Ross Jackson#21 of 87 NFL pundits · Jul 1, 2026

Ross Jackson lays out their 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 their kicker, punter and long snapper, and sends Mike Heldman, Chris Rumph and Jackson Sirmon to the practice squad.

Said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast)Hear the original

17 of 19calls landed17 hits · 2 misses · 13 waiting

89.5Average accuracyout of 100, across 19 calls

89.5A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

19 of 32Settled13 still waiting

#21Ross Jackson’s rankof 87 ranked NFL pundits

What Ross Jackson said

So I have the scenes keeping five safeties, and this is a really strong safety room.

Ross Jackson, the lead quote

Where it was said: Locked On Saints (podcast)
The episode: NEXT GEN: New Orleans Saints’ Chase Young Primed To Lead In Defensive 53-Man Roster Projection
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidJul 1
GradedSep 25–Nov 9

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Misses	Waiting
Roster Spot Calls	17	2	5
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	8
All	17	2	13

How each call scored

32 checkable claims — 24 roster spot calls and 8 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 31 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

19 of 32 have settled so far, averaging 89.5 out of 100, against 89.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.

Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Where this call stands in the room

Quincy Riley · 2026 season

Ross Jackson — 1the room — 3 calls from 3 punditsmedian 1

Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.

Roster Spot Calls17 hits · 2 misses · 5 waitingShow ▸

Charlie Smyth to make the roster
“I mentioned in yesterday's episode, Charlie Smith. I'm keeping him on as the kicker right now”
Charlie Smyth New Orleans Saints
1 week on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Charlie Smyth
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
1
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
9
weeks on the practice squad:
7
Think this is wrong?
Jaylan Ford to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Jaylan Ford New Orleans Saints
1 week on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Jaylan Ford
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
1
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
5
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Jackson Sirmon to land on the practice squad
“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”
Jackson Sirmon New Orleans Saints
1 week on a 53
0Miss
0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
−200
player:
Jackson Sirmon
season:
2026
claimed:
he lands on the practice squad
accuracy:
0
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
1
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
4
weeks on the practice squad:
3
Think this is wrong?
Carl Granderson to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Carl Granderson New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Carl Granderson
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
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.”
Tyree Wilson New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Tyree Wilson
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
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”
Jayden Price New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
200
player:
Jayden Price
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Kaden Elliss to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Kaden Elliss New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Kaden Elliss
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Davon Godchaux to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Davon Godchaux New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Davon Godchaux
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
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”
Justin Reid New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Justin Reid
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
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”
Anfernee Jennings New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Anfernee Jennings
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Chris Rumph II to be cut
“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”
Chris Rumph II New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
0Miss
0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
−200
player:
Chris Rumph II
season:
2026
claimed:
he does not make the 53
accuracy:
0
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Pete Werner to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Pete Werner New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Pete Werner
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Vernon Broughton to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Vernon Broughton New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Vernon Broughton
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Martin Emerson to make the roster
“And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”
Martin Emerson New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
200
player:
Martin Emerson
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Danny Stutsman to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Danny Stutsman New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Danny Stutsman
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Chase Young to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Chase Young New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Chase Young
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Cameron Jordan to make the roster
“we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”
Cameron Jordan New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Cameron Jordan
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Jordan Howden to make the roster
“After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”
Jordan Howden New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Jordan Howden
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Isaiah Stalbird to make the roster
“So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”
Isaiah Stalbird New Orleans Saints
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
NO
skill:
0
player:
Isaiah Stalbird
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Michael Heldman to land on the practice squad
“it just kind of means that you're probably looking at a practice squad spot for Heldman”
Michael Heldman New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Bryan Bresee to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Bryan Bresee New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Terrell Burgess to make the roster
“After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”
Terrell Burgess New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Isaac Yiadom to make the roster
“And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”
Isaac Yiadom New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Christian Miller to make the roster
“But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”
Christian Miller New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls8 waitingShow ▸

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”
Zach Wood New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Ryan Wright to be 1st on the depth chart
“Your punter is Ryan Wright... He's gonna be there.”
Ryan Wright New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Justin Reid to be 1st on the depth chart
“Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”
Justin Reid New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Julian Blackmon to be 1st on the depth chart
“Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”
Julian Blackmon New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
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.”
Charlie Smyth New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
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”
Quincy Riley New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
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”
Jonas Sanker New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
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.”
Kool-Aid McKinstry New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

Doug Joubert · Roster Spot Calls · Charlie Smyth · Hit 100
Joubert projects the Saints' 53-man roster ahead of the cutdown deadline, naming every player they expect to make the team by position group, plus several players they expect to receive PUP/IR designations, and predicting Torricelli Simpkins will later be moved to the practice squad.
Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · New Orleans Saints · Hit 95
Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
Grant Chachere · Score Predictions · New Orleans Saints · Close 69
Chachere picks the Saints to beat the Browns 24-10, arguing Cleveland's switch to Shedeur Sanders with Deshaun Watson out tilts the game toward New Orleans.
Chris Simms · Score Predictions · New Orleans Saints · Hit 93
Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said they wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.
Connor Rogers · Game Outcome Picks · New Orleans Saints · Hit 100
Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night.
Chris Long · Game Outcome Picks · New Orleans Saints · Hit 100
Previewing the Week 9 slate, Chris Long expects the Saints to beat Cleveland, the Colts to beat Dallas, New England to edge Green Bay, and Baltimore to beat the Chargers on Monday night. They also call the Packers a top-10 defense once Micah Parsons returns, names their top six quarterbacks of the season, and expects Brandon Ayuk to be released, with Will Lee and Trevion Henderson sidelined this week.

More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.
Parker Hurley · Roster Spot Calls · Khalid Kareem · Miss 0
Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut.
Jason Harmon · Roster Spot Calls · Max Brosmer · Miss 0
Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs.
Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.
Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.