The final 53 man roster is in and the results are not too surprising this year. About what was expected on offense and a surprise name on defense. Let us break it down by position starting on offense.

(QB) - 3

Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson

The Saints are rolling with Shough, Rattler, and Wilson to start the regular season. Shough of course the starting quarterback but after him there was certainly some potential for surprise given the lackluster performance by Rattler and Wilson this offseason. Sounds like the Saints were exploring outside options at backup quarterback so look for that interest to continue for the near future.

(RB) - 4 

Travis Etienne Jr, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime

Four running backs is typically unusual but given the health of the running backs on the roster currently carrying four makes total sense. Kamara is banged up currently and Miller has obvious talent but has not been able to show the ability to stay healthy. Audric Estime capitalized on his opportunity given the uncertainty of health in the room. 

(WR) - 5 

Chris Olave, DeVaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Kevin Austin Jr

Even with the injury to Jordyn Tyson the Saints are feeling very satisfied with this wide receiver room. Lance and Brown especially have shown this offseason and training camp they will be able to contribute when their number is called which could certainly be sooner than later. 

(TE) - 4

Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp, Treyton Welch

Four tight ends is a little surprising but because of a hamstring issue with Delp Welch latches on with the team. Welch has shown to be a capable back up tight end and can play special teams so his presence will help solidify the back of the depth chart while Delp gets healthy. 

(OL) - 8

Kelvin Banks Jr, David Edwards, Eric McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Asim Richards, Jeremiah Wright, William Sherman

No real surprises here in the offensive live room as the Saints feel good about the potential and depth of this group. Of the group Jeremiah Wright showed some real potential in the preseason to maybe push for a starting role before too long should Cesar Ruiz not step up his level of play. 

(iDL) - 6 

Davon Godchaux, Christen Miller, Vernon Broughton, Nathan Shepard, John Ridgeway III, Khristian Boyd

There was room for a surprise here with the injury to Bresee early on in training camp however the names in this room have quite a bit to prove. The D-line group consists of aging veterans and unproven youngsters so this will be a position on the team to monitor this season with quite a few question marks moving forward.

(Edge) - 6 

Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan, Anfernee Jennings, Chris Rumph, Tyree Wilson

As expected here, the only question of this group in the offseason was whether Cameron Jordan would return or not. Chase Young is poised to take over the top pass rushing mantle from Jordan and become the cornerstone piece on defense for the Saints looking ahead. Behind him are reliable veterans who know their role and what is expected of them. 

(LB) - 4

Kaden Ellis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stallbird

This will be an interesting group to watch this after the departure of Demario Davis this offseason. Davis’ presence has kept quite a few young, talented linebackers from getting their opportunity on the field but opportunity is plentiful with his absence combined with the level of play from Pete Werner last season. Kaden Ellis looks to make an impact in his return to the Saints as a versatile piece for Brandon Staley to deploy in different spots on defense. 

(CB) - 4

Kool Aid-McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Martin Emerson Jr, Jayden Price

Four corners is an interesting choice not usually made by many teams. The back end depth at corner was dealt some major injuries throughout camp and preseason so this could be a position where the Saints try to fortify on the back end sooner than later. Overall though this is quite the young group of corner who will have their work cut out for them this season on the back end. Croner felt like a position the Saints wished they were able to make a bigger investment in this offseason but ultimately were not able to. 

(DB) - 6

Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jonas Sanker, Jordan Howden, Lorenzo Styles Jr, Mike Reid

Here comes the biggest surprise of the list, Mike Reid. Reid's addition to the 53 man roster felt purely about the ability he showed while playing special teams this summer so kudos to him for earning a spot. The defensive back room as a whole is a good mixture between talented veterans and young players with upside most notably Jonas Sanker after having an impressive rookie season. Sanker will be the one to watch from this group as his role changes to play more in the slot. 

(Specialists) - 3

Ryan Wright, Daniel Carlson, Zach Wood

The surprise here was Carlson who was given a week to earn the kicking job and promptly did so in the last preseason game against the Cowboys. Both Carlson and Wright are looking to finally answer the long time woes the Saints have had at both the kicker and punter positions. For the Saints sake I hope they do as they would deeply benefit from some stability in those positions.

The main takeaway from me is the majority of 53 feels written in stone while there are some positions where there will probably be more changes in the coming weeks. The Saints came out of the preseason in a good spot and will look to capitalize in Week 1 when they travel to Detroit to take on the Lions.