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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
As the clear-cut starter, Derek Carr had little to gain from preseason action, and his solid and uneventful preseason reflects that. The real quarterback drama in Saints camp was the battle for the backup role between recent draft picks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Both entered camp on equal footing, trading up-and-down performances in practices and games, making it tough to handicap the race. However, Rattler might have the edge if recency matters to coach Dennis Allen. He looked noticeably better in the preseason finale, leading three touchdown drives after Haener struggled to move the offense. It’s also less likely that Rattler could be stashed on the practice squad, which could give him an advantage in securing the backup role.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Alvin Kamara didn’t suit up for the preseason finale, but his absence was likely planned, and more importantly, he returned to practice after missing a few sessions with back tightness. There’s no reason to doubt Kamara’s readiness for Week 1, with Jamaal Williams expected to play a complementary role. Beyond them, Kendre Miller has yet to see significant action due to a hamstring issue. Miller has fallen behind the other backs, potentially ranking behind Jordan Mims and James Robinson. Coach Allen was blunt in his assessment, questioning Miller’s ability to learn the system due to his absence. Miller might start the year on IR, opening a small yet crucial role for Mims or Robinson—though likely not both. Mims seems the best bet as a bruising, complementary back, whereas Robinson has struggled to find a stable spot since his 2021 Achilles tear.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Chris Olave is locked in as the team’s top wideout after commanding 24% of the team’s targets last season, and he looks focused and prepared to take on even more volume in Klint Kubiak’s offense. However, the loss of Michael Thomas leaves a significant gap on the other side, and the team may regret not adding a veteran presence there. Rashid Shaheed is secure in the No. 2 role, but after serving as a part-time contributor, is he up to the task? A.T. Perry flashed as a rookie in 2023 but has struggled to take the next step, drawing criticism from Dennis Allen for his lack of impact in camp. Perry’s failure to start the preseason finale was somewhat shocking, suggesting he may have slipped down the depth chart. While he’s likely secured the No. 5 receiver spot, expectations for a more significant role may have been premature. Perry could even be leapfrogged by Stanley Morgan Jr., who contributes on special teams, or Equanimeous St. Brown, who caught a touchdown against Tennessee.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Against the odds, Juwan Johnson returned to practice this week after undergoing foot surgery in June and drew a target in the preseason finale. Johnson got his feet wet against the Titans but proved he’s fully healthy as he ramps up for regular-season action. Backup Foster Moreau is strong and well-rounded, but Johnson remains the top receiving threat. Coach Allen emphasized Johnson’s importance to the passing game, noting the need to establish timing and rhythm with him and others. Moreau will slide back into his No. 2 role, while Taysom Hill remains a versatile utility player who occasionally takes snaps at tight end.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Blake Grupe made both of his field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder, and all three extra point attempts to make a big final statement in the kicker battle after Irish sensation Charlie Smyth displayed what might be the strongest leg in the league during practice. Smyth missed the game with groin tightness and doesn’t count against the team’s 53-man roster as an International Pathway Program player, so Grupe is the likely winner here.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The defense relies heavily on its cornerbacks, asking them to hold firm against receivers while staying ready to break on the ball. While Marshon Lattimore is the star, the team has seen some key contributors depart since 2023. However, the emergence of Rico Payton, Rejzohn Wright, and Shemar Jean-Charles has been a pleasant surprise, adding depth to what was already one of the league’s deepest cornerback units. These young corners have flashed NFL-level ball skills throughout the preseason, breaking up numerous passes with the first team, further strengthening the secondary.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Rashid Shaheed has been one of the league’s most prolific returners since he joined the Saints in 2022, but Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill are possibly a better fit for the new style of kickoff return. Special teams coach Darren Rizzi has indicated they’ll get opportunities, saying, “We might not use [Kamara] 100 percent, but he’s probably going to be back there at some point.” He also called Hill “the backup to everything here.”
