New Orleans Saints: Final 53-man roster prediction for 2021

Things have changed for the New Orleans Saints but just how different will their 53-man roster look for the 2021 season than it has in recent years?

After last season, Drew Brees has decided to call it a career and the New Orleans Saints were left looking for the next answer at quarterback. Jameis Winston won the offseason quarterback battle, though, and will look to lead the Saints through a tough NFC South divisional race.

Winston won’t be the only new face at a key position, however. Part of that is due to an injury to star wide receiver Michael Thomas that will keep him out to start the year, but another part is that the front office had to make some tough cuts.

So what will that final roster look like? We have a final prediction for the 2021 New Orleans Saints 53-man roster.

53-man roster prediction for the New Orleans Saints

Quarterbacks: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian

Jameis Winston showed in the preseason that he more than deserved to begin the season as the New Orleans Saints starting quarterback. Even though that will be the case, I expect Taysom Hill to mix in heavily through certain offensive packages. Whether it will be lining up as a tight end, running the ball out of the backfield, or even taking direct snaps at quarterback, he’ll have a role.

Running Backs: Alvin Kamara, Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington
Fullback: Alex Armah

Alvin Kamara will be the main offensive weapon for the New Orleans Saints to begin the season as the top three wideouts are all nicked up with injuries.

Wide Receivers: Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Ty Montgomery, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Deonte Harris

Wide receiver Michael Thomas’s start to the season will be delayed by ankle surgery. That will put the New Orleans Saints offense in a bind to begin the season. Marquez Callaway, however, emerged as a potential breakout star in the preseason.

Tight Ends: Adam Trautman, Nick Vannett, Juwan Johnson

The injury theme continues for the New Orleans Saints onto the tight end position. I would look for them to claim a tight end off of waivers and possibly utilize Taysom Hill in the role.

Offensive Line: Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Ceasar Ruiz, Ryan Ramcyzk, James Hurst, J.R. Sweezy, Will Clapp, Derrick Kelly II, Jordan Mills

New Orleans has quietly built one of the best offensive lines in the league and that trend shouldn’t be bucked if they can stay healthy in the 2021 season.

Defensive Line: Cameron Jordan, Albert Huggins, Shy Tuttle, Marcus Davenport, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Malcolm Roach, Carl Granderson, David Onyemata (suspended), Payton Turner

Cameron Jordan is one of my personal favorites in the NFL to watch play. He seems to enjoy mixing it up with an offensive lineman after every single down. He’s the anchor of a unit that will hope that Marcus Davenport finally makes a big jump.

Linebackers: Demario Davis, Kwon Alexander, Kaden Elliss, Zack Baun, Pete Werner

Davis and Alexander are veterans with a ton of experience that should be able to anchor this unit, though they would love for Baun to emerge and provide more adequate depth at linebacker.

Cornerbacks: Ken Crawley, Marshon Lattimore, Natrell Jamerson, Paulson Adebo, KeiVarae Russell

Outside of Lattimore, a bonafide stud at the position, the cornerback spot is going to be a question mark for the Saints as they try to rebuild and make something out of a relative hodgepodge-type group.

Safeties: Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Williams, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, P.J. Williams, Jeff Heath

The mix of veterans and fiery young players should continue to serve the Saints well on the back end of the defense.

Specialists: Aldrick Rosas (K), Will Lutz (K – Injured), Blake Gillikin (P), Zach Wood (LS)

Lutz’s injury is a tough break for the Saints but Rosas is, at the very least, an experienced kicker who can come in and help New Orleans not completely fall apart in that aspect of special teams.