Saints training camp: 5 underdogs to keep an eye on New Orleans Saints

training camp is back and in full swing. Well Womens Alvin Kamara Jersey , technically we’re in the early stages without pads, but with things kicking off on Thursday, it means we’re that much closer to black and gold football returning.It goes without saying that there’s a lot at stake for the vast majority of the 90-man roster right now. A good bit of last year’s players will be pushed with New Orleans getting better depth as a team. Here’s a few players to keep a close watch on as we roll through the next month and some change, as they are some underdogs to root for.Mitchell LoewenLoewen was turning heads in last year’s training camp, and was an early favorite of The Advocate’s Nick Underhill. Loewen was making plays in practice and was standing out some in the preseason, which in turn helped him make the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 2’s lost against the Patriots shelved Loewen for 2017.Reports from mid-June had Loewen back to full health, and it showed during minicamp. Loewen might get lost in the shuffle when looking over the team’s defensive line depth, but will likely be one of those who put his strong work ethic out on full display during practice. While he’s most notably become a hero in the city of New Orleans from saving a man that was trapped in a car that plunged from a CBD garage, he’s an easy one to root for.John FullingtonWithout Senio Kelemete, the Saints have a glaring need for their sixth offensive lineman. Could John Fullington become that guy? While Andrus Peat will undoubtedly be the team’s starting left guard, it’s worth noting that Fullington has been in with the first team. Now, before you’re ready to crown Fullington, understand that the Saints also could use Cameron Tom or rookies Will Clapp and Rick Leonard in that spot.However, Fullington has been around the organization since September 2016, and even got promoted to the team’s active roster at the end of the season last year. The former undrafted Washington State product could get his chance to shine and at worst-case become an important reserve/depth piece for the Saints.Trey EdmundsWhile we know the Saints will be without Mark Ingram for the first four games of the season, it leaves a lot of speculation as to who will help shoulder the running back load alongside Alvin Kamara. Jonathan Williams, rookie Boston Scott, and even veterans Shane Vereen and Terrance West are getting the main attention for playing time, but don’t forget about Trey Edmunds.Edmunds had plenty of moments during last year’s training camp and preseason, but it was ultimately the special teams play which got him onto the final roster. If he can continue shining there, then there’s little to no reason that he doesn’t make the team again and warrant conversation for being the team’s second or third option behind Kamara. That little run against the vaunted Buffalo Bills run defense was pretty nice last season.Austin CarrWith the Saints signing Cameron Meredith in the offseason and then drafting UCF’s Tre-Quan Smith in the third round Womens Josh LeRibeus Jersey , presumably there’s only one spot up for grabs in the receiving corps. Michael Thomas is the unquestioned No. 1 option for the Saints, while Ted Ginn Jr. looks to continue proving that age is only a number. Assuming Smith is the real deal, catches on, and makes the plays (Spoiler alert: He is already), then that could make it interesting if New Orleans rolls with just five wide receivers. Along with Austin Carr, Brandon Coleman (who starts training camp on the PUP list) and Tommylee Lewis lead the next tier of receivers vying for a roster spot. Of course, there are other guys on the roster looking to make their mark, and history has shown that the undrafted rookies have a spot on the Saints. Carr was originally claimed off waivers from the Patriots in early September of last season, and would remain on the team’s active roster throughout 2017, only being active in one regular season game. He also got the call for the playoff game we all would love to forget against the Vikings.Head Coach Sean Payton was quick to point out his route running, hands, ability to catch in traffic, and the fact the team tracked him from his Northwestern days when he was originally claimed. Perhaps we get to see more of what Payton preached about during training camp.Arthur MauletMaulet appeared in six games for the Saints in 2018 after being one of the players fans increasingly started rooting for during training camp. His New Orleans roots made it easy for people to get into his corner, and now he’s fighting for a spot on the team. Perhaps a blessing from Secondary Coach Aaron Glenn is a good sign for Maulet,Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley, and the reuniting with Patrick Robinson should be what the Saints roll with as their top cornerback depth, which in turn leaves Maulet to fight it out with P.J. Williams, Justin Hardee, De’Vante Harris, and rookies Natrell Jamerson, Kamrin Moore Womens Benjamin Watson Jersey , and Linden Stephens. It would appear Maulet has really good odds. Recent history would indicate that the NFC South is among the NFL's strongest divisions.Three of its four