8 Saints whose roster spots are in jeopardy in 2022
The New Orleans Saints have built a strong roster ahead of the 2022 season, but competition to make the team might end up leaving some familiar names on the outside looking in — with roster cuts on the still-distant horizon, even veteran players have some things to prove once the Saints gather for training camp. Everyone knows that the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and that these opportunities aren’t guaranteed. Here are eight players we’ll be watching closely over the summer:
TE Juwan Johnson
AP Photo/Brett Duke
Juwan Johnson seems to be on the edge of getting pushed off the roster with the new potential film time role of Taysom Hill and Adam Trautman/Nick Vannett both fulfilling more complete blocking assignments. A practice squad position is likely for him, as he still holds a ton of potential as a receiving tight end. He also seems to be a positive in the locker room. — Dylan Sanders
DT Malcolm Roach
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Roach has a ton of new competition in the defensive line rotation. He already had a reduced role last season than his rookie year. The Saints drafted Jordan Jackson and signed two more other defensive lineman. If they need new blood in the room, Roach could find himself on the practice squad. — Dylan Sanders
RB Tony Jones Jr.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Jones Jr. initially looked like a younger Mark Ingram, but lacks the durability to be a legitimate asset even as depth. He appeared in just 10 games last year and only had 10+ rush attempts twice. That averages out to 5.4 rush attempts per game, and if you remove the two game outliers (which they’d be considered as such in a scientific world), that number drops to 3.4. Just not enough production, no touchdowns, and never established a presence last season. With the signing of Devine Ozigbo, and the familiarity with Dwayne Washington in the room, he looks to be the odd man out. And if Kamara is suspended, Jones Jr. unfortunately won’t solve much there. — Maddy Hudak
S Daniel Sorensen
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It was an odd signing at the time, but he offered upside on special teams. The Saints often use rookie prospects on special teams and work them into the game plan as they gain familiarity – it’s how they used Pete Werner last season. Having drafted Alontae Taylor who is known to be a good gunner, and D’Marco Jackson offers upside there as well, as does Andrew Dowell who already is on the team and makes a great case for sticking as a result. Now that the safety room is filled out with Tyrann Mathieu, it’d be a bad situation depth-wise to see Sorenson have to slide in at that role. Seeing as they have younger players that can fill out the special teams room, Sorenson doesn’t seem like a long-term signing. — Maddy Hudak
WR Kevin White
AP Photo/John Amis
After drafting a dynamic receiver in Chris Olave, signing veteran Jarvis Landry, and with he expectation that Michael Thomas will return, there just doesn’t seem to be much room left on the roster for Kevin White. Last year’s starting wideouts Deonte Harty, Marquez Callaway, and Tre’Quan Smith are set to be pushed down the depth chart into slots 4-6. While White could conceivably challenge for a role, new faces like UDFA Dai’Jean Dixon may present a road block if they have a standout camp. White’s single catch in 2021 was a beauty off of a deep ball, but one catch off of five targets isn’t enough to establish much confidence. — Ross Jackson
DB Bryce Thompson
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The New Orleans Saints secondary went from losing safeties Marcus Williams and Malcolm Jenkins to adding replacements in Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu. Not only that, they team also brought back versatile defensive back P.J. Williams, veteran and core special teamer Daniel Sorensen and added additional pieces like rookie Alontae Taylor. Meanwhile, All-Pro JT Gray is firmly entrenched in his high-impact role. Depending upon the numbers the Saints keep across the secondary, the second-year UDFA may be on his way out. However, he has a good chance at continuing with the team if he can show he has greater special teams value than free agency addition Sorensen. With the Saints’ focus on special teams this offseason, there should be many elements of these battles to watch throughout camp. — Ross Jackson
CB Bradley Roby
AP Photo/Derick Hingle
The Saints won’t be able to keep all of their defensive backs, and a player on the older side whose release could free up some small salary cap space might get moved out — think about the Latavius Murray situation last year. Roby did sign an extension with the Saints earlier this offseason, but after drafting Alontae Taylor in the second round they may not have room for Roby along with Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Taylor, P.J. Williams, and any undrafted rookies who stand out over the summer. Roby has his work cut out for him in holding onto a roster spot. — John Sigler
WR Tre'Quan Smith
AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
Smith did return to New Orleans on a two-year deal earlier this offseason, but there is very little guaranteed money in that contract and it won’t preclude the Saints from letting him go if other players make a stronger impression during training camp. After adding Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry next to Michael Thomas on top of the depth chart, Smith is in danger of getting muscled out of the rotation behind them by Deonte Harty, Marquez Callaway, and maybe some undrafted standouts like Dai’Jean Dixon and Rashid Shaheed. He’s got to step up. — John Sigler
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