The New Orleans Saints trimmed the roster down from 90 players to the required 53 by Tuesday's deadline and threw out a few surprises in the process.
This flurry of roster moves included sending some names to injured reserve, such as running back Kendre Miller. Defenders Tanoh Kpassagnon and Nephi Sewell also went to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Before the Saints next formulate a practice squad and partake in the waiver wire, here’s a look at a handful of the biggest surprises from the Saints at final cuts.
Undrafted free agents
This is an unusual one for the Saints. A notable four undrafted rookies made the final roster:
P Matthew Hayball
TE Dallin Holker
CB Rico Payton
WR Mason Tipton
Most notable here might be Tipton, who makes it as one of six wideouts despite missing the last few weeks with a hamstring injury. That sort of says it all about how the coaching staff views him. Ditto for Payton, who probably would have been claimed by another team.
Thin OL
The Saints clearly have some sort of plan in the works after keeping just eight offensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster. Even veteran Shane Lemieux and late-round rookie Josiah Ezirim were shown the door. Considering Trevor Penning’s shaky status at right tackle and Taliese Fuaga’s minor setback during camp, it’s safe to assume they look at free agents and the waiver wire.
Johnathan Abram
The Saints cut Abram, who at one point over the summer seemed like the guy headed toward being the starter alongside Tyrann Mathieu. Maybe that still happens at some point, but it will take him slipping to the practice squad. Otherwise, the Saints kept just four safeties on the initial 53, alongside just five corners.
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