Danny Stutsman may not be listed ahead of Kaden Elliss or Pete Werner on the New Orleans Saints’ depth chart, but the way the team handled him this preseason says plenty. The Saints gave him starter treatment, sitting him in the first two preseason games because his role was already defined. That setup could be the runway for a breakout second season.
Stutsman was part of the Saints’ strong 2025 draft class, even if his name has been easier to overlook lately. Kelvin Banks Jr., Tyler Shough and Jonas Sanker have drawn the loudest attention for their rookie-year impact, but Stutsman came into the class with plenty of buzz of his own when the draft ended.
His start was slower than some of his draftmates, yet the flashes were there when he did get on the field. He moved fast, played downhill and held up well against the run.
The biggest question now is when, not if, his role grows. Some fans are already wondering whether Stutsman could push Pete Werner out of the starting lineup as soon as this week, though that still might be a year away. Even so, his second season should bring him much closer to a full-time job.
By the end of his rookie year, Stutsman had settled into a rotational role and would occasionally spell Werner. There’s no sign that his usage will stay that narrow in 2026. At minimum, the Saints should be leaning on that rotation even more often.
What stands out most is how well he tackles. For a linebacker, that’s the foundation, and it also separates him from Werner. Stutsman missed only 5 tackles last season, while Werner missed 15, and Werner’s missed tackle rate was 3% higher.
The style is different too. Stutsman brings more violence to the hit, and it shows on tape. That’s the kind of detail that matters.
A starting job still looks like it’s at least a year away, though the Saints could make the switch during the season. Until then, Stutsman will need to make the most of his expanding role. He has already filled in for both Werner and Elliss in certain stretches of practice.
The Saints have described that usage more as a package than a straight rotation, so the real shape of it will only become clear once the games count. One possibility is a heavier dose of Stutsman and Werner at linebacker, with Elliss sliding to edge rusher. That would line up with Elliss’ sack incentives and could show up often in obvious passing situations and two-minute defense.
More snaps in those key moments should give Stutsman plenty of chances to stand out. From there, the task is simple: be too good to leave off the field. He looks like the future alongside Elliss, and the Saints are setting him up to take hold of it.
In Other News...
Saints Cornerback Shakeup Just Took Another Veteran Off The Board
Isaac Yiadoms second run with the Saints ended in the final roster cuts, and the veteran cornerback has already landed a new opportunity with the Washington Commanders practice squad. Yiadom had been back in New Orleans after previously spending time with the club, and he managed to appear in 14 games last season before the Saints moved in a younger direction at the position.
For a defense that has spent the offseason reshaping its cornerback room, Yiadoms departure fits the broader trend of leaning into youth and competition. The Saints are clearly moving forward with a different mix on the back end, and his quick next stop only underscores how many teams still view experienced defensive backs as useful depth even if they are no longer part of the immediate plan in New Orleans. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Have A Quiet Post-Cut Battle Fans Should Watch
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A handful of players stand out as possible priorities if they make it through waivers, including Zamir White, Charlie Smyth and Hunter Dekkers. The group is a mix of useful depth pieces and developmental bets, the kind of names that can disappear in the cutdown rush but still matter once injuries, special teams needs and long-season attrition start to hit. For the Saints, the next move is less about headlines than about making sure the right pieces are still available when the practice squad comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Just Added Two New Line Options Before Week 1
The Saints added a little late-August insurance after the NFL roster cuts deadline, claiming offensive tackle Mason Murphy from the Bears and defensive lineman Colby Wooden from the Colts. It gives New Orleans another chance to reshape both the offensive line and the interior front as the team turns its attention toward Week 1, and it also brings in two players who already have some NFL experience and a shared college background at Auburn.
Murphy and Wooden are expected to factor into a roster picture that is still being sorted out, because the Saints now have to clear two spots to make the claims official. Whether that comes through additional cuts or by moving players to injured reserve, the move signals that New Orleans is still looking for answers in the trenches before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]