The New Orleans Saints' offseason has officially hit the slow season. With the 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up and the biggest free-agent moves already in the rearview mirror, all eyes now turn to the practice field. Rookie minicamp is just around the corner, followed by organized team activities, and then the long wait for training camp this summer. But while we wait, it's time to start thinking about one of the most exciting questions of the year: Who makes the 53-man roster?
Right now, the roster is far from settled. Instead of asking who will make the cut, the better question might be: How many players are truly locks? Based on the current depth chart, it looks like about 37 players have a firm grip on their spots—20 on defense, 15 on offense, and two on special teams. That leaves plenty of room for competition, surprises, and tough decisions come September.
It's still early, of course. The Saints have a couple of open roster spots after recent releases and an International Pathway Program exemption for kicker Charlie Smyth. Expect some fresh faces after tryouts at next weekend's rookie minicamp. Still, let's take a position-by-position look at where the real battles will be.
Quarterback
Rattler fans might not love this, but don't count out Wilson just yet. Wilson has won a dozen games on teams worse than the one Rattler led to a 1-13 record over two seasons. Head coach Kellen Moore brought Wilson in for a reason. Chances are Rattler wins the QB2 battle, but this is very much an open competition.
Running Back
On the bubble: Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime
This position group is a mess, and there's no certainty beyond Etienne. Kamara, Neal, and Miller all ended the 2025 season banged up. Estime produced when he finally got on the field, but the Saints waited until everyone else was sidelined to give him a shot. Chandler signed for the minimum, and Donaldson is a rookie free agent. The vibes around Kamara's future are murky at best, making this one of the most intriguing battles to watch.
Whether you're rooting for a veteran comeback or a rookie breakout, the Saints' 2026 roster is shaping up to be a story of competition, resilience, and fresh starts. Stay tuned—this summer is going to be one for the books.