The New Orleans Saints are heading into their final preseason game with an 0-2 record, and the last tune-up did not help matters much. A 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams left New Orleans looking for something cleaner before the regular season arrives, even if head coach Kellen Moore has already said very few starters will be on the field against the Dallas Cowboys.
That means the spotlight shifts to the reserves, but there are still a few battles worth watching Friday night.
One of the biggest is Saints secondary against Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III. Milton has been one of the preseason’s brightest performers, piling up 286 passing yards and 3 touchdowns through two games while missing just seven throws. He’s a tough assignment for a New Orleans defense that just gave up 254 passing yards.
Milton’s tools jump off the screen, and his raw talent has made him a name to watch around the league. He hasn’t yet put everything together as a full-time starter, but his upside is obvious enough that his name keeps coming up in trade conversations for teams hunting for a young quarterback.
The Saints’ defensive backfield has already shown two very different versions of itself this preseason. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it held up well despite the loss.
Against the Rams, it fell apart. With uncertainty still hanging over that unit, New Orleans could use a solid night to build some confidence in its depth.
Up front, the Saints’ pass rush also has something to prove. Dallas has protected its quarterbacks well, allowing only one sack in two preseason games, and Milton has not been sacked at all. That kind of clean pocket has helped fuel his strong start.
New Orleans had a much better showing in the opener, when it recorded four sacks, including two from Michael Heldman. But that pressure disappeared against the Rams, when the Saints failed to register a quarterback hit. If they want any shot at slowing Dallas, they’ll need to get back to that first-game form and make life uncomfortable for the Cowboys’ quarterbacks.
There’s also a chance for Kendre Miller to make his case in the backfield. The Saints lost Devin Neal and Ty Chandler to significant injuries against the Rams, a blow that added to the thin state of the running back room. New Orleans responded by trading for Zamir White, but Miller still looks like the back with the clearest path to handling work behind Alvin Kamara while he is out with an injury.
The matchup could open a door for him. Dallas has given up 242 rushing yards through two preseason games, though the Saints’ own ground game has been uneven.
Miller’s preseason debut against the Rams produced just 22 yards on six carries, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Penalties wiped out several plays, and he still flashed the ability to break something big.
Friday gives him another chance to show it. With the Saints searching for their first preseason win, Miller may have one of the more important opportunities on the field.
In Other News...
Saints Bubble Players Face One Last Shot To Make The 53
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Zamir White is another name worth watching after arriving in a trade and getting thrown into the mix with limited time to settle in. For players on the bubble, this final preseason stretch is about more than just making a few catches or a couple of clean runs. It is about showing the Saints they can handle the discipline side of the roster-building process and still do enough on the field to survive the final trim to 53. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Camp Answered One Big Question Before Detroit
Training camp and the preseason gave the Saints a clearer picture of where they stand as they head toward Detroit, and one of the biggest early questions seems to have been answered. The offense showed real progress in the red zone, which has been a point of emphasis, and the addition of kicker Daniel Carlson adds another layer of stability as New Orleans moves into the games that matter.
There are still parts of the roster that need work, but there were also encouraging signs beyond the obvious camp buzz. Kendre Miller has looked promising since coming back from injury, and the safety group has emerged as a strength on defense, giving the Saints a solid backbone on that side of the ball. The larger test now is whether those gains hold up once the regular season starts exposing the roster in a much harsher setting. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Draft Picture Is Already Being Shaped By One Clear Weak Spot
The Saints are already staring at the 2026 draft with a pretty clear order of operations, and it starts on the edge. Behind Chase Young, the depth chart looks thin enough that edge rusher has become the obvious spot to keep an eye on, especially as the roster picture keeps evolving around injuries and the current makeup of the defense. It is the kind of need that can shape the board early, because New Orleans cannot afford to ignore a premium position if the group behind its top pass rusher remains unsettled.
Running back and defensive tackle have also moved higher on the list because of injuries to key players, while guard could enter the conversation depending on how the roster is handled over the next stretch. None of those spots carries quite the same urgency as edge, but they all point to the same reality for the Saints: the draft needs are starting to sort themselves out well before the spring, and the next few roster moves could decide how much flexibility they have when they get there. [Read more 🡒]