Things are not going well for the New Orleans Saints. They lost their last three games, and now sit at 2-3. Typically, when things aren’t going well in the NFL, changes have to be made. The league recently saw that with the 2-3 New York Jets firing head coach Robert Saleh.
New Orleans may not be ready to fire Dennis Allen, but the team could be on the verge of some other changes. Based on how the team has looked in the last three outings, the Saints could decide to shake up the depth chart. Here are three players in danger of losing their starting spots.
3. Nathan Shepherd could lose his starting spot for the Saints
Nathan Shepherd is in his second season with New Orleans, and seventh in the league. Since joining the Saints, he has started all 22 games that he’s played in. He’s been a solid contributor, but the play of New Orleans’ other defensive tackles could bump him out of the starting lineup.
Bryan Bresee is putting together an impressive year two, already recording eight tackles, four for a loss, and four sacks on the season. Also, Khalen Saunders is back from injury and is coming off a huge game against his former team, recording seven tackles and an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs.
If both defensive tackles keep moving in the right direction, Shepherd could be the odd man out.
2. Mason Tipton could lose his starting spot for the Saints
Mason Tipton has been an enigma for New Orleans this offseason. An undrafted free agent out of Yale, he missed the majority of training camp with an injury, and still made the 53-man roster. Now, he’s the team’s WR3, and received as many targets as Chris Olave in Week 5.
Unfortunately, he only had one reception for two yards, and a crucial drop late in the game. He has yet to show the world what the coaching staff sees in him, and it’s fair to ask how long his opportunity will last.
Working in his favor is the fact that New Orleans doesn’t have any other reliable receivers outside of Olave and Rashid Shaheed. If New Orleans can somehow pull off a trade for Davante Adams, Tipton will surely be out of the starting lineup.
1. Paulson Adebo could lose his starting spot for the Saints
Paulson Adebo had somewhat of a breakout season last year, and everyone expected him to build on that this season, especially since it’s a contract year for him. Unfortunately, the opposite has happened. Adebo is currently in a slump, and a lot of fans are calling for him to be benched.
He has seven penalties on the year, and considering his position as a corner, many of them have been extremely costly. When he is playing legal defense, he has been targeted. He entered Week 5 with 27 completions allowed for 379 yards and one touchdown.
The Saints have a talented rookie corner in Kool-Aid McKinstry, who they selected in the second round of the 2024 Draft. Many fans think it’s time for his number to be called, and New Orleans may have to agree if Adebo continues to struggle.
