4 New Orleans Saints players with the most to gain against Rams

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4 New Orleans Saints players with the most to gain against Rams

4 New Orleans Saints players with the most to gain against Rams

Dylan Sanders, Saints Wire · Saints Wire

Sat, Aug 22, 2026 ·

2 min read

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The New Orleans Saints lost a heartbreaker against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason and will now take on the Los Angeles Rams in their second matchup on Saturday.

This roster is in an interesting spot as it is still considered to be in the "rebuilding" phase by many outside of the market, but there are very few roles on this team that aren't already really accounted for. Still, some depth spots are waiting on players to put their stamp on the game to be claimed.

Here's a look at the Saints players who have the most to gain against the Rams this weekend:

QB Zach Wilson

New Orleans already has their starting passer for next season locked and loaded in Tyler Shough . Now, they need to figure out who is going to be the backup. The early favorite was Spencer Rattler , given his history with this team. He struggled in the first game, while Wilson was much more solid. If Wilson comes out guns blazing again, then he could start to put some distance in that competition.

WR Bub Means

One of the best things that Wilson currently has going for him is his relationship with Means. The two have had chemistry all camp, and that has bled into the game. These players simply work together, and it has been fun to see. Means was the top receiver in the first game. The former fifth-round selection is progressing well early in his career. The next step would be to make this year's Opening Day roster.

RB Devin Neal

With both Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara likely out again in this one, the running back room stays wide open. Neal is coming off a rookie campaign that saw him post 206 yards and two touchdowns across 57 carries. Given that he is a younger player, he might get a bit of an edge. He already missed the first game, though, so he'll have some catching up to do.

DE Michael Heldman

Heldman has made a lot of nosie this camp, and then he could not stop making plays against the Jaguars. The Central Michigan product produced four pressures in just 11 opportunities, per Pro Football Focus . He is an incredible athlete who could have very well been drafted, but poor production in college led to him falling unselected. If New Orleans are the ones who figure him out, they could have a massive steal on their hands.