For each of the last two years, the New Orleans Saints have had the oldest roster in football by snap-adjusted age — meaning the players who spent the most time on the field.
That is not likely to change this season. Five of the Saints’ most important players — Demario Davis (35), Cam Jordan (34), Taysom Hill (33), Derek Carr (33) and Tyrann Mathieu (32) — are in their early-to-mid 30s and combined to play more than 4,300 snaps last season, an average of about 870 each.
While those players have, for the most part, remained highly productive late into their careers, the Saints would clearly stand to benefit from some of the younger players on their roster either developing into impact-makers.
Who could represent the next wave of Saints talent? Start with these six players, all of whom are 25 years or younger and on an affordable contract.
RB Kendre Miller
Age: 22
Under contract through 2026
Yes, Miller is coming off a disappointing rookie season, during which he tallied only 273 yards from scrimmage while missing nine games because of injury. But the arrow is still pointing up for the 2023 third-round pick, who turned 22 years old last month. In fact, Miller could be one of the primary beneficiaries of the Saints’ new offensive scheme.
When he’s healthy, Miller may be one of the Saints’ most explosive offensive players. He rarely got an opportunity to show that last season — because of his injuries, but also because the Saints offensive line struggled to create running lanes. Consider this: More than half of Miller’s rushing yardage last year came after contact.
He got an opportunity to show what he was capable of in the final game of the 2023 season, when he rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries in a blowout win against the Atlanta Falcons. It’s not hard to imagine that being closer to the norm in Year 2.
Miller has a bit of a logjam in front of him. Though Alvin Kamara is engaged in a contract dispute, he is still the team’s clear No. 1. And Jamaal Williams operated most of this summer as the No. 2. But if Miller can show he’s a fit for this offense, he could be in line for a big season.
WR Rashid Shaheed
Age: 25
Under contract through 2024
In a lot of ways, Shaheed has already broken out. He earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades last year for his ability as a return man, and he tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions (5) while ranking second in receiving (719 yards).
He figures to play an even larger role in the return game this year, with the advent of new NFL kickoff rules that were put in place to encourage returns. But this is less about Shaheed in the special teams sense than it is about whether he can truly lock down the team’s No. 2 receiver role.
Shaheed was a boom-or-bust player in his second year, which is to be expected for a former undrafted player in his second season. But after the Saints released Michael Thomas in March, they are counting on Shaheed to produce in a bigger, more consistent way.
He already has an established reputation as a dangerous vertical threat, and considering his successes on those plays, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will likely continue using Shaheed in that way. But if the Saints can also get him more involved in the short and intermediate passing game and let Shaheed’s speed work for him after the catch, it’s not hard to envision a truly big year for the third-year wideout.
One other quick note about Shaheed: He will be a candidate to sign a new deal after the 2024 season, when he is set to become a restricted free agent.
OG Nick Saldiveri
Age: 23
Under contract through 2026
The offensive tackles have received a lot of attention this offseason, and rightfully so, but don’t forget about the second-year player who could be in line to earn a starting role on the interior.
Saldiveri rarely saw the field as a rookie after the Saints selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He played only 18 offensive snaps, with the overwhelming majority of those coming as a mid-game injury replacement against the Houston Texans.
But after last year’s starting left guard, James Hurst, announced his retirement in April, the Saints appear willing to give Saldiveri the first crack at winning the starting job.
It would be a massive win for the Saints if Saldiveri is able to hold down the job and play at a high level. He turns 24 in August and is under team control for the next three seasons.
DE Isaiah Foskey
Age: 23
Under contract through 2026
The Saints consistently struggled to generate a pass rush last season — their 34 sacks were their lowest team total, by a healthy margin, since 2016. Even so, second-round pick Isaiah Foskey was never considered part of the solution.
Though he was a highly productive pass rusher at Notre Dame, recording 11 sacks in each of his final two years there, Foskey was a non-factor in his first season in New Orleans. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated three hurries and no quarterback hits in 50 pass-rush snaps.
New Orleans has been clear about what it wants out of Foskey this offseason. Coach Dennis Allen said he wants Foskey to play more loose and aggressive and to worry later about correcting mistakes.
Foskey won’t be a starter in 2024, so a breakout season for him is defined differently than with some of the other players on the roster. The Saints have Cam Jordan, Chase Young and Carl Granderson ahead of him, and Foskey also has to compete with 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner for snaps.
But if he can crack the rotation by tapping into the potential that made the Saints select him in the second round, he could provide a big boost to a pass rush that sorely needs it.
DT Bryan Bresee
Age: 22
Under contract through 2026 (club option for 2027)
Bresee clearly has the skill to be a top-notch disrupting defensive tackle in the NFL after recording 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in his rookie season — not counting two sacks that were stripped away by penalty.
The hope is that Bresee can add some depth to his game in Year 2. While he has undeniable talent as a pass-rusher, he has a lot of room to grow as a run defender. If Bresee can show improvement in that area, he may see a lot more of the field, giving himself more opportunity to get after the quarterback.
SCB Alontae Taylor
Age: 25
Under contract through 2025
After Paulson Adebo beat him out for the starting outside corner job last training camp, the Saints wanted to make sure Taylor still saw the field. They released veteran slot corner Bradley Roby on cutdown day, clearing the path for Taylor to take over the starting nickel corner role.
The transition inside wasn’t entirely smooth for Taylor, who was essentially learning a new and difficult position on the fly. But he not only gained experience last year, he also has been able to focus on his new position this entire offseason.
The Saints’ secondary is already considered a strength, but an improved version of Taylor on the inside could make that unit one of the NFL’s overall best.