The New Orleans Saints host the Tennessee Titans in their last preseason game on Sunday. By the following Tuesday, August 27, all NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players.
Established veterans across the league will be looking for fresh opportunities. Such will be the situation in New Orleans, where numerous roster positions remain open. For those Saints players who underperformed in training camp, Sunday’s game represents a last chance to impress coaches and maintain their spot on the team.
Here are some New Orleans veterans who are on the roster bubble and may be left out when roster decisions are finalised.
James Robinson, RB.
New Orleans Saints rushing back James Robinson (26) spins for extra yards against the Arizona Cardinals.
Robinson, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois State who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, rushed for 1,070 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He went on to record 767 yards and eight touchdowns with the Jaguars in 2021 before breaking his Achilles tendon late in the season.
Robinson hasn’t exhibited the same burst since his Achilles injury, and he’s dealing with other lingering leg issues. The Saints, who added him to their practice squad late last season, are his seventh franchise in three seasons.
During training camp, Robinson, 26, performed well as an inside runner and on off-tackle plays for the New Orleans Saints. In two preseason games, he has averaged 4.9 yards per run while rushing for 59 yards on 12 attempts and 11 yards receiving on two catches. He’s also returned two kickoffs for 56 yards, adding vital versatility to the team.
Robinson appears to be in a competition with second-year running back Jordan Mims for a slot. Mims had identical preseason numbers but has shown to be more explosive. If RB Kendre Miller (ankle) is not ready to start the season, the Saints may keep both backs, as well as veteran Jamaal Williams, on the roster.
Adam Prentice, FB
Taysom Hill (7) of the New Orleans Saints sprints behind fullback Adam Prentice (46), against the Carolina Panthers.
Prentice, 27, has been with the Saints for the past three years after being released from the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie in 2021. During those three seasons, Prentice carried nine times for 26 yards and caught eight receptions for 37 yards.
Following the dismissal of Zander Horvath last week, Prentice is the only true fullback on the roster. That does not mean he is assured a job. While Prentice is a serviceable lead blocker, the Saints may consider upgrading in that position.
Furthermore, Prentice has little value as a short-yardage runner or receiver out of the backfield. Klint Kubiak, the new offensive coordinator, frequently employs both attributes.
Taysom Hill saw work as a fullback during training camp and performed admirably in an extended backfield role against the 49ers. It’s feasible that the Saints will use Hill as a hybrid fullback to keep a runner like Robinson on the roster. They may also look for a fullback who better fits Kubiak’s playbook once other teams make their cuts.
Shane Lemieux, G.C.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) passes under pressure from the San Francisco 49ers, while Shane Lemieux (66) provides blocking. // Kyle Terada.-USA TODAY Sports.
The Saints offensive line has been under intense scrutiny this offseason. Lemieux, one of numerous new arrivals, has struggled to live up to the expectations placed on him when he signed. The New York Giants selected Lemieux in the fifth round in 2020 from Oregon, and he initially showed a lot of promise. However, a succession of major injuries have limited him to only six games in the last three years.
Injuries have continued to limit Lemieux’s time with the Saints, preventing him from participating in a number of key sessions. He played in both preseason games but did not do well.
Against San Francisco, New Orleans showed a notable improvement up front. That did not include Lemieux, who made multiple bad snaps from centre, gave up crucial inside pressure in pass protection, and received minimal push as a run blocker. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints scouted some lineman after other teams made their decisions. It’s difficult to see Lemieux as one of the linemen vying for a roster berth.
Isaiah Foskey, Delaware
New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey (55) rushes against the Houston Texans.
Foskey, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, made little impact as a rookie with the Saints. He played only 83 defensive snaps over 10 games, recording nine tackles with none for loss, one tipped pass, and no quarterback pressures.
In his second year, Foskey was expected to perform much better. So far, the return does not appear promising. He has shown some promise as a pass rusher, but he continually takes terrible angles at the quarterback. Against the run, Foskey is absolutely lost. He’s frequently been out of position and has demonstrated minimal understanding of offences.
Foskey, 23, possesses a terrific blend of power and quickness at 6’5″ and 265 pounds. As a second-round pick on a rookie contract, he should be safe during the early roster cuts. If he fails to produce, that security may be short-lived.
Foskey is already down in the depth chart, trailing Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Chase Young, and even Payton Turner. The Saints will most likely keep five ends, but Foskey may be the odd man out during game-day activities. Furthermore, Tanoh Kpassagnon has a good chance of taking his spot after he recovers from an Achilles injury that will keep him out for the first half of the year. Foskey’s position may be safe for the time being, but it is just tenuous.
Linebackers: D’Marco Jackson, Khaleke Hudson, and Monty Rice.
New Orleans Saints linebacker D’Marco Jackson (52) recovers an onside kick against the Carolina Panthers.
In previous seasons, the Saints struggled to fill out their depth chart at linebacker due to a lack of quality depth. This season, the position appears to be incredibly deep in quality and adaptability. Demario Davis, Willie Gay Jr., and Pete Werner have wrapped up the first three positions. Anfernee Orji, a second-year LB, appears to have solidified the fourth slot after a strong camp and preseason.
New Orleans will almost certainly keep five linebackers, but a sixth may be added because to the agility required on special teams. Throughout training camp, the competition for the final linebacker slot has been strong.
Jackson was draughted in the fifth round in 2022 out of Appalachian State. After missing his whole rookie year, he was one of the team’s top special teams players last season. This year, Jackson has a greater understanding of the defence and is getting forcefully to the ball against both the run and the pass.
Hudson, a former NCAA safety, excelled on special teams and in passing situations during his first three seasons with Washington before joining the Saints this offseason. He excels in coverage and wide space, with both high speed and strong awareness.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Khaleke Hudson (47) and defensive end Chase Young (99) against the Arizona Cardinals. / Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Rice, a 2021 third-round pick out of Georgia, spent his first three seasons with the Tennessee Titans before joining the New Orleans Saints late last season. He’s a fantastic run defender with the quickness and instincts to excel in zone coverage. Rice is a more typical linebacker with the size and strength to play on early downs and in short yardage situations.
All three of these linebackers, as well as undrafted rookie Isaiah Stalbird, have performed admirably during training camp. They’ve also demonstrated that on the pitch in both preseason games, making this a difficult option for coaches.
Some New Orleans veterans are attempting to maintain their positions despite inconsistent or unreliable play. This is not the case at linebacker, where five players can legitimately compete for the final two or three positions. It is just one of several close games as the Saints conclude their preseason against Tennessee this weekend.