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Derek Carr and the passing game have drawn positive press for most of camp. That’s nothing new for the steady Carr, who also received praise in last year’s camp, his first with the team. This year, though, Carr speaks highly of the continuity he’s enjoying under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. “I’ve learned about eight or nine different offenses,” Carr said this camp about his NFL experience. Now, though, he’s confident in what carries over from last year – as well as the new wrinkles. “There are some reads I’m very familiar with, and I can do those in my sleep. And there are some new ones that I’m still growing comfortable with.” Behind Carr, the battle between Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener continues. Rattler is the superior arm talent, but both have looked unspectacular at best. Both cost the team mid-round picks, but Haener may be the easier name to slip onto the practice squad.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
The Saints have no reason to push Alvin Kamara physically in his eighth preseason. He’s played sparingly over the first two games, serving to prove (a) he’s healthy and (b) his current contract situation does not deter him. Kamara is not seeking a raise but rather a reworked 2025 deal that gives him more roster security next year. There are real questions about Kamara’s age and workload – as well as a recent nagging back injury – but not his availability. And WhoDatDish’s Ryan Heckman is concerned over the depth behind Kamara, which looks bare now. “[Jamaal] Williams the player is, as they say, done,” Heckman opined last week, noting that Kendre Miller (hamstring) remains out and that James Robinson and Jordan Mims look uninspiring. “In short, the Saints are, indeed, a dumpster fire when it comes to their backfield. The team needs help, and badly.”
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
In Sunday's preseason game, Chris Olave played a bit, catching three short balls and reinforcing his role as the engine of this air attack. The big, flawed crowd of bodies jockeying for the No. 2 spot doesn’t look ready to eat into Olave’s hefty workload. His 24% target share from 2023 looks like a baseline going forward. Slot specialist Rashid Shaheed didn’t suit up for the second preseason game; he’s nursing a toe/foot injury that doesn’t seem serious. Shaheed broke out last year (719 yards, five touchdowns) and is locked into the same role again. Beyond those two, the depth chart grows murky, and it’s hard to find much upside in the mix. There were relatively high hopes for the big-bodied A.T. Perry, who caught four touchdowns as a 2023 rookie. But Perry has drawn unimpressive reactions in camp, and the fact that he played more snaps than any other wideout Sunday night bodes poorly for him. His ho-hum performance (24 yards on six targets) didn’t help. SaintsWire’s Darrion Gray thinks Perry’s Game 1 showing (85 yards), plus a solid final week of camp practice, has likely saved his role. Perhaps Samson Nacua, brother of the Rams’ Puka, can stick as a backup to Shaheed in the slot. Nacua went undrafted and didn’t survive final cuts for the Colts last year, but he brings special-teams experience and value. Veterans Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Equanimeous St. Brown, who played sparingly against the 49ers, are likely fighting for a single roster slot.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Saints haven’t produced a fantasy-relevant tight end since Jared Cook in 2019, and that’s unlikely to change this year. Derek Carr likes to throw underneath, but the team mainly uses blocking specialists who don’t threaten the seams. That’s especially true with starter Juwan Johnson still on the PUP list; the team is optimistic he’ll start Week 1, but recovery from foot surgery is hard to pin down. In his place, Foster Moreau should dominate all the snaps that jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill doesn’t siphon away. Moreau is entirely on board with new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme, and his chemistry with Carr dates back to their Raiders days.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Blake Grupe made a 52-yard field goal and an extra point in the preseason loss to the 49ers, which could be important in his attempt to hold off International Pathway Program kicker Charlie Smyth from Ireland. Grupe had a 6-for-10 day in camp earlier in the week, but three of the misses were from 57 yards or longer. Grupe is probably in the lead, but Smyth could be a target for teams that aren’t happy with their kicker options.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Coach Dennis Allen’s background is in the secondary, and the Saints have few concerns there. But in today’s NFL, it all starts up front, and Allen knows the defensive line must return to its pre-2023 form for the whole unit to succeed. Last year, the team tumbled from near the league's top in pass-rush metrics to near the bottom. “We’ve got a big, physical group up front,” Allen said last week. “…The defense starts with the front and their ability to control the line of scrimmage. I see some good things out of that group.” Against the 49ers, onlookers got another live-action glimpse of Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Bryan Bresee crashing the pocket together, and the results have been encouraging.
