The Saints head to California for a second preseason game against the Rams, and even with New Orleans coming off two joint practices and unlikely to play starters, there’s still plenty worth watching.
A big part of that is the ground game. With Alvin Kamara sidelined by injury, the Saints are trying to sort out who might step into the RB2 mix, and Saturday gives Kendre Miller and Devin Neal another chance to make a case.
Both backs arrive with upside, and both missed significant time last season because of injuries. They’ll have to prove it against a Rams front that has real talent and has already shown it can cause problems.
Los Angeles held the Chiefs to 125 rushing yards on 4.5 yards per carry in its preseason opener, while New Orleans managed only 56 yards on 13 attempts in its own first game. If the Saints are going to pull this one out, it probably starts with one of those young runners breaking through.
The receiver battle is just as interesting, especially with Jordyn Tyson out for at least the first month of the regular season. That makes the WR3 race even more important, and New Orleans has a handful of players pushing to separate themselves.
Bub Means and Barion Brown both flashed against the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Bryce Lance has kept making plays through training camp and the joint practices. On the other side, the Rams may not have Trent McDuffie available, but Jaylen Watson and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. give them a cornerback group that can make life difficult.
Forbes, in particular, has started to revive his career a bit in Los Angeles, so this is a good test for the Saints’ young wideouts.
Up front, Michael Heldman and Garrett Nelson are coming off strong first impressions and get another shot to build on them. Heldman was everywhere against Jacksonville, finishing with 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss, while Nelson added a sack and a tackle for loss of his own.
Together, they looked like a disruptive preseason pass-rush duo, and both are trying to keep that momentum going as they chase the final 53-man roster. The Rams, though, kept their quarterback clean last time out, and Ty Simpson helped by getting the ball out quickly and decisively.
That sets up a different kind of challenge for Heldman and Nelson, who will need another productive day if they want to keep their push alive.
In Other News...
Saints Got An Early Warning Against A Serious NFC Contender
The joint practice in Los Angeles offered the Saints an early look at just how sharp the Rams can be when their offense is clicking. Matthew Stafford looked comfortable and efficient, with Davante Adams emerging as a clear problem for New Orleans to sort through, while tight end Terrance Ferguson and receivers Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington also found ways to make plays. Puka Nacua was out, but the rest of the Rams' passing group still gave the Saints plenty to process.
There was some unevenness behind Stafford, with backup quarterbacks Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson both working through rough stretches before settling in a bit, and Bennett appearing slightly ahead of Simpson. On the other side of the ball, Josaiah Stewart made his presence felt as a disruptive defender, while punter Ethan Evans had some accuracy concerns that stood out. For the Saints, it was the kind of practice that can be useful not just because of what was done well, but because it showed where a contender can still expose openings. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Need More From Bryce Lance Than Expected
Bryce Lance did a little more than just take advantage of a busy joint practice against the Rams. The rookie receiver caught all five of his targets and hauled in two touchdown passes from Tyler Shough, a showing that stood out in a session where New Orleans was looking for signs of depth and reliability from its younger pass-catchers. Head coach Kellen Moore singled out Lances contested catches against talented defenders, a notable compliment for a player trying to carve out a larger role early.
The opportunity may be arriving sooner than the Saints expected. With Jordyn Tyson dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out for about two months, Lance suddenly looks like someone New Orleans may need to lean on in games, not just in practice. For a rookie, that shifts the conversation from development to responsibility, and it gives the Saints another reason to keep watching whether the flashes he showed against Los Angeles can carry over when the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Fans Will Recognize Plenty In Devin Neals New Number
As the Saints head toward their Sept. 13 opener against the Lions, Devin Neal is already carrying a number that will look familiar to long-time fans. The rookie running back, battling for the third spot in New Orleans backfield, will wear No. 24, a jersey that has had plenty of life in black and gold over the years.
It is a number with a traceable Saints history, worn by 25 other players before Neal. For fans who like connecting new names to old ones, it offers an easy little bridge between eras, especially with training camp roster battles still unfolding and the season opener still just ahead. [Read more 🡒]