Saints Cut 34 Players, Finalize 53-Man Roster

August 29, 2023

The New Orleans Saints announced they waived or released 34 players to finalize their 53-man roster.

#Saints announce roster moves: https://t.co/ZUGLA5RZr3

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 29, 2023

The full list of cuts includes:

LB Ryan Connelly
TE J.P. Holtz
TE Jesse James
T Storm Norton
CB Bradley Roby
LB Jaylon Smith
LB Ty Summers
RB Darrel Williams
S Johnathan Abram
LB Nick Anderson
WR Kawaan Baker
FB Jake Bargas
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
DL Jerron Cage
WR Shaq Davis
DT Prince Emili
OL Mark Evans II
G Chuck Filiaga
DB Adrian Frye
P Blake Gillikin
DT Jack Heflin
DB Anthony Johnson
OL Lewis Kidd
WR Jontrae Kirklin
G Tommy Kraemer
TE Lucas Krull
DE Niko Lalos
RB Ellis Merriweather
S Smoke Monday
LB Anthony Orji
DE Kyle Phillips
OL Alex Pihlstrom
DB Troy Pride
OL Calvin Throckmorton

Smith, 28, was a second-round pick by the Cowboys out of Notre Dame in the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $6,494,970 rookie contract.

Smith was headed into his fourth season when he signed a five-year, $64 million extension in 2019. The Cowboys made the decision to release Smith during the 2021 season and he signed on with the Packers.

Green Bay cut Smith after about a month and he caught on with the Giants on the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster later in the season. The Giants brought Smith back to their practice squad the following season in September and he was again promoted to the active roster.

In 2022, Smith appeared in 13 games for the Giants, recording 88 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.