Saints Who Helped Themselves in Final Preseason Game vs. Texans

The last best chance for some New Orleans Saints looking to make an NFL roster is in the books, and an old friend was one of biggest and best standouts.

With the final preseason game in the books for the New Orleans Saints, several players had standout performances. Defensive linemen like Bryan Bresee, Niko Lalos and Malcolm Roach all showed up big. But players still either fighting for a roster spot or jostling for position needed big performances Sunday night. Here are the players we think helped themselves the most in the Saints' loss to the Houston Texans.

Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the pregame at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

TE Jimmy Graham

Not that he needed to help himself much, but what a game for Graham. First a huge catch over a defender down the field, only to close it out with a patented jump ball touchdown. The return of Graham was a surprise move by the Saints this offseason and did not come with any guarantee that he would make the initial 53-man roster. But the value that everyone expected would close out the decision is what Graham can do as a redzone threat. His three-yard touchdown reception might not look like much on the stat sheet, but it was a huge moment for Graham and the Saints. Not to mention a little nostalgia for the fanbase.

DE Isaiah Foskey

The rookie defensive end needed a breakout moment in this game and he did not wait long to find it. Following a nice tackle for a loss in the Texans' backfield he and Niko Lalos teamed up for a sack on Texans quarterback Davis Mills. Foskey has drawn a lot of criticism after having a quiet preseason so far. But this week has been a bit of a shift in direction for the Notre Dame product. He had his strongest week of practice this week and followed it up with a standout game against Houston. His roster spot was never in doubt, but a change in perception perhaps is on the way.

LB D'Marco Jackson

Jackson is fighting for a spot with an all-of-a-sudden crowded linebacker room thanks to the recent addition of veteran Jaylon Smith (who stood out in his own right Sunday night). The 2022 fifth-round selection is now more directly competing with special teams aces at the position like Ty Summers and Nick Anderson. He made himself some nice progress in gaining some ground in that category.

TE Lucas Krull

Krull struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend catching only 3 of 8 targets in the matchup. He rebounded well against the Texans surpassing the century mark with with 106 receiving yards on 7 catches. His catch percentage plummeted after he was being force-fed toward the end of the game, that should not be held against his performance. After seemingly being eclipsed by Graham in the early goings of the matchup, he at least made things interesting.

LB Nick Anderson

Much like the aforementioned Jackson, Anderson did himself some favors with very nice special teams play. But also added a stride-for-stride pass break up down field. Sure, you would like to see him turn around to make the play more cleanly, but the undrafted rookie was in position and where he needed to be to make a play on the ball. The numbers may be against Anderson when it comes to making the 53-man roster, but putting something positive on tape might help his chances elsewhere if not here in New Orleans.

Team Discipline

Not a player, but still an important and big step forward for the Saints Sunday night. After piling on 23 penalties for 222 yards over the first two preseason games, the team committed only 2 for 15 yards against the Texans. Head coach Dennis Allen attributed the lone false start penalty the team was called for to simply taking too long to get the play going. A huge leap for the team that was by far the most penalized of the preseason going into the week.