The Saints are heading into training camp with more competition across the roster than they’ve had in a while, and that’s going to make for some brutal decisions once the pads come on. New Orleans has optimism around Tyler Shough, an offense entering its second season under Kellen Moore, and what’s being described as one of the NFL’s deepest rosters in years. But depth only matters if the right players win the right jobs.
The backup quarterback battle is one of the first places that tension shows up. Shough is locked in as the starter after a rookie season in which he went 5-3 as a starter, but the QB2 spot is very much up for grabs.
Spencer Rattler brings experience in the offense and started 13 games last season. Zach Wilson arrives trying to get his career back on track after being the No. 2 overall pick.
Hunter Dekkers is also in the quarterback room, which only raises the stakes. The winner could end up being one of the league’s most important backups.
The loser may be battling just to stay on the roster.
Running back has its own pressure points, and Kendre Miller is right in the middle of them. The former third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal after injuries and inconsistency slowed his progress.
Devin Neal, now in his second year, is coming in with momentum. The Saints’ current running back hierarchy appears to be Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson.
Miller has to show he can stay healthy and produce consistently, because New Orleans could easily lean into younger options if he doesn’t.
Special teams might produce the most interesting camp fight of all. Charlie Smyth returns with elite leg strength and real upside, but Tanner Brown is coming off a huge UFL season.
Brown helped lead the Louisville Kings to a championship and won 2026 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He also became the first professional kicker in history to make two field goals from 60-plus yards in the same game, including a 63-yarder in the playoffs.
He finished 25-of-28 on field goals in the regular season and was perfect on four tries in the postseason. The Saints usually value consistency, which makes this one especially worth watching.
Wide receiver depth is another spot where the roster math gets tricky. Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, and Devaughn Vele are safe.
After that, things are wide open. Bub Means needs to rebound from an injury-shortened second season.
Ja’Lynn Polk is trying to restart his NFL career after two underwhelming years. Bryce Lance and Barion Brown bring youth, upside, and special teams value.
In a crowded room like this, versatility could be the deciding factor when cuts come around.
Up front, Jeremiah Wright was drafted to compete right away, and he’ll get that chance on the interior offensive line. Veterans know nothing is guaranteed under Kellen Moore, and a strong preseason from Wright could change the depth chart in a hurry.
The same kind of pressure exists in the secondary. Isaac Yiadom is back on a three-year, $9 million contract, but that doesn’t make his role safe.
Martin Emerson Jr. offers younger upside, and other defensive backs can help on special teams for less money. With future extensions on the horizon, veteran contracts are going to be watched closely, and Yiadom has to beat out the younger alternatives.
There’s also a real battle brewing on the edge behind Chase Young and Cam Jordan. Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Jennings are fighting for rotational snaps, with Chris Rumph II and second-year pass rusher Fadil Diggs also in the mix.
Wilson brings first-round pedigree and upside. Jennings brings physicality, experience, and reliability.
The winner could end up as a major piece in Brandon Staley’s defense.
The interior defensive line has its own showdown. Davon Godchaux is in the final year of his contract and under plenty of pressure, while second-round pick Christen Miller is expected to push for snaps right away.
Khristian Boyd, Vernon Broughton, John Ridgeway III, and Zxavian Harris are also in the mix. The Saints want to get younger and more athletic up front, and Godchaux has to prove he still deserves a major role.
Veteran DT Nate Shepard is also involved, with one year left on his deal, and he has outperformed in comparison to Godcheaux on defense, though time will tell what happens there.
At tight end, Noah Fant enters camp as the favorite to start, but rookie Oscar Delp is one of the more closely watched players on the roster. If Delp develops quickly, it could change how Kellen Moore uses the offense in Year 2 and open the door to more two-tight-end looks.
The return game is another spot where the Saints are trying to gain an edge. Rookie Barion Brown is the favorite to handle return duties after being one of college football’s most dangerous return specialists at LSU.
Mason Tipton is his biggest challenger, with Trey Palmer, Ronnie Bell, and Kool-Aid McKinstry also in the mix. Special teams coordinator Phil Galiano is under pressure to improve field position, and because the receiver room is so crowded, winning the return job could be the ticket to one of the final 53-man roster spots.
That’s the bigger picture for New Orleans: more depth, more competition, and a lot more difficult calls coming soon. For Kellen Moore and his staff, that’s the good problem. The hard part is figuring out who stays, who goes, and which of these battles end up shaping the Saints’ push back toward playoff contention in 2026.
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