Spencer Rattler closed preseason with late drama as New Orleans tied Jacksonville 17-17, sneaking in a 20-yard TD to Dante Pettis with 21 seconds left and scrambling for the two-point. Rattler finished 18-of-24 for 199 yards with a TD and an INT. Tyler Shough flashed in the first half, 9-of-12 for 66 yards with no turnovers, signaling continued competition for the Week 1 job in Moore’s new offense. Rattler’s edge came with the evaluation moments Moore emphasized, giving him another look late in the game.

Mason Tipton piled up 100 receiving yards on six catches for the Saints, a reminder of depth at receiver and the potential for punt-returning plays to surface later. On the Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence moved the drive with 76 passing yards on 8-of-10, while Nick Mullens posted 112 passing yards after Lawrence’s second-quarter exit. Jacksonville mixed in Cam Little’s 53-yard field goal at halftime and Blake Grupe’s 51-yard kick for New Orleans, with Sanker returning a key 40-yard interception to set the final sequence.

The Saints’ battle for Week 1 starts now against Denver, while Jacksonville heads to Miami for another preseason showcase as Kellen Moore continues to evaluate a new offense and roster pieces. The marquee storyline remains Rattler vs Shough, with Pettis and Tipton providing real fantasy-relevant targets if the Saints lean into this QB competition in early regular-season games.

The New Orleans Saints have recently waived defensive tackle Camron Peterson, who was signed during the 2024 offseason. Peterson, a Southern University alumnus, had a quiet tenure with the Saints, unable to make a significant impact on the field. Throughout the 2025 season, he spent time on injured reserve and played only 26 snaps during the preseason, contributing just one tackle.

With a crowded defensive line, the chances of Peterson earning playing time were slim. The Saints continue to make moves this offseason, solidifying their roster through both acquisitions and releases, including the recent deal for wide receiver Dante Pettis.

The New Orleans Saints' offseason has drawn significant criticism, with debates looming over their free agency strategies. The franchise's decision to retain players rather than overhaul the roster has split opinions among fans. Most notably, retaining Chase Young at a reasonable $17 million per year is seen as a prudent move, given his potential for a breakout season. However, the retention of Juwan Johnson and Dante Pettis lacks clarity despite their decent performances.

Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab awarded the Saints an 'F' for their offseason maneuvers, an assessment that many find harsh. While the team has made some necessary adjustments, including adding safety Justin Reid and bolstering their defensive line, concerns linger about salary cap management. Despite the bleak grade, the Saints still have considerable cap space to enhance their roster should they choose to pursue more impactful signings.

The New Orleans Saints have signed Velus Jones Jr., a former Chicago Bears draft pick, adding another intriguing option to their roster. At 27, Jones has faced challenges in his career but showed promise during his college days at USC and Tennessee. He transitioned to a running back role last season, though his stats highlight more rushing yards than receiving ones, indicating a potential niche as a utility player.

Known primarily as a return specialist, Jones boasts a kick return average of 26.5 yards but has struggled with ball security, having muffed three returns. His signing could mean a shift in kickoff return responsibilities, especially with potential workload adjustments for Rashid Shaheed. Jones will compete with Dante Pettis for return duties, making this an essential development for fantasy managers tracking special teams contributions.