When asked about Kendre Miller’s status and told there was less than a week until the roster would have to be reduced to 53 players, New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen smiled slightly as a reporter finished his remarks.
“I know pretty much when the roster cuts are going to happen,” Allen said of the Aug. 27 deadline.
Allen, his staff and members of the Saints’ front office have met to discuss the roster, as is customary this time of year, but before cuts are made, players have one last chance to make an impression: Sunday’s final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
There are still plenty of spots up for grabs, and with that knowledge in mind, let’s look at 10 Saints who are on the fence. These players aren’t necessarily the ones battling for a spot in the starting lineup or even key backup roles — so you won’t find Trevor Penning or Spencer Rattler on this list — but the ones the NFL dreams of making the roster could hinge on their performance on Sunday.
10. CB Rico Payton
Payton is a strange guy. His training camp hasn’t been smooth sailing by any means, but he’s had two excellent preseason games to make up for it. If New Orleans continues to have five corners, Shemar Jean-Charles would appear to have the edge on Payton and could challenge for the final spot. But maybe that will change.
9. TE Michael Jacobson
Jacobson missed a week with a foot injury, but the door could open for him at the right time. Undrafted free agent Dallin Holker is nursing an ankle injury, meaning Jacobson will likely get plenty of playing time this weekend. Holker has worked ahead of Jacobson when he was healthy, but the latter has done well as a former college basketball player turned tight end.
8. T Josiah Ezirim
The New Orleans Saints haven’t released one of their own draftees in the same year they were drafted since defensive tackle Jordan Jackson in 2022. But Ezirim could be in danger of being released, as he’s a raw talent who still needs a lot of development. Hence the “raw” description. He should make it through waivers to make the practice squad, but he can make a case to be kept (or land elsewhere) with a strong performance.
7. S Ugo Amadi
What should the Saints do with Amadi? That’s a good question. Amadi played a useful role for New Orleans last season as a backup nickel, getting playing time when Alontae Taylor was on the bench. He hasn’t had quite the same impact this summer. He missed more than two weeks with a groin injury and hasn’t been able to do much in a crowded secondary. But he’s a talented player, which puts him on the line.
6. RB Jordan Mims
Mims’ status could depend on what the Saints do with Miller, the 2023 third-round pick who has been out with a hamstring injury since being injured in the first practice of training camp. This year, unlike in past seasons, NFL teams are allowed to place up to two players on the injured list on a cutdown day and still return them after missing at least four games. Allen declined to say whether that would be an option for Miller, but if so, it could greatly benefit Mims.
5. WR Equanimeous St. Brown
St. Brown is on the fence, but so are Stanley Morgan, Kevin Austin Jr., Spencer Nacua and maybe even AT Perry – the latter would be a surprise if he goes, but has yet to secure his spot on the roster. Allen said the Saints had to make “tough decisions” when selecting the wide receiver. Of the group, St. Brown had a quiet training camp, but he has also been getting first-team time recently.
4. LB Anfernee Orji
Demario Davis had high praise for Orji this week, saying the linebacker’s progress in his second year was so evident that he almost looks like a different player. He’s not exaggerating. Orji can secure his spot with another strong game, but he’s made a good case for landing at 53 throughout training camp. Orji has credited his development to his work with a mental health therapist.
3. G Kyle Hergel
Holker may not be the only undrafted free agent to make New Orleans’ roster. Hergel, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound lineman, has risen up the Saints’ roster this summer and was recently named a first-team left guard. Even when he’s not a starter, Hergel has played multiple positions on the interior — including center — and seems worth keeping. Right now, he’s technically on the ropes, with veterans Shane Lemieux and Ezirim also in the running for what could be the final offensive line spot.
2. The non-Zach Wood specialists
OK, technically that’s cheating since there are four players here. But seriously, the Saints are evenly matched as kickers and punters. Charlie Smyth and Blake Grupe have battled it out as kickers, while Lou Hedley and Matthew Hayball have competed as punters. Who will win? Let’s see how they fare at the Dome.
1. WR Mason Tipton
Before he injured his hamstring on Aug. 7, Tipton was the standout player of training camp. But his injury raises an intriguing question: How much time is too long for an undrafted free agent to miss? Fortunately for Tipton, he appears to be close to being fully fit as he returned to individual drills on Tuesday. If he can settle into teamwork, he’ll have a chance to play at least one preseason game before cuts hit. Good luck.
