New Orleans

Saints

Rattler got all of the reps with Jake Haener away from the team until Wednesday while addressing an issue related to his skin cancer. Mike Triplett of New Orleans football reports that Rattler performed well, and the 2024 fifth-round pick has gotten positive reviews since the start of camp. It’s worth noting that the 23-year-old was a highly-regarded prospect coming into college who flashed brilliance at Oklahoma and South Carolina, and while Haener has a chance to win the job and stick as a backup, Rattler has significantly more upside in his right arm.

Initial reports indicated Shaheed would return to practice on Sunday after a precautionary rest day on Saturday. His unexpected Sunday absence makes this a situation to monitor moving forward as Shaheed is expected to assume the Saints’ No. 2 WR role this year. Shaheed dazzled as a 2023 first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl returner. He efficiently averaged 1.95 yards per route run on offense through his first two NFL seasons.

While the Saints continue to expand Hill’s package, Fowler said, “It could look slightly different than in previous years.” The offensive weapon could reportedly play “up to five positions” this season, as coaches “believe he has more to give” heading into his eighth season as a pro. Fantasy managers who can deploy Hill as a tight end on their roster could have a nice edge at the position if things play out well for him this season. Last year, Hill totaled 692 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns while catching 33 passes. He had career-highs in both receptions and receiving yards (291) and finished as the TE15 in fantasy points per game in PPR leagues. He’s a low-risk, high-reward player who remains an interesting stash in fantasy leagues.

The report comes from NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Haener is currently competing with fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler for the backup quarterback role, and while Derek Carr likely remains the starter through 2024, the team can save $30 million in 2025 cap money with a post-June 1, 2025 release. Establishing the preferred backup quarterback this preseason is no doubt important for the team’s long-term plans.

According to Saints head coach Dennis Allen, Young was apparently cleared for full participation on July 22. Allen said Young will “ramp up more” in the coming days and that he’s done everything that the training staff has asked of him. Young signed a one-year deal with the Saints this offseason after splitting 2023 between the Commanders and the 49ers. It was revealed shortly after he signed with the Saints that he would need to undergo a surgical procedure on his neck, which left him sidelined for much of the offseason. The former No. 2 overall pick is hoping to return to the form that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. Young totaled 7.5 sacks and seven TFLs last season and should have a solid role as a pass rusher for the Saints this season.

This seems to confirm reports that Hill could stand to see his package role grow further heading into the new season after serving as a multifaceted and dynamic player in various packages over the previous three seasons in New Orleans. We are likely to see more of the same usage in the backfield while he lines up under center or as a back in addition to both slot work, inline work, and wide work as a pass-catcher. Weekly volume is likely to change dependent on the matchup, leaving Hill better served as a best ball target as compared to a redraft or season-long contributor. Even so, current ADP suggests there could be significant weekly upside at a modest price on sites where he maintains a tight end designation.

The injury was initially believed to be a back issue and was later specified as a shoulder injury. He was placed on the NFI list ahead of camp. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Olave was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. The fact that he was a full-go so quickly suggests the shoulder injury was extremely minor. As the clear WR1 for the Saints, Olave is in a great position to post a true breakout season this year. The third-year wideout has 159 career receptions for 2,165 yards but is still looking for his first 1,200-yard season. He currently goes off the board as a low-end WR1 in Best Ball drafts.

Miller left Wednesday’s practice early with a hamstring issue. Allen would go on to say, “It’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.” Allen has been critical of Miller in the past, saying earlier in the offseason that he wants to see more consistency from the young back. Miller missed the start of his rookie season with a hamstring issue and was later sidelined with an ankle injury. His current injury will give Jamaal Williams a chance to cement himself as the backup to Alvin Kamara. Williams posted a dreadful 106/306/1 rushing line in 2023.

Kamara left minicamp due to contract issues, but now reports to training camp, presumably to avoid fines. Head coach Dennis Allen said Kamara is healthy and expects him to participate in camp. The running back turns 29 in July and has two seasons left on his contract, but with little guaranteed money left. Kamara is due $18.5 million in 2024, still making him one of the top earners at the position. The Saints have been up against the cap the last few years and releasing Kamara would save them money. There is no indicator that the two sides are close to a re-worked deal, with Kamara likely wanting more years and/or more guaranteed money.

The deal places Shaheed under team control through the 2025 season after he was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent prior to the 2024 season. Shaheed entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and played his way into a more robust role in his second professional season in 2023, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections in the process. With Michael Thomas no longer with the team and a relative lack of depth behind Chris Olave at wide receiver, Shaheed should have every opportunity to improve upon a diminutive 46.0 percent snap share and 77.9 percent route participation rate from a season ago.