Saints’ 2025 Initial 53-man Roster: New Orleans names starting QB and makes tough decisions after recent trades adjust depth on offense and defense

We are officially barreling toward Week 1 of the 2025 season now that the New Orleans Saints have its initial 53-man roster in place.

I'd say plenty of starting roles, outside of quarterback, have already been decided ahead of today. That being said, depth and roster bubble choices had to be made. The Saints coaching staff and front office had until this afternoon to lock in their decisions. Every player who is now on the active roster knows it by this point for New Orleans.

Let’s dive break down the Saints’ initial 53-man roster for the 2025 season.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks, and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (2)

IN: Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough*

The skinny: Rattler has been named the starting quarterback for New Orleans. Kellen Moore made that official on Tuesday afternoon. Shough is the backup for now, and the Saints hope to get Jake Haener back on their practice squad. If they don't, they'll have to add another depth option in free agency.

Running back (4)

IN: Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal*, Velus Jones Jr.

The skinny: The preseason garnered the back half of this group their spots. Neal is a rookie who the staff raved about early in the offseason, and he played well in the exhibition finale. Jones was a player on the bubble, but his speed and special teams ability grabbed him a spot. He deserved it.

Wide receiver (6)

IN: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr.
IR/PUP: Bub Means

The skinny: No surprises here. Wilson was the one that some felt may lose his spot due to the trade for Vele. That wasn't the case, and his special teams prowess is probably the reason. I don't expect him to see many offensive snaps with Vele healthy. Tipton's preseason stardom earns him a spot again.

Tight end (3)

IN: Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll, Moliki Matavao*
IR/PUP: Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau

The skinny: Treyton Welch was a surprise cut here. Matavao didn't get a ton of preseason opportunity, but the Saints clearly felt they should keep the rookie in the fold. Welch should be a target for the practice squad. New Orleans needs another depth piece here.

Offensive line (9)

IN: Taliese Fuaga, Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy, Trevor Penning, Kelvin Banks Jr.*, Dillon Radunz, Asim Richards, Luke Fortner, Torricelli Simpkins III**
IR/PUP: Landon Young, Nick Saldiveri, Barry Wesley, Will Clapp

The skinny: Love to see Simpkins here. He had a phenomenal preseason and gets rewarded for it. Richards was added in a trade Tuesday morning with the Cowboys. He provides tackle experience and solid pass protection as a backup. Fortner is another recent trade addition.

Interior defensive line (6)

IN: Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Khristian Boyd, Jonathan Bullard, Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton*
IR/PUP: John Ridgeway


The skinny: Interested to see the playing time here. Bresee took a step forward last year, but New Orleans needs even more from him. I expect Godchaux to start inside as well, but Boyd will push for playing time. He's a young player with legit upside and support from he coaching staff.

Linebacker (5)

IN: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman*, Isaiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford

The skinny: Stalbird's special teams dominance earns him a role on the depth chart for Week 1 as of now. This group was clear outside of him. New Orleans couldn't afford to lose Ford on waivers if they cut ties. He will be a depth defensive piece and special teams starter, probably.

EDGE (4)

IN: Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Chris Rumph II

The skinny: Only four edge rushers for the Saints. Shows their lack of depth here. Isaiah Foskey, a former second-round pick, is among the cuts here. He simply never showed enough on the field in games, preseason or not, to prove he needed to stay on the roster. Rumph has ties to new DC Brandon Staley.

Cornerback (6)

IN: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alontae Taylor, Ugo Amadi, Quincy Riley*, Isaac Yiadom, Rejzohn Wright

The skinny: Wright grabs a spot over others like Rico Payton here. He made some plays in the preseason, so I am not shocked. Expect to see Riley more as a rookie than previously expected, too. Also, Alontae Taylor is still dealing with an injury that could keep him out of Week 1. Keep an eye on that situation over the next week.

Safety (5)

IN: Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, JT Gray, Jonas Sanker*, Jordan Howden

The skinny: A bit surprised Howden got kept. That being said, only four safeties would have been a slippery slope as afar as depth goes. Gray is a special teams leader. I like the outlook for Sanker. He flew around the field at training camp and in the preseason.

Specialists (3)

IN: Blake Grupe, Kai Kroeger, Zach Wood

The skinny: No surprises here. Kroeger beat James Burnip in a punter showdown during the preseason to win the job for now. Grupe has been fantastic this offseason.

Final Word

This is the group for New Orleans with just over a week until the season opener. We could see some depth moves or small adjustments to this group, but overall, you'll see nearly every one of these names on the active roster against Arizona. The Saints may have to take their lumps at times in Kellen Moore's first season, but they also have some talent to pull upsets at times this year. We'll see how it shakes out for the long-term future in New Orleans.