Saints Release First Depth Chart for 2016 Season

The Saints have released their first unofficial depth chart of 2016.

Wednesday evening, following a dizzying day of roster and contract moves, Saints beat reporter from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Josh Katzenstein, released a link to the first unofficial depth chart for the Black and Gold’s upcoming 2016 campaign via his Twitter page.

Of note on this roster: newly signed Jahri Evans is listed as the starting right guard with Tim Lelito backing him up. Also, freshly inked DE Paul Kruger currently occupying the jersey number 99 worn by rookie Sheldon Rankins who is on short term IR, is listed starting opposite Cameron Jordan.

Maybe most surprising is that rookie WR Michael Thomas is slated to start alongside Brandin Cooks, leaving Willie Snead as the third receiver.

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Also of interest is that there is no one listed as backup at either tackle position though Andrus Peat would likely be pulled into the slot if needed and Lelito would replace him at LG. Guard and tackle remain high on the list of priority positions to be filled as soon as possible.

Of course all of this could change quickly now that the Saints have some salary cap money freed up with the new Drew Brees deal. But in the meantime, here’s the depth chart as it stands:

OFFENSE

WR 10 Brandin Cooks 83 Willie Snead IV 87 Tommylee Lewis (R)

LT 72 Terron Armstead

LG 75 Andrus Peat 68 Tim Lelito

C 60 Max Unger

RG 73 Jahri Evans 65 Senio Kelemete 78 Landon Turner (R)

RT 64 Zach Strief

TE 82 Coby Fleener 85 Josh Hill 86 Chris Manhertz

WR 13 Michael Thomas (R) 16 Brandon Coleman

QB 9 Drew Brees 7 Luke McCown

RB 22 Mark Ingram 34 Tim Hightower 28 C.J. Spiller

38 Travaris Cadet 36 Daniel Lasco (R)

23 Marcus Murphy

FB 29 John Kuhn

DEFENSE

DE 99 Paul Kruger 91 Kasim Edebali 58 Obum Gwachum

DT 95 Tyeler Davison 92 John Jenkins

DT 90 Nick Fairley 93 David Onyemata (R)

DE 94 Cameron Jordan 55 Darryl Tapp

WILL 59 Dannell Ellerbe 52 Craig Robertson

MLB 53 James Laurinaitis 56 Michael Mauti

SAM 50 Stephone Anthony 54 Nate Stupar

CB 40 Delvin Breaux 46 Ken Crawley (R)

SS 32 Kenny Vaccaro 41 Roman Harper

FS 31 Jairus Byrd 48 Vonn Bell (R) 30 Erik Harris

CB 25 P.J. Williams 49 De’Vante Harris (R) 37 Sterling Moore

SPECIAL TEAMS

P 6 Thomas Morstead

K/KO 3 Will Lutz (R)

LS 47 Justin Drescher

H 6 Thomas Morstead

PR 23 Marcus Murphy 87 Tommylee Lewis (R) 31 Jairus Byrd

KR 23 Marcus Murphy 28 C.J. Spiller 38 Travaris Cadet