The NFL Draft is now behind us and most NFL teams have signed its undrafted players. The focus now turns to signing your drafted players and perhaps filling a few spots on your squad with inexpensive veterans.
With that being said we can look at our teams and get a pretty good look at what the team is shaping up to be. Here’s my first projection of the 2023 New Orleans Saints 53 man roster.
Offense
Quarterbacks (3)
Derek Carr
Jameis Winston
Jake Haener (R)
The Saints spent heavily on veteran signal Derek Carr to lead the offense. The idea is the Carr provides the leadership and deep ball explosive plays to open up Saints offense. The reworking of former starter Jameis Winston was masterful to provide a solid back up in case of struggle or injury. The drafting of 4th round draft pick Jake Haener gives team future Qb prospect that isn’t in conflict of the room.
Running back (3)
Alvin Kamara
Jamaal Williams
Kendre Miller (R)
The Saints know star all world running back Alvin Kamara is facing a tough legal situation, stemming from an incident that occurred in Las Vegas during pro bowl week end. The team solidifies the room by signing former Detroit Lion running back Jamaal Williams. Williams coming off an NFL leading 17 rushing TDs provides an excellent combo option with Kamara and a capable injury policy. Third round pick Kendre Miller form TCU is the perfect mix of speed, power and vision the Saints need to mix it up in the room on Sundays.
Full back (1)
Adam Prentiss
Wide Receivers (6)
Chris Olave
Michael Thomas
Rasheed Shaheed
Bryan Edwards
A.T. Perry
Malik Flowers
The Saints wideout room is much improved as Chris Olave, Rasheed Shaheed take steps in the next year of their careers. The reworking of Mike Thomas is one of the most important parts of this skill group. If “Cant Guard Mike” returns to form this unit will improve greatly. The Saints have done a fantastic job of bringing in taller and faster wideouts like 6th round rookie A.T. Perry & former Raider WR Bryan Edwards that will make catches all over the field. The team also signed what could be another special team return ace in Malik Flowers from Montana. Flowers has a similar impressive special team resume as Rasheed Shaheed, tying many of his return feats stats wise.
Tight end (3)
Juwan Johnson
Foster Moreau
Taysom Hill
The tight end room is a very interesting squad with the slick Juwan Johnson, who was extended on a two year deal. The signing of Foster Moreau gives the team a complete player whose not only good at blocking but also can catch the ball. Moreau has a familiarity with QB Carr from their Raider days so he could be a security blanket for the signal caller. Taysom Hill who is one of the most versatile players in the league brings up the rear of this group. Hill will be used all over the offense of the Saints as the true utility player that he is.
Left Offensive Tackle (2)
Trevor Penning
James Hurst
Left Offensive Guard (1)
Andrus Peat
Nick Saldiveri or James Hurst
Center (2)
Erik McCoy
Mark Evans 2
Right Offensive Guard (2)
Caesar Ruiz
Nick Saldiveri
Right Offensive Tackle (2)
Ryan Ramczyk
Storm Norton
The Saints offensive line group has a lot of returning players who at times during the season missed games due to injury. The team wanted to keep the starters together to provide stability for the incoming QB Derek Carr. The line has several players facing a contract year and could be an incentive to level up their play for a payday. The Saints drafted 4th round rookie Nick Saldiveri, who plays guard and tackle for oline depth. They even added big veteran tackle Storm Norton and undrafted O-linemen Mark Davis the 2nd out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff, who plays center and guard.
Defense
Left Defensive end (2)
Cameron Jordan
Payton Turner
Left Defensive tackle (2)
Nathan Sheppard
Bryan Breesee
Right Defensive Tackle (2)
Khalen Saunders
Malcolm Roach
Right Defensive End (3)
Carl Granderson
Isaiah Foskey
Tanoh Kpassagnon
The defensive line has three new starters to join New Orleans sack master Cameron Jordan. The key to success for this unit is that, former first round draft pick Payton Turner has to level up his play. Turner will be in a very stiff competition with guys like Carl Granderson & second round draft pick Isaiah Foskey. The team has to find out who will be the starter and situational pass rusher to even out the rotation. New Orleans allowed both interior defensive lineman to leave via free agency only to sign former Chief Khalen Saunders and former Jet Nate Shepard. They also drafted DT Bryan Breesee in the first round out of Clemson and re-upped with high motor interior linemen Malcom Roach. The idea here is that the teams rush stuffing unit last year was a major disappointment and in severe need of an upgrade. Tanoh Kpassagnon could be used like a swing defensive lineman who plays inside as well as outside.
Linebackers (6)
Demario Davis
Pete Warner
Zack Baun
D’Marco Jackson
Andrew Dowell
Anfernee Orji
The linebackers are solid as long as everyone remains healthy. All pro Demario Davis is the leader of this unit and continues to bring solid play at the position. Pete Warner plays extremely well when healthy but seems to miss more games then we would like to see. The truth is there are a lot of questions after the top two players are out of the way. Zack Baun a former third round draft pick who the Saints appear to be giving a chance to operate the third linebacker position. What other options do the team have beyond Baun if he struggles? The remaining players are mostly talented or inexperienced personnel who will need time to further develop.
Cornerbacks (5)
MarShon Lattimore
Paulson Adebo
Alontae Taylor
Bradley Roby
Lonnie Johnson Jr
Safeties(6)
Tyrann Mathieu
Marcus Maye
Jordan Howden
Johnathan Abram
J.T. Gray
The secondary is the deepest unit on the team. They have a great mix of veteran talent and young players with potential to play along side of Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. The Saints signed veterans Jonathan Abrams & Lonnie Johnson Jr who will provide lots of versatility. The drafting of Jordan Howden gives the team a future safety that plays with range and anticipation. I’m looking foward to seeing a healthy Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo & Alontae Taylor take the secondary to the next level.
Special Teams
Kicker (1)
Will Lutz
Punter (1)
Blake Gilliken
KR/PR
Malik Flowers
The collective eye of The Who Dat Nation is firmly positioned over Will Lutz after a dismal season kicking. Lutz post surgery turned in his worst FG percentage of his career and competition was brought in to challenge him. Blake Gillken will continue to improve his punting and a new KR/PR maybe making an appearance on the team. Malik Flowers would serve well in this role which will allow former return man Rasheed Shaheed to remain third wideout.
