IRVINE, Calif. — Anyone who follows the New Orleans Saints will be paying attention to the team’s quarterback competition in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s obvious.
But there’s also plenty else to monitor.
Here are six players — in six separate position battles — who could benefit from a strong performance to begin the preseason
Velus Jones, running back
When told running backs coach Joel Thomas called him the fastest running back on the roster, Jones declared he was the fastest player on the team. Period. Will that speed help him land a roster spot? The former wide receiver turned running back has had an impressive camp, but running back might be the team’s most competitive battle — even when including the quarterbacks.
Torricelli Simpkins III, offensive line
The Saints have begun cross-training several offensive linemen up front, and these changes have resulted in Simpkins moving from guard to center. That could strengthen the undrafted free agent’s case to make the roster. Simpkins has looked good at center, a spot that had been shaky behind starter Erik McCoy.
Jonathan Bullard, defensive end
Bullard has familiarity with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, but he’s seemed to fall down the depth chart of late. When he first signed late last month, the Saints gave him a heavy dose of first-team reps to begin camp. But recently, he’s been supplanted by Nathan Shepherd pretty consistently, and now Bullard appears to be fighting for a roster spot.
Jayden Price, cornerback
Is Price this year’s Rico Payton? Payton made the 53-man roster a year ago thanks to his feisty play and special-teams prowess. Price, a 5-foot-11 corner fresh off a UFL stint, has shown a similar scrapiness in both areas. Like Payton, who’s also still in the mix, he’ll need to show out in the preseason to make his case.
Kai Kroeger, punter
The Saints cut incumbent Matthew Hayball earlier this week, before the team departed for California. That leaves undrafted free agent James Burnip to compete against Kroeger, who also went undrafted this past spring but signed with the Saints this month following a stint with the New York Jets. Kroeger impressed coaches in his workout to land a contract. Can he impress again?
Mason Tipton, wide receiver
For the second straight year, Tipton has been a training camp All-Star. But will his practice productivity translate to the games? The Yale product had a quiet rookie season with only 14 catches for 99 yards in 11 games. And in five of those contests, he played more than 50% of the snaps.