The August 31st deadline for NFL teams to submit their final 53-man rosters has come and gone. With extremely competitive position battles and large groups to whittle down, the Saints were forced to make some difficult decisions.
Some longtime veterans were set free and impressive rookies couldn’t quite do enough during the preseason to make a squad that is oozing with top-tier NFL talent. It’s time to go over the decisions from a busy weekend in New Orleans.
To see how the full 53-man rosters shook out for the other NFC South teams check here.
Hill is more than just a backup QB for the Saints
Officially, the Saints have only two tight ends on the roster: newcomer Jared Cook and six-year veteran Josh Hill. However, there’s another Hill on the team that caused the number to stay so low: Taysom Hill. The real story of the preseason was Taysom’s emergence as a legitimate threat to Teddy Bridgewater’s backup position.
Hill turned heads as he outperformed Bridgewater through the season with a four-game total of 443 yards passing, and three touchdowns to one interception. While those numbers are not as eye-popping as you would expect, for context Hill had no more than 23 dropbacks in any game this preseason. His accuracy and decision making in the passing game looked to be improved from last season, but it’s his versatility that sets him apart on the team.
Taysom is the reason the Saints decided to keep two TEs instead of the three or four they have held onto in the past. They even led the NFL in three tight end sets run during the past couple of years. According to head coach Sean Payton, the Saints view Hill not only as a quarterback, but also an option at tight end, slot receiver, halfback, and special teams contributor. Hill was used in run blocking scenarios logging 100 snaps for the Saints last season. His versatility allowed the Saints to keep fewer TEs and in turn, use those roster spots in other areas.
A new addition to the Defense
Less than 24 hours after the roster was finalized the Saints agreed on a trade with a familiar partner. New Orleans and the Miami Dolphins have a unique relationship. Both teams are often discussed when it comes to the topic of Drew Brees’ free agency during the 2005 offseason. Since then, the teams have engaged in multiple trades and on Sunday, September 1st another deal went down.
The Saints and Dolphins swapped linebackers with New Orleans receiving Kiko Alonso in exchange for Vince Biegel. Rumors of Alonso being traded were circling after the emergence of former Saskatchewan Roughrider Sam Eguavoen. On top of that, reports of Alonso losing his starting position in Brian Flores’ new defensive system in Miami led to him requesting a trade. While Alex Anzalone, Demario Davis, and A.J. Klein will be the starting trio, the combo of Alonso and rookie Kaden Elliss should provide some solid depth to the rotation. This will also allow the Saints to prioritize Craig Robertson’s role as mostly special teams, a move that was expected throughout the offseason.
Tackling has always been the best part of Alonso’s game. While he is known to lay the hammer down, he has gotten himself and his team into sticky situations due to illegal hits on sliding QBs. One of these hits occurred just last season when Alonso went to tackle Buffalo Bills, QB Josh Allen. Granted, he did miss most of the contact with Allen’s head, but the close call led to a fight and multiple ejections.
Kiko Alonso cheap shot on QB?
Former Eagles LB ejected @6abc pic.twitter.com/UMjf4O9Zdu
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) December 30, 2018
While his role with the team is still in the air, one thing the Saints must realize is his liability in pass coverage. Arguably the worst area of his game, it seems Alonso wouldn’t be able to cover Betty White on a route, before or after she eats her snickers. Depending on the role he does end up taking, the Saints need to be wary of teams using their knowledge of his struggles against them when he is on the field.
Surprising cuts at wide receiver
Besides the battle for center, this is one of the most talked-about positions on the Saints roster. WR #1 is locked and loaded until 2023 after Michael Thomas signed a brand new contract extension right after the start of training camp. Ted Ginn returns from injury but the story of the preseason was the notable performances by a group of undrafted receivers who made waves in camp.
Emmanuel Butler, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Cyril Grayson showed out throughout preseason for the Saints. Butler was a monster in practice making some unreal grabs in traffic. He would miss some time due to a minor injury but would return to action in time for the Saints preseason games versus the Los Angeles Chargers. That game turned out to be a dud by the young receiver. However, Butler would redeem himself catching six passes in the next two games for 47 yards and a touchdown.
On the flip side, Humphrey showed just what he could bring to the Saints offense throughout the preseason games. Catching all four balls thrown his way Humphrey gained 103 receiving yards and scored a 33-yard touchdown in his NFL debut.
Taysom ➡️ Lil’Jordan Humphrey ➡️ Endzone
That’s six for the #Saints ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/ZckNBsQh8R
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 10, 2019
Not only does Humphrey pull the ball in but he shows his skills after the catch by breaking two tackles, the second with a vicious stiff-arm, to find the endzone on his twenty-yard scamper.
Unfortunately for the group of rookies, all three were cut from the team. Even more puzzling was the roster spot claimed by Austin Carr who has been targeted just twelve times during his two-year stay in New Orleans with injuries playing a big factor. The good news is that the Saints were able to put both Butler and Humphrey on the practice squad. If the team is in need of another receiver to help the offense, New Orleans is lucky that they have already seen what these guys can do for them.
