Saints announce a flurry of roster moves before training camp, sign RB Malcolm Brown
When it rains, it pours. The New Orleans Saints filed a quick list of roster moves on Tuesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire — signing three new players and waiving three others to make room for them. Let’s dig into each transaction and what it means moving forwards:
RB Malcolm Brown signed to the 90-man roster
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Here’s an experienced addition at running back. Brown, 29, is entering his eighth season in the NFL having played a limited role with the Miami Dolphins in 2021 — a year prior, he posted career highs as a runner (419 rushing yards) and receiver (162 yards) with the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent the bulk of his pro career. He’ll bring some more competition to the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II. He’s been initially assigned No. 39, which is also being worn by rookie corner DaMarcus Fields, so expect a change there.
C Nick Martin signed to the 90-man roster
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Martin, 29, is the younger brother of standout Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin and a former second round draft pick by the Houston Texans — where he started all 65 games he appeared in, including three playoff games. He spent the 2021 season as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Martin is a better-experienced reserve than the Saints have had behind Erik McCoy before, so this is a good landing spot for him. He’s been assigned No. 66, which was first claimed by rookie guard Lewis Kidd, so one of them will be changing soon.
DE Scott Patchan signed to the 90-man roster
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Initially signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State, Patchan is a little undersized for the Saints’ prototype for the position at 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, but he compensates for it with impressive athletic ability (and a Relative Athletic Score of 9.13, which does line up with the results we’ve seen New Orleans value). He’ll be pushing Taco Charlton and Tanoh Kpassagnon for the final roster spot at defensive end behind Cameron Jordan, Payton Turner, Carl Granderson, and once he’s healthy, Marcus Davenport. Patchan is 25 years old and has been initially given No. 73, also worn by left tackle Ethan Greenidge, so that’ll change soon.
CB Jordan Miller waived from the 90-man roster
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Miller spent most of the 2021 season on the Saints practice squad, but now he’ll be looking for work elsewhere. He had been assigned the No. 36 jersey which will now be up for grabs.
OL Derek Schweiger waived from the 90-man roster
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Schweiger signed with the Saints as a rookie free agent out of Iowa State after the 2022 draft, and was competing with several other linemen for a reserve role. The No. 64 jersey is available upon his release.
P Daniel Whelan waived from the 90-man roster
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Another undrafted free agent signing (out of UC Davis), Whelan performed well over the summer but was a long shot to take the job from Blake Gillikin. With that job sewn up tidily, Whelan will be on the lookout for a new opportunity, which could come soon given the demand for talented young punters. The No. 19 jersey is up for the taking.
