NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

• Jenna Laine of ESPN reports that WR Jaydon Mickens has made the Buccaneers roster as their kick returner. The team liked his experience and speed, which drew praise from HC Bruce Arians who said that Mickens got better each week.
• Laine hears that CB Mazzi Wilkins will likely be back on the Buccaneers’ practice squad.
• Laine reports that UDFA CB Parnell Motley has been informed that he made the 53-man roster.
• Buccaneers G Zack Bailey has a good chance to join the practice squad if he clears waivers. (Greg Auman)
• The Buccaneers have told DL Jeremiah Ledbetter that he’s being waived but could return to the practice squad if he clears waivers. (Auman)
• Buccaneers’ rookie DT Khalil Davis, a sixth-round pick, has also been told he’s made the 53-man roster. (Auman)

Falcons

“I’m glad they had that vision [in how they wanted to feature me] because I was kind of unsure of myself,” Cominsky said. “I’m glad that they saw that in me early because I had a whole year to experience playing inside. I do like it because now I’m flourishing on the inside and outside. They didn’t limit me to just the inside or the outside. I have versatility as a player and I can fill in whenever and wherever.”

• Falcons’ G James Carpenter will likely be the Week 1 starter at left guard if G Matt Hennessy is not back running full speed due to a minor injury. (Vaughn McClure)
• Falcons’ LT Jake Matthews says Hennessy can bring a lot to the offensive line: “He’s got a ton of talent.” (McClure)
• Matthews also had positive things to say about playing with new addition, RB Todd Gurley: “I think he’s going to do a lot of really special things this year.” (Jason Butt)
• Falcons’ FB Keith Smith is happy to be playing with Gurley: “Todd’s energy is infectious. I’m excited about what he’s bringing to the table.” (Butt)

• Falcons DL John Cominsky is targeting a weight between 285 and 290 pounds to be able to play both defensive end and tackle this year. (Kelsey Conway)

Saints

• ESPN’s Mike Triplett says wide receiver is the hardest position to cut down on New Orleans’ roster. He has Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris and Bennie Fowler taking the final three out of five spots, leaving Austin Carr, Emmanuel Butler, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Marquez Callaway and Juwan Johnson on the outside of the bubble. 
• Because the Saints traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to keep QB/TE Tommy Stevens away from the Panthers, Triplett expects them to keep him on the final roster. 
• Triplett projects OL Cameron Tom and UDFA Calvin Throckmorton being edged off the roster at offensive line. 
• Triplett also thinks the Saints depth on the defensive line will push Margus Hunt off the roster. 
• At linebacker, Triplett thinks the Saints could go with just five given how much nickel they play, which would leave Anthony Chickillo, Joe Bachie and Chase Hansen as cuts. 
• The Saints have around $7 million in cap space now, which will dwindle to around $3.5 million once the regular season arrives.
• Jason Fitzgerald mentions that New Orleans has the ability to save space by maxing out void years, earning them $5.5 million for LB Demario Davis, $3.2 million for TE Jared Cook, $2.5 million for DT Malcom Brown, and $2.7 million for C Nick Easton.