# Ross Jackson: 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. **Claimed:** Jul 1, 2026 **Pundit:** Ross Jackson — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ross-jackson **Outlet:** Locked On Saints (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/locked-on-saints-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/83ac39/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/26a658f6-15f1-4878-ab5f-d78d7d886aa9/episodes/4472bfdc-f3e2-4800-8535-010fb2901d77/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=26a658f6-15f1-4878-ab5f-d78d7d886aa9&awEpisodeId=4472bfdc-f3e2-4800-8535-010fb2901d77&feed=aKgoC4uX 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. > So I have the scenes keeping five safeties, and this is a really strong safety room. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Charlie Smyth to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Charlie Smyth, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jaylan Ford to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jaylan Ford, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jackson Sirmon to land on the practice squad** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jackson Sirmon, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Carl Granderson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Tyree Wilson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tyree Wilson, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jayden Price to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jayden Price, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Kaden Elliss to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kaden Elliss, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Davon Godchaux to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Davon Godchaux, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Justin Reid to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Anfernee Jennings to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Anfernee Jennings, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Chris Rumph II to be cut** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Chris Rumph II, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Pete Werner to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Pete Werner, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Vernon Broughton to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Vernon Broughton, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Martin Emerson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Martin Emerson, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Danny Stutsman to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Danny Stutsman, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Chase Young to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Chase Young, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Cameron Jordan to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jordan Howden to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jordan Howden, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Isaiah Stalbird to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Isaiah Stalbird, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Zach Wood to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Zach Wood, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Michael Heldman to land on the practice squad** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Michael Heldman, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ryan Wright to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Ryan Wright, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Justin Reid to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Bryan Bresee to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Bryan Bresee, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Terrell Burgess to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Terrell Burgess, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Julian Blackmon to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Julian Blackmon, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaac Yiadom to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Isaac Yiadom, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Charlie Smyth to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Charlie Smyth, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Christian Miller to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Christian Miller, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Quincy Riley to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Quincy Riley, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jonas Sanker to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jonas Sanker, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kool-Aid McKinstry to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Charlie Smyth — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/charlie-smyth - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - Jaylan Ford — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylan-ford - Jackson Sirmon — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jackson-sirmon - Carl Granderson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carl-granderson - Tyree Wilson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyree-wilson - Jayden Price — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jayden-price - Kaden Elliss — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kaden-elliss - Davon Godchaux — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/davon-godchaux - Justin Reid — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-reid - Anfernee Jennings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/anfernee-jennings - Chris Rumph II — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chris-rumph-ii - Pete Werner — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/pete-werner - Vernon Broughton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/vernon-broughton - Martin Emerson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/martin-emerson - Danny Stutsman — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/danny-stutsman - Chase Young — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chase-young - Cameron Jordan — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cameron-jordan - Jordan Howden — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jordan-howden - Isaiah Stalbird — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaiah-stalbird - Zach Wood — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zach-wood - Michael Heldman — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/michael-heldman - Ryan Wright — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ryan-wright - Bryan Bresee — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bryan-bresee - Terrell Burgess — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/terrell-burgess - Julian Blackmon — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/julian-blackmon - Isaac Yiadom — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaac-yiadom - Christian Miller — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/christian-miller - Quincy Riley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quincy-riley - Jonas Sanker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonas-sanker - Kool-Aid McKinstry — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kool-aid-mckinstry ## What others said about the same people - Doug Joubert on Charlie Smyth: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/80c9bcdf-68ec-49a5-a1d1-e59f4bee2653 (scored 100) - Pete Prisco on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dc43909b-bc7f-47aa-b208-5cf7c95844bc (scored 95.24) - Grant Chachere on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2c694760-ef96-4645-9ef4-c00bae62de32 (scored 69.05) - Chris Simms on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/17eb747a-90b1-472f-bb6d-e71c0c69133a (scored 92.86) - Connor Rogers on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/11646f69-18dd-4831-a7de-e4115ded875c (scored 100) - Chris Long on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/623f8e00-789e-4239-9edc-5e1285346b9d (scored 100) ## More roster spot calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d4fd8cfb-3c75-4209-9e1a-d60e821f315b (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=ross-jackson