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
The known quantities of this group are inside, where center Erik McCoy continues his Pro Bowl form, and right guard Cesar Ruiz does a decent job. New additions include left tackle Taliese Fuaga (Round 1 – Oregon State), who is dealing with back tightness this preseason, and left guard Lucas Patrick, who is battling Shane Lemieux and Nick Saldiveri for the starting spot. The genuine concern is at right tackle, where Trevor Penning has struggled moving over from the left side. Oli Udoh and Landon Young are the other options at tackle. This rebuilding group drops to 25th in the preseason rankings.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Derek Carr and the starting offense played just two series in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Cardinals. Carr is firmly entrenched as the leader of the offense. The only drama this summer is whether Spencer Rattler can secure the backup job. He’s competing with Jake Haener, who stepped in immediately after Carr on Saturday night. Haener completed 9-of-13 passes for 107 yards before ceding the field to Rattler. The rookie received positive reviews after completing 9-of-17 passes for 70 yards with a rushing touchdown.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
There’s little drama in the running back room. Veteran Alvin Kamara is healthy and ran twice against the Cardinals before taking a seat; that’s likely the first and last time we see him in the preseason. Kamara has totaled just seven preseason touches since 2021. Behind him, Jamaal Williams appears to have held off Kendre Miller for the No. 2 role. Williams is a known commodity, while Miller missed a chunk of camp and dealt with public criticism from head coach Dennis Allen. James Robinson’s career has unfortunately stalled since his 2021 Achilles’ tear, and his prospects in New Orleans don’t look great. Robinson and Jordan Mims were given the second-half workload against the Cardinals, with Robinson fumbling, which won’t help his chances. Mims, on the other hand, has drawn some camp buzz in Miller’s place and seems closer to securing a roster spot.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The team has not been linked to notable free agent wideouts, ensuring that No. 1 Chris Olave is locked into a massive target share, approaching last year’s 24% rate. Starting slot receiver Rashid Shaheed didn’t suit up against Arizona due to a nagging hamstring injury. A.T. Perry, who caught four touchdowns as a 2023 rookie, remains listed as a starter on the team’s depth chart but has been practicing primarily with the second and third teams, which is concerning. Coach Allen noted that Perry “still has a long way to go” and hasn’t made a significant impact. Perry’s starting job—and perhaps even his roster spot—could be in jeopardy. Journeymen like Cedrick Wilson, Marquez Callaway, or Equanimeous St. Brown might steal the No. 3 job and some regular season snaps in the X role.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Saints have one of the NFL’s deepest tight end rooms, with several players who could start on other teams. This depth allows them to weather the indefinite loss of starter Juwan Johnson, whose Week 1 status remains uncertain. Taysom Hill, known for his red-zone prowess, is a trendy fantasy pick, but Foster Moreau might be the better all-around option. Moreau, who could be one of the league’s top 15 or 20 tight ends, should lead the way if Johnson misses time. He seems well-prepared for an offense that heavily involves its tight ends, as he mentioned last month about the new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
The Saints' kickers were perfect in the preseason opener. Incumbent Blake Grupe went 2 of 2 on field goals, with a long of 33 yards, and made his extra point. International Pathway Program kicker Charlie Smyth made his lone field goal attempt from 37 yards, which was the game-winner. Last year, Grupe kicked a game-winner in the first preseason game, ultimately taking the job from Wil Lutz. We’ll see if history repeats itself.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The preseason opener allowed the Saints to showcase their playmaking core, and the results were impressive. The starters played much of the first half, holding the Cardinals' offense without a first down until the mid-second quarter. One of the most intriguing new additions is linebacker Willie Gay Jr, the ex-Chief who signed a one-year deal in March. Gay has reportedly led the competition with Pete Werner and drew praise for being “enormously impressive” and “flying all over the field” in the opener.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Rashid Shaheed has been one of the league’s most prolific returners since joining the Saints in 2022. However, Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill may be a better fit for the new kickoff return style. Special teams coach Darren Rizzi has indicated they’ll get opportunities, saying, “We might not use (Kamara) 100 percent, but he’s probably going to be back there at some point,” and calling Hill “the backup to everything here.”
