New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore watches as quarterbacks participate in minicamp practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
After two months of offseason workouts, the New Orleans Saints’ roster battles have started to crystallize. Besides the obvious competition taking place at quarterback, numerous spots — especially at running back, wide receiver and along the defensive line — are up for grabs.
A new coaching staff in place only adds to the intrigue.
When the Saints finally have to trim down the roster from 90 to 53 players come the fall, it remains to be seen how Kellen Moore’s preferences will influence the team’s final cuts. But with five practices open to reporters this offseason, let’s project what the Saints’ opening day roster might look like.
### Quarterback (3): Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener
Moore’s imprint on the roster could be best reflected at this position. In addition to choosing a starter, does he believe in a team carrying three quarterbacks on the roster? If he’d rather use the final spot elsewhere, that could mean bad news for Haener. Still, Haener is only in his third season and the last few years in the NFL have reminded teams that quarterback depth is absolutely necessary.
### Running back (4): Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire
It was tempting to leave Miller off this list, but as much as his career has stalled since the 2023 third rounder was drafted, things would have to get significantly worse for him to be a surprise cut. The Saints’ coaching staff has made clear, however, that everyone not named Kamara is fighting for a job. New Orleans not only rotated reps between the backs consistently throughout the spring, but the teams also added another veteran (Cam Akers) to the group recently.
Of these six, the last three spots figure to be the most up for grabs. Wilson has familiarity with Moore, dating back to their days in Dallas. Means has had an impressive offseason, which could give him the edge over other young prospects like Kevin Austin and Mason Tipton. Pettis is an obvious returner candidate, though he’s displayed some chemistry with the quarterbacks.
### Offensive line (8): Kelvin Banks, Trevor Penning, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Dillon Radunz, Will Clapp, Landon Young
Eight offensive linemen may seem too few given the emphasis that Moore has made about building through the trenches. But with numbers tight elsewhere, and a 16-man practice squad, perhaps the Saints can afford to go a little lighter at the position.
You’ll note no Tayson Hill on this list, but that has more to do with the uncertainty regarding his knee injury. For these purposes, consider Hill — who tore his ACL and suffered additional damage last December — to open the season on the league’s Physically Unable to Perform list. That would knock him out for at least the first four games of the season. If Hill can go, he’ll obviously make the final roster.
The same consideration was given for Moreau, who is also coming off a serious knee injury but said he hopes to be back by training camp.
### Edge rusher (4): Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Isaiah Foskey,
### Defensive line (6): Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Vernon Broughton, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, Jonah Williams
Good luck figuring this one out right now. The Saints’ defensive line is arguably the most crowded spot on the roster. And there are plenty of questions that come with it. Can New Orleans afford to keep both Saunders and Shepherd after acquiring Godchaux and Broughton? Are they going to part ways with Khristian Boyd and John Ridgeway? Is Isaiah Foskey, a 2023 second rounder, in danger of missing the roster?
### Linebacker (5): Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Nephi Sewell, D’Marco Jackson
The top three seem pretty solidified, but there’s room on the back end to make a dent. Sewell and Jackson, for now, get the nod for special teams purposes, but Jaylan Ford could also contribute well in that area. It was tempting to put only four linebackers here, but defensive coordinator Brandon Staley went with five inside linebackers in each of his three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Burgess and Amadi were two of the toughest calls when doing this exercise. Both players can play inside cornerback and safety, and both appeared to have strong offseasons. Burgess started his career under Staley when they were with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, while Amadi has been a steady presence in the Saints’ secondary over the last two seasons. For now, let’s keep them both.
### Specialists (3): Blake Grupe, Matthew Hayball and Zach Wood
If James Burnip beats out Hayball this summer, the Saints’ incumbent punter will have lost his job in three straight training camps. But Hayball showed promise as a rookie, and if he can take a step forward, that should be enough to hold off Burnip. Grupe also is expected to face competition from Charlie Smyth, but Grupe has been the most consistent of the two.