Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

A look at the New Orleans Saints' projected offensive depth chart as it stands today:

QB – Drew Brees, Luke McCown, Ryan Griffin

RB – Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, Travaris Cadet

FB – Erik Lorig, Austin Johnson

WR1 – Marques Colston, Nick Toon, Andy Tanner

WR2 – Kenny Stills, Joe Morgan, Chris Givens, Charles Hawkins

TE – Jimmy Graham, Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill

LT – Terron Armstead, Marcel Jones

LG – Ben Grubbs, Senio Kelemete

C – Tim Lelito

RG – Jahri Evans

RT – Zach Strief, Bryce Harris, Ty Nsekhe

Thoughts: There are two holes the Saints still need to address. The most important is the interior line, where I still expect the Saints to sign a veteran center (either re-signing Brian de la Puente or adding a short-term solution like Jonathan Goodwin). Maybe Tim Lelito can wind up winning a starting job at center. But even so, the Saints need some depth behind him and Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs. I think the Saints will add an interior lineman somewhere in the draft, as coach Sean Payton suggested last week during his media session at the NFL meetings.

The next priority is wide receiver. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints add a veteran to the mix to at least compete for a roster spot. Re-signing Robert Meachem would fill that void. The Saints have also shown interest in veteran Sidney Rice as a possibility. Either way, I also expect the Saints to draft a receiver at some point this year since the rookie class is so loaded with talent -- maybe even in Round 1. The Saints could use a dynamic playmaker to rotate into the mix right away and develop into a future starter.

Next on the list might be a backup left tackle. I like Bryce Harris' potential, and he already served as the “swing” backup at both tackle spots last year. But he projects as more of a right tackle, and the same goes for less-experienced backup Marcel Jones.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints draft a tight end since veteran backup Benjamin Watson is getting older. But they are high on the potential of second-year pro Josh Hill. And it wouldn't be shocking to see the Saints draft a running back, even though they're loaded with depth right now. Mark Ingram is scheduled to be a free agent next year, and Pierre Thomas is 29.

I think it's too early for the Saints to invest a high draft pick on a young quarterback, though. For one thing, Drew Brees probably has at least three or four good years left. For another thing, the Saints like the potential of second-year pro Ryan Griffin. Payton, however, did say that the Saints are always on the lookout for young talent at quarterback when he addressed that topic last week.

Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I'd place WR and CB before OC. Mainly because interior linemen are a bit easier to find and much cheaper than a top CB/WR prospect.

But we do need all 3.

My humble needs rankings
1A -WR
1B -CB (probably tied with WR)
3 - LB (speed please)
4 - OC
5 - OT
6 - WR (yes, another one)
7 - CB (yes, another one)
8 - RB (Bush/Sproles scat back type)
9 - K
10- LB (speed again please)

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Oops, I just noticed this article was for Offense only...

Nevermind.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Speed, speed, speed!

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

OC - #1 we aint got one

after that add whatever the BPA is in the draft

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Need a WR with speed that can stretch the field and a center

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

DE, DT, OC, OG, LT, WR, WR, WR

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

WR, CB, WR, C, LB, WR, T

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

3 WR's eh?

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

And 9 more undrafted.

Look at the depth. What's behind Colston? He misses a few games a year or plays hurt... What's after Stills?

4 WR set?

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Yep, Center should be a very high priority. Brees need to step up to throw and the backs need a beast leading the way.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Jim Finks used to say "When in doubt take the big man." That seemed to serve him pretty well. The game really is won or lost in the trenches. I'm not saying to draft a center in the first round but it should be very high on the list of priorities.

We've got some guys that have been around for a couple of years so there must be a reason we've kept them around. Lelito was up and down so it's hard for somebody like me to try evaluate his potential. If he really is starter material that's great. One less position to fill.

Quality depth at OL is under rated. Even if the starters are all in place we need a guy who can fill in at center/guard with out a huge drop off.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

If you include UDFA's and maybe another veteran, then yes I can see 4 or 5 new WR's brought into camp, but I can't see drafting 3 of them. I'll buy two, but 3?

Colston
Stills
Morgan
Draft pick#1
Draft pick #2
-------------
Toon
Tanner
Givens
Hawkins

Hmmm, I can see another WR in there somewhere.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

We'll probably add Sidney Rice into the fold and draft a receiver or two.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

If DLP ends up somewhere else, and Lelito is the plan to replace him, we'll need a back up guard to take Lelito's spot and it might not be a bad idea to get another backup G/C on top of that.

Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I'm not up to speed on Givens or Hawkins.

The rest:
Colston - Ave 10.6 starts a season last 3 ... Health

Morgan - Ave 1.6 starts a season last 3

Stills - g2g

Toon - Needs work on hands.

Tanner - love the heart.... Sort of ends there.

We are contenders once again and we need reliable depth. Not superstars, my concerns with both Colston and Morgan are health, they are both outstanding players...... But consistent players on the field running routes.

