# What does the Saints' early 53-man roster projection look like after OTAs and minicamp?

Based on the wiki's coverage of OTAs, minicamp, and the team's depth chart, here's the early 53-man projection for the Saints:

**QB:** Tyler Shough is locked in as the starter. No other QB is mentioned as fantasy-relevant — likely a backup battle still unsettled (Saints team page lists only Shough).

**RB:** Travis Etienne Jr. is the clear lead back after signing a four-year deal (PPR #47). **Alvin Kamara is still on the roster but his status is the biggest roster question** — he's missed OTAs, showed up in early June, and trade/release is still possible. The wiki says his "days in New Orleans appear numbered" (from the Saints team page). If Kamara stays, he'd be RB2.

**WR:** Locked-in starters are **Chris Olave** (WR1, expected to clear blood thinners June 29) and rookie **Jordyn Tyson** (8th overall pick, limited in OTAs with hamstring strains). **Bryce Lance** is slotted as WR4 but projects to WR3. Olave's contract extension is expected before training camp but isn't done yet.

**TE:** **Juwan Johnson** is the starter. Rookie **Oscar Delp** (top-75 pick) impressed in OTAs. Taysom Hill is gone — "the offense will look different without his flexibility" per Kellen Moore (from the Saints team page).

**Edge:** **Cameron Jordan** (returning for final season), **Chase Young**, and **Carl Granderson** are the only "absolute locks" at edge (from the Cameron Jordan page). Younger prospects like Myles Cole and Fadil Diggs face limited opportunities.

**Biggest camp battles/fights to watch:** Kamara's future, Olave's health clearance, and the defensive back committee at slot corner (Julian Blackman, Jonas Sanker, Justin Reid). Kellen Moore plans to use joint practices (Jaguars, Cowboys, Rams) as his primary evaluation tool, so starters may see minimal preseason game reps.

> On Fantasy Points, Evan Silva said he's "all in on the Saints offense as an entity this season in Kellen Moore's second year" — [hear the clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buw0fyY0tr8&t=301s). Meanwhile, Ron Stewart noted on his channel that if Kamara is somehow still on the roster come Week 1, "at the very least that's going to take Travis Etienne off the field on passing downs" — [hear the clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbYssvn7n2g&t=2624s).

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Answered 2026-06-23 by ChatFFB — fantasy football answers from a live news wiki.
Source: https://chatffb.com/ask/what-does-the-saints-early-53-man-roster-projection-look-like-after-ot