Roster bubble life in the NFL is brutal. One day you’re signing a futures contract with a legendary franchise like the New Orleans Saints, and the next, you’re looking for a flight home. That’s exactly what happened when the Saints cut Ryder Anderson on April 29, 2025. Honestly, it wasn't a huge shock to those of us who track the bottom of the roster, but it still signals a shift in how New Orleans is building their defensive front.
The move happened right after the 2025 NFL Draft. Teams always use that post-draft window to trim the "fat"—which is a mean way of saying they cut players who were essentially placeholders for incoming rookies. Anderson, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive end out of Indiana, found himself on the wrong side of the numbers game. He had only been in the building since November 2024, when he joined the practice squad after a stint with the Giants.
Why the Saints Cut Ryder Anderson Now
Timing is everything. New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis and the coaching staff didn't just wake up and decide Anderson wasn't good enough. It was a calculated move to make room for the fresh crop of talent coming through the draft and undrafted free agency.
Basically, the Saints decided to prioritize younger, cheaper upside over a "known quantity" who hadn't made a major impact. Anderson’s NFL journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He originally landed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He actually played in seven games there, showing some real flashes with two sacks and eight tackles. But then the injuries started piling up. A triceps injury sidelined him in 2023, and a nagging hamstring issue derailed his 2024 preseason.
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By the time he got to New Orleans, he was playing catch-up.
The Defensive End Logjam
Look at the depth chart from the 2025 offseason. You've got Cameron Jordan—the absolute anchor—and Carl Granderson, who has become a beast in his own right. Then you add Chase Young into the mix. Where does a guy like Ryder Anderson fit?
He doesn't.
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New Orleans operates a very specific defensive scheme that demands high-motor versatility. While Anderson has the frame of a prototypical end, he lacked the explosive "twitch" that the Saints were looking for in their rotational pass rushers. When the team moved on from him alongside quarterback Ben DiNucci, it was a clear signal: the veteran-fringe experiment was over.
What’s Next for Ryder Anderson?
Is his career over? Probably not.
Guys with his size and previous tape of 2.0 NFL sacks usually get another look. He’s already worked out for teams like the Arizona Cardinals in the past. He's only 27. In NFL years, that's the prime for a defensive lineman if he can just stay healthy.
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The reality of the league is that about 30% of the roster is in a constant state of flux. Anderson is currently in that "waiting for the phone to ring" phase that defines the life of an NFL journeyman.
Lessons from the Roster Move
- Availability is the best ability. Anderson’s history with hamstring and triceps issues made it hard for the Saints to rely on him for a full 17-game season.
- Draft capital wins. When a team drafts a defensive lineman in the middle rounds, they are almost guaranteed a roster spot over a practice squad veteran.
- The "Futures" contract trap. Signing a reserve/future deal, as Anderson did in January 2025, is a ticket to training camp—not a guaranteed roster spot.
If you’re a fan or a scout watching his next move, keep an eye on teams that run a 3-4 defense where he can play a 5-technique. His length is his best asset. But for the New Orleans Saints, the page has officially turned. They are betting on their new draft picks to provide the pressure that Anderson couldn't quite deliver during his short stay in the Big Easy.
Actionable Insight: If you are tracking NFL roster movements, keep an eye on the "post-June 1" cuts. This is the next window where veterans like Anderson often find new homes as teams realize their rookies aren't quite ready for the big stage.