Ross Jackson · Jul 1, 2026
Ross Jackson lays out his early defensive 53-man roster projection for the 2026 Saints, naming five edge rushers, four interior defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, five linebackers and five safeties, plus his kicker, punter and long snapper, and sends Mike Heldman, Chris Rumph and Jackson Sirmon to the practice squad.
“So I have the scenes keeping five safeties, and this is a really strong safety room.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast) · read the original →
32 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Anfernee Jennings to make the roster
“Then we're adding in Anthony Jennings, one of the league's best edge setters in the run game”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Michael Heldman to make the roster
“it just kind of means that you're probably looking at a practice squad spot for Heldman”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Bryan Bresee to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Chase Young to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Cameron Jordan to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Carl Granderson to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Tyree Wilson to make the roster
“And then Tyree Wilson, who this inch traded a fifth round pick for during the draft... And so as of right now, I have him, keeping this keeping that opportunity.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Chris Rumph II to make the roster
“And then Chris Rumph the third ends or Chris Rumph, the second, excuse me, ends up being another player kind of on the outside looking in... Hopefully, a veteran practice squad spot available for him”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Vernon Broughton to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Christian Miller to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Kool-Aid McKinstry to be 1st on the depth chart
“the leadership is also coming from setting the example on the football field as the top corner in the room, and that's being done by Kool Aid McKinstry... So Kool Aid and Quincy are your your starters.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Quincy Riley to be 1st on the depth chart
“my projection for the quarterback room is, Quilead McKentry, Quincy Riley, those year two starters on the outside”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Davon Godchaux to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Isaac Yiadom to make the roster
“And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Martin Emerson to make the roster
“And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jayden Price to make the roster
“And then I'm gonna roll with Jaden Pryce. Jaden Pryce as the fifth corner that I'm gonna keep on this roster right now”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Kaden Elliss to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Pete Werner to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Danny Stutsman to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Isaiah Stalbird to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jaylan Ford to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jackson Sirmon to make the roster
“I think that, you know, Sermon has a quick path to be the only linebacker that was brought in outside of Ellis this offseason to the practice squad”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Justin Reid to make the roster
“So I have the scenes keeping five safeties... Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Justin Reid to be 1st on the depth chart
“Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Julian Blackmon to be 1st on the depth chart
“Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jonas Sanker to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jonas Sanker out of Virginia, who is now stepping into Allante Taylor's role as the star slot defender, in this defense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jordan Howden to make the roster
“After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Terrell Burgess to make the roster
“After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Charlie Smyth to make the roster
“I mentioned in yesterday's episode, Charlie Smith. I'm keeping him on as the kicker right now”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Charlie Smyth to be 1st on the depth chart
“makes the most sense to keep Charlie Smith there... as the kicker. We'll see if he rides to that competition. Pretty confident he will going into training camp.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Ryan Wright to be 1st on the depth chart
“Your punter is Ryan Wright... He's gonna be there.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsZach WoodNew Orleans SaintsJul 1, 2026
Zach Wood to be 1st on the depth chart
“And then finally, long snapper, Zach Wood... no competition for Zach Wood, uncontested. He's your guy”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.