I'm keeping in mind how dependent our offense is on timing. Drew doesn't throw to the receiver, he throws to the x and the receiver is expected to be there. Polar opposite of Manziel.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Right there is the thought that scares me the most. last thing we need is any push up the middle on Drew. the sack totals will be twice what they were last year. Lito did not come close to looking good OC last year. he seemed so so as a back to OG. he is a work in progress and no were near ready to step into the starting position. heck i had him as a player that needed to be replaced/upgraded.

If Lito is the starter my first words to Drew would be get more insurance because dam your odds of making it through the season just went down the toilet.

To big of a risk. As Drew goes so do the saints.

Yet I fear the saints will play it cute yet again on the OL and actual try to pull this Lito at center thing off.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Colston
Stills
-------------
Draft pick#1
Draft pick #2
Morgan
Toon
Tanner
Givens
Hawkins

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Just resigned Haralson so the FO is addressing certain wants/depth needs through FA.

I see the process and it seems to me like we are checking boxes in Free Agency every where but the WR area... My interpretation is that we are going to draft offensive weapons heavily.

On a 3 year outlook business model: Addressing an aging fleet
Colston will be gone, and we have no other WR veterans of over 4 years. We draft 3 WR, bring in 4-6 more undrafted in the hopes of fielding at the very least 2-3 starting WRs. This marks the transition from Brees to a rookie QB that will need a hand full of veteran WRs to cut his teeth on until he is up to speed.

Look at the upside of what can be read between the lines. Payton knows Brees is on his last contract and is setting him self up for the post Drew Brees era.. Sort of tells me he plans on staying :):bng:

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Agreed, I think this will be a draft with all but 1 or maybe 2 players on defense. I can see 2 WR's, RB, OC and an OT with maybe a CB or LB thrown in there. Maybe even a TE too.

I think our defense worshippers will be very very disappointed.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Not sure how, we are rolling into 2014 with the 4th ranked defense and have only upgraded certain positions it since the last game of 2013.

Before 2013 these are the best ranking defenses we have had in Points/game.

Sean Payton Era
2010 -7TH

Back to 1994 Before Sean Payton
2000 10th

Dome Patrol Days
1992 1st
1991 1st
1988 4th
1987 5th
1986 7th


The difference between 4th and 1st in ranking is usually only a fraction or 1-2 points so what offenses they faced has probably more to do with it then a player or two.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I'm sure there are many who would be happy if we drafted heavy on defense year in and year out. They're the "Defense Wins Championships" crowd. If they see an all-offense draft they will be very disappointed.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Here are my order of priority right now for the Saints...

1) WR (playmaking receiver/ returner)
2) LB/DE (pass rushing type... you can never have enough of these types)
3) CB (I still think we will be fine with PRob and White)
4) C (DLP or Goodwin is whom I guess we can expect FA)
5) RB (In the draft DeAnthony Thomas??? In open space he can be a playmaker)
6) T (Depth outside of Harris)
7) DT (Perhaps I'm under rating the need here. Again you can never have enough talent on the defensive front.)

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I would have to say WR, C, CB, OT, OG, LB, WR

I like how they look at DT and DE. A lot of young bucks played great last year.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I don't think the draft is the place to fill a hole at C.B. In fact the thought of a rookie corner always sends chills up my spine. If there is one in the first round who has the potential to be a quality starter down the road then go ahead and draft him. But don't count on him to be anything other than a spot player. We need another decent veteran to start across from Lewis. Maybe Robinson is that guy. Maybe not.

Pretty much everything I said about rookie C.B.s applies to rookie WRs. They don't necessarily hurt you as much but they don't usually help that much either.

Of course there are always exceptions.

Oh yeah, we need a good young kicker too.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

On Offense we need:
1.) WR
2.)Center
3.) RB(depth)
4.)OG/OT

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

are they the dome patrol? heck no that unit is one of the all time greatest ever assembled in the nFL.

What they are is solid. they were moving that way before spaz and the are still moving in the right direction today.

thank god spaz killed us with ideology and not with player changes.

But to get from the super bowl days the saints had to make some serious changes at the expense of the offense. the offense is at it's lowest point ever under SP. time to address this issue is now. no more cute games on OL. Drew was on his back more last year than any year here that is not good.

Drew must be protected if he goes down so does the season

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Lol truuue

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

Looks like we're getting the rest of our secondary needs from the CFL I hoped my 5,000 post would be more distinguished

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

I'll be happy if they draft a LB and CB and the rest offense. They're will be some that will be UDFA's.

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

This is going to be an offensive weapon heavy draft.

At the time of this posting we have 8 CBs on the roster, at least 3 of which are starters.

Lewis
White
Robinson
Wade
Davis
Sweeting
Fredrick
Brooks

Re: Analyzing Saints depth chart: Offense
 

The problem is Lewis is the only one that has proven he belongs on the field.
In my humble opinion we need to draft a WR, CB, and center in the first three rounds. I also feel like we need to address OT, LB'ers and the safety position to give us some much needed depth. It's looking like we may need another couple of guards/OT to shore up the O-line too.