The Saints already made one move out of the bye week, and it may not be the last. New Orleans parted ways with run game coordinator T.J.
Paganetti, a decision that fit the state of the run game even if the timing still caught some people off guard. The bigger surprise was that the Saints actually pulled the trigger at all.
That move suggests head coach Kellen Moore and the staff are finally willing to shake things up. Moore knows the pressure is on him, and with Paganetti gone, that pressure now stretches a little wider across the coaching staff. The next question is whether the changes stop there or spill over onto the field, where a few players could be in line for a different role against the Cleveland Browns.
The most obvious adjustment is up front with Christen Miller. The second-round pick has not been on the field nearly enough, and that has become harder to justify as the season has gone on.
It made sense to ease him back in while he was recovering from injury, but that excuse has worn thin after more than a month. Miller was brought in to help a run defense that has struggled badly, and the Saints need to find out whether he can handle a bigger workload.
He has shown some encouraging moments when he has played, even if the pass rush still needs work.
Another possible shift comes at tight end with Delp. He has been TE3 behind Noah Fant and has mostly been used as a blocker, which helps in its own way.
But Delp’s real value is supposed to come from his athleticism and ability as a pass catcher. Jordyn Tyson’s return should give the passing game a boost, but Delp could become one of the better weapons on the roster if the Saints lean into what he does best.
There is also a defensive move that hinges on what happens before the trade deadline. If Justin Reid is moved, as expected, Jonas Sanker should slide back to safety. He has handled the slot role well enough while learning a new position, but that move would give the Saints a cleaner fit if Reid is no longer on the roster.
In Other News...
Saints Give Audric Estim Another Shot With Depth Suddenly In Play
With the backfield picture changing, the Saints are taking another look at a familiar name in Audric Estim. New Orleans brought the running back back into the fold after claiming him off waivers from Cleveland, a move that gives the team another body in a position group where depth can shift quickly and where every practice rep matters.
Estim already had a brief run with the Saints this season, and the staff now gets a fresh chance to decide where he fits. His role from here will be shaped by what he shows in practice and, if he gets the opportunity, in games, as New Orleans sorts through its options and tries to settle on the right mix in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Face A Very Different Browns Offense In Week 9
The Browns are suddenly looking at a very different quarterback setup for Week 9, and the Saints have to prepare accordingly. Deshaun Watson was added late to the concussion protocol and did not practice Thursday, which has put his status for the game in serious doubt as New Orleans gets ready for a matchup that had been expected to feature Clevelands usual starter.
Shedeur Sanders is now lined up to take the first snaps for the Browns, with Dillon Gabriel behind him and Taylen Green as the emergency third quarterback. Cleveland has not officially ruled Watson out yet, but the recent practice reports point in one direction, leaving the Saints to adjust for a game plan that could look a lot different than the one they were initially preparing for. [Read more 🡒]
Cesar Ruiz Is Turning Personal Tragedy Into A Message Saints Fans Will Feel
Cesar Ruiz entered this season with a deeply personal reason to think about family and the road ahead. The Saints offensive lineman became a father earlier this year when his son Caiden was born during training camp, adding a new layer to a life already shaped by loss and responsibility.
Ruiz has also opened up about losing his own father in a fatal accident as a child, and he is now using that experience to speak about road safety in a broader way. His work with AAAs Slow Down, Move Over campaign puts him in a position to remind drivers about the stakes of paying attention and giving roadside workers the space they need. [Read more 🡒]