New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara puts on a helmet during Saints Minicamp at the Saints Indoor Practice Facility in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The [New Orleans Saints](https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/saints-cesar-ruiz-responds-to-criticism/article_f9682f22-64ff-4d7e-9633-6095a08aa427.html) have roughly six weeks off before they reconvene for training camp in late July.
To pass the time, how about a way-too-soon 53-man roster projection?
It may be premature to predict how the Saints will narrow their 90-man roster to 53 by the fall, but with five offseason practices open to reporters — and there was plenty to observe — let’s take a stab at it, anyway.
### Quarterbacks (2): Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler
In this projection, Zach Wilson is the odd man out. Despite the Saints signing the former Jets starter this offseason, coach Kellen Moore’s first year featured New Orleans keeping only two quarterbacks because the team needed the roster spot elsewhere. Numbers could be equally as tight this year.
Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, was uneven throughout the offseason workouts open to reporters. While that could be chalked up to the quarterback adjusting to a new system, he’ll have to show more consistency to push Rattler for the backup job behind Shough.
### Running backs (4): Travis Etienne, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Kendre Miller
That Alvin Kamara is still on the roster after the conclusion of mandatory minicamp does not mean the running back’s situation is settled. Far from it. The lack of a hard commitment to Kamara — and that it doesn't appear the Saints have approached him yet about taking a pay cut — suggests he may not be on the roster.
Elsewhere, it remains to be seen when Miller will be ready to return from the torn ACL he suffered in October. If it turns out he’s a candidate to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, that might open a roster spot for running back Ty Chandler.
Is wide receiver the deepest position on the roster? Players such as Kevin Austin and Ronnie Bell had impressive moments this offseason, but yet they could very well face a numbers crunch. The top four seems solidified, while Lance and Brown make it as rookies. Brown gives the Saints an option at returner.
### Tight ends (4): Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp, Moliki Matavao
Tight ends are going to be a bigger part of the offense in 2026. And there’s a strong case to be made for keeping four of them. Matavao, a seven-round selection last year, has flashed nicely as a receiver and seems to keep improving. The Saints might not want to risk putting him on waivers.
The main question about this group centers around what the Saints do at — ahem — center behind McCoy. After McCoy dealt with back-to-back season-ending injuries, the Saints know they need to be prepared. For now, Simpkins earns the nod over William Sherman.
### Defensive ends (6): Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Chris Rumph, Anfernee Jennings, Tyree Wilson
Maybe this is one too many defensive ends, but a team can never have enough pass rushers. The Saints re-signed Jordan this week and previously added Wilson and Jennings. For now, all three make it to complement Young, Granderson and Rumph.
Davon Godchaux would be a notable cut after starting 14 games last year. But his playing time decreased as the season went along, and the Saints have two young interior defensive linemen in Miller and Broughton whom they’d like to give more playing time. This is a very crowded position, as it was last year when the Saints ended up trading Khalen Saunders for center Luke Fortner.
### Linebackers (5): Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford
This seems pretty clear-cut. Elliss, Werner and Stutsman are the top three, while Stalbird and Ford serve as valuable special team contributors.
It will be interesting to see whether the Saints do more at this position between now and the start of the season. McKinstry and Riley are the unquestioned starters, but the depth is relatively thin behind them. Emerson did appear to perform well in his snaps with the second team, but the former Browns starter is coming off a torn Achilles. Yiadom and Styles could factor more into special teams.
In this projection, seventh-round corner T.J. Hall misses out as the Saints’ lone pick from their most recent draft class to not make the roster. But he could very well earn his spot in training camp.
### Safeties (4): Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden
Sanker will serve as the nickel corner, so he’ll spend a lot of time on the inside. That leaves Reid and Blackmon on the back end, with Howden behind them for depth. If the Saints do keep five safeties, perhaps they’ll trim down on the number of edge rushers.
### Kicker, punter and long snapper (3): Tanner Brown, Ryan Wright, Zach Wood
The Saints didn’t just sign Brown this week to be a camp body. By giving the UFL standout a two-year contract worth nearly $2 million, the Saints ensured there will be a legitimate competition between Brown and incumbent Charlie Smyth.
It feels foolish to predict that Brown will beat out Smyth without seeing him kick in a Saints uniform yet, but let’s go out on a limb. The 26-year-old went 29-of-32 for the Louisville Kings this past season, including in the UFL playoffs. He’s the first kicker to have made two attempts of at least 60 yards in a single game, too. If he translates that consistency to the NFL, it could give him the edge over Smyth.