These 46 New Orleans Saints players are locks for the 53-man roster

These 46 New Orleans Saints players are locks for the 53-man roster.

Key points

• Having 46, maybe 47 spots locked in means there's still a half-dozen or so vacancies up for grabs.
• It sure looks like Daniel Carlson has won the kicking competition but we aren't out of the woods yet.
• Dread it, run from it; the NFL roster cuts deadline is almost here.
• Some guys could unexpectedly land on injured reserve for the first four games (or longer).

Dread it, run from it; the NFL roster cuts deadline is almost here. By 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30, all 32 teams will have reduced their rosters from 90 players to just 53. Dozens of guys are regarding to lose their jobs. It's a tough business.

But some decisions are easier than others. Sure, a trade can always throw things sideways. Some guys could unexpectedly land on injured reserve for the first four games (or longer). If we're just talking regarding skill and value on the depth chart, here are the 46 players who are stone-cold locks to produce the 53-man roster this weekend.

Meanwhile, a couple of guys should additionally be seen as safe picks to round out the initial 53-man roster; veterans like safety Terrell Burgess and defensive lineman John Ridgeway III, or backup quarterback Zach Wilson. It sure looks like Daniel Carlson has won the kicking competition but we aren't out of the woods yet. Of the players managing injuries, the likeliest to start the season on IR could be wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) and defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf), both rookie draft picks. They would both create the team if healthy.

Having 46, maybe 47 spots locked in means there's still a half-dozen or so vacancies up for grabs. Let's see how it plays out as trade rumors, free agent visits, and waiver claims commence to pick up.

In short, these 46 New Orleans Saints players are locks for the 53 is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.