Saints Players Making a Late Push for Roster Spots

Here are some Saints players that are making roster decisions very difficult heading into the last week of preseason.

Preseason is drawing to a close, and NFL roster cuts are right around the corner. The New Orleans Saints host the Houston Texans in their final preseason game on Sunday. By Tuesday, August 29, all NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players. 

After an active offseason, the Saints look to have a talented team capable of contending. However, there will be some tough roster decisions for head coach Dennis Allen and his staff in the days ahead. 

Making it even tougher is a handful of players who weren't expected to make the roster but have performed well above expectations. Here are six New Orleans players who could find themselves on the final 53 with a strong finish to the preseason. 

Ellis Merriweather, RB 

New Orleans Saints running back Ellis Merriweather (35) catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans has a history of finding productive running backs out of undrafted players. A list that includes Chris Ivory, Khiry Robinson, Travaris Cadet, and Tony Jones might soon be joined by Merriweather. The undrafted rookie from Massachusetts was thought to be a one-dimensional power runner, but has shown more facets to his game than expected. 

Merriweather has 39 rushing yards on 14 carries in two preseason games. Those aren't impressive numbers, but he's also been the victim of poor blocking from backup offensive linemen. Despite that, he's hit the line with good authority and impressive power.

Perhaps the most surprising of Merriweather's game so far are his skills as a receiver. He's pulled in six passes for 43 yards and a score, slipping out of the backfield with nice agility and exhibiting sure hands and open field skills.

Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three weeks of the year. Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller will assume the brunt of the backfield duties while he's out. However, the Saints need competent depth here at least until Kamara's return. 

Merriweather has outplayed recently signed Darrel Williams, but it's possible that the Saints will prefer NFL experience while Kamara is out. At the very least, Merriweather has made the decision difficult and could secure a spot with another strong performance against Houston. 

Shaq Davis, WR 

New Orleans Saints wideout Shaq Davis catches a pass over Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Brown (38). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Like at running back, the Saints have had a tremendous history at unearthing talent at receiver from undrafted players or late-round selections. Eric Martin, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Brandon Coleman, Willie Snead, Deonte Harty, Marquez Callaway, and Rashid Shaheed comprise an impressive list of stars and contributors.

Sixth-round pick A.T. Perry and potentially Davis could add their own names. Perry looks to have all bit clinched a roster spot. Davis became a fan favorite after three catches for 63 yards against the Chargers last Sunday. That followed two catches for 20 yards versus the Chiefs the previous week. 

A huge receiver at 6'5" and 215-Lbs., Davis has done most of his work from the slot, where he presents a significant size advantage. He's also shown some good open field running ability, willingness to work back to the quarterback on broken plays, and has made tough catches in traffic. 

Undrafted out of South Carolina State, Davis is extremely raw as a route runner. He also hasn’t seen much action on special teams, putting him at a big disadvantage when trying to earn one of the last roster spots. An eye-popping performance against the Texans could vault him onto the roster, but Davis seems destined for the practice squad for more development. 

Niko Lalos, DE

New Orleans Saints DE Niko Lalos (54) sacks Chargers QB Easton Stick (2). Credit: NBC Sports 

Lalos singlehandedly destroyed the Chargers offensive line on a three-play sequence late in the fourth quarter with a batted down throw and back-to-back sacks. He's also played well against the run and plays with a non-stop motor. 

Undrafted out of Dartmouth in 2020, Lalos appeared in six games for the Giants as a rookie and a year on their practice squad before spending 2022 on the Saints practice squad. He was a standout for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL before rejoining New Orleans this offseason. 

Lalos has played well, but might be caught up in the numbers game. The Saints are loaded at defensive end with Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and rookie second-round pick Isaiah Foskey. 

Unless New Orleans were surprisingly trade someone like Granderson or Kpassagnon (unlikely), then it's hard to see Lalos making the roster. If he were to clear waivers after released, Lalos would be great insurance on the practice squad. 

Jack Heflin, DT

New Orleans Saints DT Jack Heflin (95) in preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs. Credit: New Orleans Saints 

Heflin hasn't jumped off the stat sheet, but has quietly been an efficient interior presence. Against the Chargers, he was in on several key run stops and a couple crucial pressures late in the game.

Heflin appeared in four games for the Packers as a rookie in 2021 before spending most of last year on the Giants practice squad. This past spring, he earned all-XFL recognition as a standout defender for the Houston Roughnecks. 

At 6'3" and 305-Lbs., Heflin is a solid run defender and a decent power rusher against the pass. New Orleans revamped their defensive tackle spot this offseason by drafting Bryan Bresee with a first-round choice and adding free agents Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd. With Malcolm Roach also playing extremely well, it's hard to envision Heflin as anything more than practice squad insurance. 

Nephi Sewell, LB 

Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller (28) runs with the ball as New Orleans Saints linebacker Nephi Sewell (45) makes the tackle.. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY

Nobody from the Saints practice squad in 2022 has made a bigger jump in development than Sewell. A converted collegiate safety and undrafted rookie from Utah, Sewell appeared in four games as a special teamer. 

This offseason, Sewell has consistently taken snaps with the first team defense in place of a banged up Demario Davis. He's shown not only a great grasp of the defense, but also good positioning against the run and agile coverage skills.

New Orleans signed Jaylon Smith as the third linebacker to complement Davis and Pete Werner. However, Sewell has emerged as a pleasant surprise to cement what had been questionable depth at the position. Also helping his cause is the fact that he's a strong special teams contributor. 

D'Marco Jackson and Ty Summers have also had some impressive moments, while fourth-year LB Zack Baun continues to struggle mightily. Whether the Saints keep five or six linebackers, it would be surprising if Sewell didn't start the year on the active roster. 

Ugo Amadi, S/CB

New Orleans Saints S Ugo Amadi (0) in preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs. Credit: New Orleans Saints 

A fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oregon, Amadi spent his first three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before finishing last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. An overlooked offseason pick up, most thought that Amadi, at best, might have an outside shot for a special teams job for New Orleans. 

Instead, the 26-year-old has been a consistent playmaker for the Saints defense throughout training camp practices and both preseason games. Amadi has recorded five tackles, an interception, and had an impressive 17-yard punt return in two preseason outings. Most of those reps have come with the first or second team units.

Undersized at 5'9" and 201-Lbs., Amadi has still been active as a run defender. More importantly, he's shown terrific range in coverage as a safety and has also been effective in slot duties as an extra corner.

Amadi has drastically outplayed Lonnie Johnson and Jonathan Abram, two other offseason signings by the Saints at the position. Marcus Maye, Tyrann Mathieu, rookie Jordan Howden, and special teams ace J.T. Gray are probable roster locks here. That leaves one more likely spot, potentially two with a pending suspension to Maye looming. 

Ugo Amadi looks like he's played his way onto the New Orleans roster. Johnson will be a factor also, but Amadi has shown the versatility and athleticism that the Saints value at the position. Along with some other players, Amadi might need one more standout outing against the Texans to clinch a job.