teams — New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina — made the playoffs last season. The Falcons are only two seasons removed from an overtime loss in the Super Bowl.Yet, in today's NFL, fortunes have been known to vacillate widely from one year to the next."Obviously, there is parity in our league," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "What I mean by that is, teams very quickly can improve themselves in the division. You see that each year."Payton has urged his players to take the approach that they are "starting from square one and it's an entirely different year."But it's tough to entirely drown out the expectations surrounding a club that won 11 of its last 14 regular-season games and beat the Panthers in the playoffs before nearly advancing to the NFC title game. Only an unlikely 61-yard touchdown pass play by the Vikings as time expired prevented the Saints from going to Philadelphia.Much of New Orleans' success stemmed from young players — namely running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the 2017 offensive and defensive rookie award winners. Many other key players— Pro Bowl receiver Michael Thomas, right guard Ryan Ramczyk, safeties Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams, defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata, cornerback Ken Crawley, and linebacker Alex Anzalone — have been in the NFL two or fewer years.That gave the Saints the luxury of approaching the past offseason with the mission of refining rather than overhauling."We probably feel like we have fewer holes," general manager Mickey Loomis said. "Overall, we've got a young team ... and I'm anxious to see how those guys develop and get better — and I think we feel good about that."Here are some other NFC South story lines in 2018:ELDER STATESMAN: For all of the Saints' promising youth, their most important player still might be their eldest: 39-year-old Drew Brees.There's little evidence of a drop-off yet. Last season he completed an NFL-record 72 percent of his passes and his eight interceptions were his lowest since throwing seven with the Chargers in 2004.But he might have to throw more this season than last — at least early on. Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram is suspended the first four games for use of a banned substance.The good news for New Orleans is the entire offensive line is intact after strong showings in both the running and passing games in 2017."If they're playing well, then you're able to open up the offense in a way that makes us very dangerous," Brees said. "This group is one of the best we've had."Brees also has two of his top receivers back in Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr., along with two promising new targets in free-agent acquisition Cameron Meredith and rookie Tre'Quan Smith.STAR TREATMENT: The Falcons have taken measures to make sure two key playmakers, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman, are healthy to start the season. Neither played in a preseason game.Jones said he was focused on his health when he missed mandatory minicamp. He had minor surgery on his left foot after the 2016 season and had two ankle injuries, plus injuries to his back Youth Cameron Jordan Jersey , ribs, thumb and knee last season. Even so, he had 88 catches for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns.Last year, Freeman had two concussions and was slowed by a knee problem.The Falcons led the NFL in scoring in their 2016 Super Bowl season but fell back to the middle of the pack last year.Quarterback Matt Ryan doesn't sound worried whether Jones or Freeman will be in form when it counts"Not with those two," Ryan said. "They both have played so much football and they both practice so much that I don't really see them missing a beat."ANOTHER GEAR: The Panthers sought to get faster in the offseason to compete with the Saints, who beat them three times last season, including in the wild-card round. They've added speed at wide receiver, trading for Torrey Smith, signing free agent Jarius Wright and drafting D.J. Moore from Maryland in the first round. Coach Ron Rivera is also hoping 2017 second-round pick Curtis Samuel can stay healthy, unlike last season. Those receivers and versatile running back Christian McCaffrey could give QB Cam Newton a lot of reasons not to run himself.Carolina also went in the Saints' backyard to get help on defense, drafting LSU cornerback Donte Jackson — considered one of the fastest players in college a year ago — in the second round.TAKING ON WATER: The Bucs lost 10 of 13 following a 2-1 start a year ago, missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. Their chances of escaping the division cellar and ending the long drought will be impacted by how they play without QB Jameis Winston, who'll miss the first three games while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.After opening on the road at New Orleans, home games follow against defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. An 0-3 start could be difficult to overcome, even if Winston plays well when he returns.PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers.AP Sports Writers Fred Goodall, Charles Odum, Steve Reed contributed to this report.