New Orleans Saints release first unofficial depth chart

In anticipation for the first preseason game against the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints have released their first UNOFFICIAL team depth chart.

Here’s the team’s depth chart, and any players italicized are on the PUP/NFI list. It’s worth noting that you can’t read too much into this, but can’t help notice some players are higher on the chart than others.

OFFENSE

Wide Receiver: Brandon Coleman, Michael Thomas, Hakeem Nicks, R.J. Harris, Jared Dangerfield, Jordan Williams-Lambert

Left Tackle: Andrus Peat, Tony Hills, Joseph Cheek, Terron Armstead

Left Guard: Senio Kelemete, Kaleb Eulls, Landon Turner

Center: Max Unger, Jack Allen, Marcus Henry

Right Guard: Tim Lelito, Cyril Lemon, Jordan Walsh

Right Tackle: Zach Strief, Andrus Peat, Tyrus Thompson, John Fullington, Avery Young

Tight End: Coby Fleener, Josh Hill, Michael Hoomanawanui, RaShaun Allen, Chris Manhertz, Garrett Griffin

Wide Receiver: Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Tommylee Lewis, Reggie Bell, Jake Lampman

Quarterback: Drew Brees, Luke McCown, Garrett Grayson

Running Back: Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower, C.J. Spiller, Marcus Murphy, Travaris Cadet, Daniel Lasco

Fullback: John Kuhn, Sione Houma, Austin Johnson

• Brandon Coleman is listed as the starting wide receiver opposite of Brandin Cooks.
• Andrus Peat is the team’s starting left tackle while Terron Armstead recovers.
• Senio Kelemete put as the starting left guard, while Tim Lelito is the starting right guard (where Peat would likely fall).
• Tim Hightower is listed as Mark Ingram‘s primary backup, which isn’t a shock. C.J. Spiller has been No. 3 for a while, and is a totally different running back from the others.
• John Kuhn is immediately placed as the team’s starting fullback.

DEFENSE

Left Defensive End: Kasim Edebali, Obum Gwacham, Davis Tull

Left Defensive Tackle: Tyeler Davison, John Jenkins, Ashaad Mabry

Right Defensive Tackle: Sheldon Rankins, Nick Fairley, David Onyemata, C.J. Wilson

Right Defensive End: Cameron Jordan, Bobby Richardson, Matt Shaughnessy, Darryl Tapp

Weak Side Linebacker: Dannell Ellerbe, Nate Stupar, Tony Steward

Middle Linebacker: James Laurinaitis, Craig Robertson, Jeff Schoettmer

Strong Side Linebacker: Stephone Anthony, Michael Mauti, Dillon Lee, Hau’oli Kikaha

Left Cornerback: Delvin Breaux, Damian Swann, De’Vante Harris, Jimmy Pruitt, Brandon Dixon

Strong Safety: Kenny Vaccaro, Roman Harper, Trae Elston

Free Safety: Jairus Byrd, Vonn Bell, Erik Harris, Jamal Golden

Right Cornerback: P.J. Williams, Ken Crawley, Brian Dixon, Keenan Lewis

• Kasim Edebali opens as the starting edge pass-rusher opposite of Cameron Jordan.
• Tyeler Davison and Sheldon Rankins are the team’s starting interior linemen.
• P.J. Williams is the team’s starting cornerback opposite of Delvin Breaux, and Keenan Lewis is listed way down at the bottom. Again, you can’t read that much into it, as the New Orleans Saints are going to be cautious with the veteran.

Next: New Orleans Saints: The pre-Preseason final 53-man roster prediction

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter: Thomas Morstead

Kicker: Kai Forbath (or) Connor Barth

Kickoff Specialist: Thomas Morstead, Kai Forbath

Long Snapper: Justin Drescher

Holder: Thomas Morstead

Punt Returner: Travaris Cadet, Marcus Murphy, Jairus Byrd

Kick Returner: Travaris Cadet, Marcus Murphy, C.J. Spiller

• As I hinted earlier in my roster projection on Sunday, Travaris Cadet handles returning duties right now.
• It’s interesting that the New Orleans Saints have Kai Forbath or Connor Barth at kicker.