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
There are indeed long-term (and short-term) questions surrounding Derek Carr as the Saints’ franchise passer. He’s enjoying a typically solid camp, orchestrating a calm, relaxed offense that doesn’t ask too much of him. One interesting wrinkle of camp has been the impressive play of rookie Spencer Rattler, a fifth-rounder vying for the backup spot behind the durable Carr. Rattler was a five-star recruit but underwhelmed as the starter at Oklahoma and South Carolina. With veteran Nathan Peterman released last week, Rattler is fully in play for the No. 2 job, a similar SEC-to-direct-backup path to the one traveled by Stetson Bennett just last year. “Rattler’s arm talent is off the charts,” top wideout Chris Olave commented last week.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Alvin Kamara continues to seek a reworked contract, but he’s fully participating at camp. He carries a $25 million cap cost in 2025, which is untenable, particularly at his Age-30 season. He’d surely like a short-term deal with guaranteed money in 2024, but it doesn’t look like a distraction for either side. Kamara “has shown explosion and elusiveness,” per SI.com’s Ross Jackson, who’s grown so accustomed to great Kamara play that he admits the star runner “can be easy to miss” at camp. The only real drama exists behind Kamara, where Kendre Miller looks to supplant veteran Jamaal Williams at their second camp together. Most likely, while Kamara is healthy and happy, the pair will split situational snaps behind the workhorse. Williams is a plodding short-yardage specialist, while Miller offers more quickness and versatility. Of course, Miller will need to stay healthy to factor in. He left the first camp practice with a hamstring injury, drawing blunt words from coach Dennis Allen. “[Kendre] needs to figure out how to stay healthy,” Allen told media that day. “Because you can’t make the team when you’re always in the training room.”
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
At this early point in camp, the receiver room looks relatively set, at least in terms of the names involved. Back from a short-term hip injury, Chris Olave remains the clear alpha and should lead the team in target share. Many held their breath when Olave fell awkwardly last Tuesday, but he returned to his routine of shaking and scrapping with his defenders the next day. He commanded nearly 45% of the group’s targets in 2023, and little has changed personnel-wise. Rashid Shaheed is locked into the slot job, while A.T. Perry is the most intriguing option to start opposite Olave. Perry, a long-limbed target at 6-foot-4, has underwhelmed thus far and continues to run with the third team. Still, Perry’s competitors are mostly well-traveled journeymen and annual camp-body types. Neither Cedrick Wilson nor Equanimeous St. Brown has caught more than 22 passes since 2021. Perry, for his part, at least drew a 53% snap count (and caught four touchdowns) for the Saints down the 2023 stretch. The team would love for Perry to seize the X-receiver role and draw coverage away from Olave. But it’s important to keep expectations in check. Even if Perry strings together a great camp and claims the job, he’ll spend most of the time as a downfield decoy.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Saints are missing starter Juwan Johnson, and there’s no real timetable for his return from the PUP list, but the Saints’ depth at the position insulates them more than most teams. This is a deep, versatile group packed with proven options. Foster Moreau is a strong two-way tight end who could start for many teams. He’s sure-handed and can get downfield, and he goes five years back with Carr to their Raiders days. Gadget man Taysom Hill will see his share of in-line usage, and he remains a big part of the team’s red-zone plans. New coordinator Klint Kubiak could emphasize the tight ends more based on his prior experience working within the Shanahan system.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Blake Grupe winning the 2023 kicker job for the Saints was a bit of a surprise, and his performance last season didn’t make the team look smart for making the move, with Grupe going 30-of-37 on field goal attempts, including two misses from under 29 yards. They brought in Charlie Smyth from Northern Ireland, who has a considerable leg strength advantage over Grupe but no actual experience in American football. He is an International Player Pathway signing, so the Saints can keep him without using up a roster spot. Grupe got more attempts through the first week of camp but had a miss from 39 yards and two from 59, while Smyth was good from 62 yards out.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Coach Dennis Allen has molded the defense in his own image: deep in the secondary and packed with playmakers. But up front, it’s suffered for several years from injuries and an overall lack of depth. It’s a top-heavy unit: as Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Willie Gay go, so goes the entire front seven. And it didn’t help to see Davis, the group's backbone, leave last Wednesday’s practice session with a hamstring injury. Davis is an all-time Saints great, but soft-tissue injuries are more worrisome for players in their 30s.
