The New Orleans Saints have begun the difficult process of trimming their depth chart down from 89 players to just 53 ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s NFL roster cuts deadline, and we’ll be keeping up with every transaction until the team is at capacity. We’ve got a reference here for what all the different terms and rules mean this time of the year.
Here’s our instant analysis on every Saints roster cut:
LB Nick Anderson waived
The rookie linebacker out of Tulane primarily played on special teams and looked like an afterthought in the competition for roster spots on defense; he played just 27 total snaps through two preseason games. Read more here.
FB Jake Bargas waived
DT Prince Emili waived
There were few roster spots to go around at defensive tackle, and the Saints locked in three of them by signing Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders before picking Bryan Bresee in the first round. Emili spent much of the of the 2022 season on the practice squad and could return. Read more here.
WR Kawaan Baker waived
A seventh-round pick out of South Alabama back in 2021, Baker has had brief stops with other teams but always seems to find his way back to the Saints practice squad. He’s developed into a solid player in special teams coverage and could return in that capacity should he clear waivers. Read more here.
CB Adrian Frye waived
It was going to be tough for any rookie cornerback to make the cut given the number of veterans at the top of the depth chart. Frye played a lot of special teams snaps for the Saints but had too many lapses in coverage. He’s a good choice for the practice squad should he clear waivers. Read more here.
CB Troy Pride Jr. waived
Another victim of the numbers game at cornerback, Pride enjoyed a strong training camp but committed too many mistakes in the preseason games to make the cut: he was fouled twice for coverage penalties, missed a big tackle in the open field, and gave up a touchdown pass. He’s been released and could look to sign somewhere he’ll have a shorter path to playing on Sundays. Read more here.
CB Bradley Roby released
This was surprising — Roby seemed to be the team’s best option in the slot and they treated him like it by asking him to play just 22 snaps in preseason. But the opportunity to save some salary cap space and get Alontate Taylor into the starting lineup in his place was too tempting to pass up. Read more here.
K Wil Lutz traded to Broncos
This isn’t a roster cut, but it still counts. And it’s surprising. The Saints brought in rookie kicker Blake Grupe to push Lutz for the starting job, and he kept it close enough throughout the summer, training camp, and preseason to make it worth their while to listen when Sean Payton came calling. Read more here.
OL Lewis Kidd waived
Kidd moved back to his college position at left tackle this summer, but he struggled against NFL edge rushers in the preseason. He might be better suited at guard, which is how he made the team last year. He’s a good pick to sign with the practice squad should he clear waivers. Read more here.
TE Jesse James released
A training camp groin injury kept James out of the preseason games and out of action at practice for much of the summer, which is a shame. He could return to the practice squad as veteran depth but it’s more likely he’ll move on to pursue other opportunities. Read more here.
S Smoke Monday waived
Monday didn’t really stand out one way or another in the secondary throughout the preseason, though it ended badly for him in getting run over on a Houston Texans touchdown run last Sunday night. He could return tot he practice squad. Read more here.
RT Storm Norton waived
Norton played better than most of the second-string offensive line, but that isn’t saying a whole lot. Still he’s worth stashing on the practice squad as an insurance policy should Ryan Ramczyk’s durability issues continue to be a concern. We’ll see if he’s up for it. Read more here.
OL Chuck Filiaga waived
Filiaga tried out at right tackle for the Saints after they claimed him off waivers from the Green Bay Packers earlier this summer; before that, he played next to Cesar Ruiz on Michigan’s offensive line and transferred to Minnesota to finish his college career. He could return to the practice squad. Read more here.
LB Jaylon Smith released
This was surprising, but it feels only temporary. Smith’s release could be a procedural move to get another player on injured reserve before bringing him back. Because he’s a veteran, he doesn’t have to clear waivers. He was their third-best linebacker this summer and he can be freely re-signed in a few days. Read more here.
C Alex Pihlstrom waived
Initially signed as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois, Pihlstrom had some rough moments in preseason included a botched snap on a two-point conversion in the first exhibition game. He could develop into a solid role player with more reps on the practice squad. Read more here.
LB Ty Summers released
Summers played a lot of snaps on special teams to try and help his case, but he wasn’t able to climb the depth chart. He could return to the practice squad as one of the six veteran players allowed per NFL roster rules. Read more here.
OL Calvin Throckmorton waived
Improved depth along the New Orleans Saints offensive line has made some players expendable, including third-year backup Calvin Throckmorton. There aren’t many blockers as young as him with so many reps in NFL games, so he could get claimed off waivers. Read more here.
S Johnathan Abram released
Improved depth along the New Orleans Saints offensive line has made some players expendable, including third-year backup Calvin Throckmorton. There aren’t many blockers as young as him with so many reps in NFL games, so he could get claimed off waivers. Read more here.
DE Niko Lalos waived
Lalos made some big plays in the preseason, including a heroic three-sack fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he’s clearly benefited from a year of work in the XFL. He should be a great pick to return to the Saints practice squad assuming he isn’t claimed on waivers. Read more here.
RB Ellis Merriweather waived
Merriweather ran hard in preseason and should be a safe pick to return to the Saints practice squad, where he could be activated for each of the games the team will play without Alvin Kamara to start the season. Read more here.
OL Mark Evans II waived
Evans made the tough leap from a lower level of competition at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (the same alma mater as Terron Armstead) to the NFL, converting from left tackle to try out at both guard spots along the way. He should return to the practice squad and continue to develop his craft. Read more here.
DT Jerron Cage waived
Cage is a good choice to re-sign with the Saints practice squad if he clears waivers. He had some nice moments over the summer but the team is too deep at the top of the depth chart to keep him on the 53-man roster. Read more here.
DT Jack Heflin waived
Heflin led the team in pressures this preseason, and it would be nice to bring him back on the practice squad for more development. He’s another player who learned a lot from his time in the XLF. As was the case with Jerron Cage, though, the Saints are too deep at the top of the roster. Read more here.
WR Shaquan Davis waived
Davis won over a lot of fans with his acrobatic catches in the preseason games, but the numbers were against him at wide receiver. he should return to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Read more here.
LB Anfernee Orji waived
Orji led the team in special teams snaps this preseason, and he should be another rookie in line for a spot on the practice squad — if he clears waivers. He’s a great athlete who got caught in a logjam at linebacker this summer. Read more here.
CB Anthony Johnson waived
Johnson signed with the Saints as an undrafted rookie out of Virginia, and he played well throughout the summer. He should return to the practice squad. Numbers just weren’t on his side when it came down to roster cuts. Read more here.
TE Lucas Krull waived
Krull passed waivers last year, but that was before he impressed by catching a lot of passes as Jake Haener’s favorite target in preseason. Maybe the Saints aren’t so lucky this time. Read more here.
TE J.P. Holtz released
Holtz has spent time on the Saints practice squad before and he could return for another stint in New Orleans. He’s valuable as a backup blocking tight end and fullback with a willingness to play special teams. Read more here.
WR Lynn Bowden Jr. waived
Bowden looked like the Saints’ best option in the return game this summer, but an untimely injury slowed him down late in the preseason. He could return to the practice squad and be activated on game days. Read more here.
RB Darrel Williams released
Williams was brought on to help bridge the gap until Alvin Kamara returns from suspension but he didn’t make many plays before going down with a groin injury. Read more here.
