The Saints’ rookie class enters Preseason Week 2 with a mix of momentum, questions, and a few players already fighting through injuries.
The biggest concern is at wide receiver, where Jordyn Tyson is expected to be sidelined until late October or early November. That absence could open the door for other young receivers to push for a bigger role, especially with Tyson unavailable for the foreseeable future.
On the injury front, defensive tackle Christen Miller is also dealing with a setback. He turned in a strong showing last week against the Jaguars before leaving early with a shoulder injury.
The fact that he traveled with the team to California is a positive sign for his status this week. If he’s able to go, it would be a major boost, and he’ll have a chance to show he can handle starting duties.
If he can’t, it would be disappointing, but not a deal-breaker.
Tight end Oscar Delp found the end zone against the Jaguars, but the overall outing left room for improvement. He had drop issues and didn’t consistently secure the ball, even on catches he completed.
Week 2 offers a chance for Delp to be steadier, even if the big plays aren’t there. The Saints clearly view him as a developmental piece, and they’re in no hurry to rush him into a starting role.
At guard, Jeremiah Wright got the starting nod at right guard with the starters sitting out. The performance wasn’t spotless, but he showed enough in pass protection and in the run game to leave a solid impression.
He doesn’t look ready to start in the regular season yet, but the Saints should feel fairly good about where he’s headed. His next test comes against a talented Los Angeles Rams defensive line, and consistency will matter.
Even so, there’s no need to panic if he comes up short.
The receiving group gets even more interesting with Bryce Lance and Barion Brown, a pair of Day 3 rookies who may need to matter more if Tyson remains out. Brown already made a strong case in Week 1, when he was targeted often and kept delivering.
He finished 4/4 and showed he can answer the bell when called upon. Still, he’ll need an even better performance if he wants to keep climbing.
Bub Means stood out, and Trey Palmer made some incredible plays, so the fight for the WR3 job is very much alive. Brown’s roster spot isn’t in danger, but that third receiver role absolutely is.
Lance, meanwhile, needs to get on the field this week. He missed Week 1 after dealing with an injury earlier in the week, and while he isn’t in danger of being cut, his place on the depth chart remains unsettled.
In the secondary, Lorenzo Styles Jr. and TJ Hall had very different takes on Week 1. Hall had a rough finish, giving up a huge play late in the fourth quarter that helped set up the Jaguars’ game-winning touchdown on the next snap.
He was also flagged on the play. Don’t be surprised if the Saints send him right back out there to close this one out, but he’ll need to avoid another back-breaking mistake.
Styles Jr. made his presence felt on special teams and nearly came up with a highlight play on a punt. That’s where he should help right away, though he also held his own in coverage, which is a good sign.
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 🡒]