5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make New Orleans Saints’ 53-Man Roster

5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make New Orleans Saints’ 53-Man Roster

By Jacob Camenker

July 12, 2015

5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make New Orleans Saints’ 53-Man Roster

Sean Peyton New Orleans Saints — The New Orleans Saints were supposed to be competitive in the NFC South last season, and they really weren’t. The Saints struggled both offensively and defensively last season, and the team needs to make sure they upgrade their depth next season. They need to have backup plans in case some of their starters struggle again. With that said, here are some dark horse candidates who could provide depth to the Saints' roster.

The New Orleans Saints were supposed to be competitive in the NFC South last season, and they really weren’t. The Saints struggled both offensively and defensively last season, and the team needs to make sure they upgrade their depth next season. They need to have backup plans in case some of their starters struggle again. With that said, here are some dark horse candidates who could provide depth to the Saints' roster.

5. S Kenny Phillips

Kenny Phillips New Orleans Saints

5. S Kenny Phillips

Kenny Phillips New Orleans Saints — Kenny Phillips used to be a solid starting safety, but injuries have kept him sidelined for the past two seasons. Phillips is still just 28, and maybe he will finally be healthy after these past two seasons. Even if he isn’t the player he once was, he could still be a good backup safety behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro. Phillips deserves a shot at making the roster, and he will certainly get one if he can get on the field.

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Kenny Phillips used to be a solid starting safety, but injuries have kept him sidelined for the past two seasons. Phillips is still just 28, and maybe he will finally be healthy after these past two seasons. Even if he isn’t the player he once was, he could still be a good backup safety behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro. Phillips deserves a shot at making the roster, and he will certainly get one if he can get on the field.

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4. TE Orson Charles

Orson Charles New Orleans Saints

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4. TE Orson Charles

Orson Charles New Orleans Saints — The Saints lost Jimmy Graham in the offseason, so the team won’t have one tight end that will play every down. The team will likely use Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill as the top two guys, but Orson Charles may also get a look. Charles is an athletic tight end that could be a solid contributor if given the opportunity to play. He may be best as an H-Back, and he has a shot to make the roster as a third tight end if he can block well enough.

The Saints lost Jimmy Graham in the offseason, so the team won’t have one tight end that will play every down. The team will likely use Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill as the top two guys, but Orson Charles may also get a look. Charles is an athletic tight end that could be a solid contributor if given the opportunity to play. He may be best as an H-Back, and he has a shot to make the roster as a third tight end if he can block well enough.

3. OT Sean Hickey

Sean Hickey New Orleans Saints

3. OT Sean Hickey

Sean Hickey New Orleans Saints — I was surprised to see Sean Hickey go undrafted in 2015, as I thought that some team would take a chance on him. Hickey has great size and he has a chance to be a good lineman at the next level. One knock on Hickey is that he isn’t athletic, so it might be hard for him to play tackle at the NFL, as he’ll struggle with speed rushers. Still, he could be developed, and he really has a shot at being a backup lineman for the team.

I was surprised to see Sean Hickey go undrafted in 2015, as I thought that some team would take a chance on him. Hickey has great size and he has a chance to be a good lineman at the next level. One knock on Hickey is that he isn’t athletic, so it might be hard for him to play tackle at the NFL, as he’ll struggle with speed rushers. Still, he could be developed, and he really has a shot at being a backup lineman for the team.

2. RB Edwin Baker

Edwin Baker New Orleans Saints

2. RB Edwin Baker

Edwin Baker New Orleans Saints — The Saints have a knack for finding solid running backs in free agency or the late rounds of the draft. Edwin Baker is best known for a three-game stint he had with the Cleveland Browns in 2013, when he made two starts for the team and totaled 171 yards and two touchdowns. Baker has some potential, so he could work his way into New Orleans’ back by committee approach and he could be a solid fourth running back and special teamer.

The Saints have a knack for finding solid running backs in free agency or the late rounds of the draft. Edwin Baker is best known for a three-game stint he had with the Cleveland Browns in 2013, when he made two starts for the team and totaled 171 yards and two touchdowns. Baker has some potential, so he could work his way into New Orleans’ back by committee approach and he could be a solid fourth running back and special teamer.

1. DE Kaleb Eulls

Kaleb Eulls New Orleans Saints

1. DE Kaleb Eulls

Kaleb Eulls New Orleans Saints — Kaleb Eulls should have been a day-three pick without question. He was a starter in the SEC who fared very well in run support. The Mississippi State product was never a great pass rusher, but as a 3-4 defensive end that doesn’t matter too much. Eulls has a shot to win the third defensive end spot for the Saints and he could easily see some playing time as a run stuffing specialist. Signing Eulls was great decision by the Saints.

Kaleb Eulls should have been a day-three pick without question. He was a starter in the SEC who fared very well in run support. The Mississippi State product was never a great pass rusher, but as a 3-4 defensive end that doesn’t matter too much. Eulls has a shot to win the third defensive end spot for the Saints and he could easily see some playing time as a run stuffing specialist. Signing Eulls was great decision by the Saints.

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