouldn’t be nearly as surprising, so we’re highlighting these three, each of whom has some starter’s experience. Robinson has been outplayed by P.J. Williams throughout training camp and the preseason, and despite a few good moments has too often looked like the odd man out. Don’t be shocked if the Saints try to make a trade and recoup some draft assets — or another player — for one of their former starting cornerbacks.
As for Sherels, he was the initial favorite to return punts and kickoffs before getting sidelined with an undisclosed injury. In his absence, undrafted rookie Deonte Harris has really impressed and seemingly won the race. Barring a couple of last-minute heroics from Sherels, the Vikings record-holder may find himself on the free agent market again.
