SmashMouth

1. S Jairus Byrd - Byrd gets the top spot, as he's been relegated to the physically unable to perform list since Day 1. Sean Payton says Byrd will be back sooner than later, but he's been tight lipped about his injury. It was definitely strange to see Byrd on the PUP after he participated throughout the offseason. But what's even more worrisome is that Byrd just can't seem to find the field. And at $9 million per, that's a huge problem.

2. TE Josh Hill - Most assumed Hill would step into Jimmy Graham's former role and emerge as the Saints next superstar. Well, that hasn't happened. Not even close. Hill has missed the last four days of practice with an unspecified injury. But frankly, prior to that he had done little to impress.

At this point, he's little more than a solid backup. I think many of us were a little bullish on the youngster after last season, when five of his 14 receptions were touchdowns. There's a reason he was targeted just 20 times last season: he has trouble separating from more athletic defenders.

Hill will need to show he can be effective without someone like Graham drawing coverage away from his side. I have serious doubts at this point, but it's early yet.

There's no question he'll make this team, but if he's going to be anything more than a serviceable backup, he'll have to step up once he returns.

3. LG Tim Lelito - He may still win the job, but so far he's struggled, at times looking woefully overmatched. Guard is his natural position, but after spending last season at center it looks as if he needs time to re-adjust. He was held out of Friday's scrimmage for unspecified reasons, replaced by Senio Kelemete, who could provide some stiff competition moving forward.

I was high on Lelito heading into camp and still believe he can recover. He'll certainly be helped by the fact the rest of the line has been fantastic. Plus, on one side he has Terron Armstead, on the other, Max Unger; quite the bookends, I'd say.

Link Back

Cruize

While I truly enjoy watching the young players play and fight for a job in preseason, my major disappointment is the regular season is not already here.

Danno

Not sure if it qualifies for a disappointment, but I have yet to much at all about PJ Williams.

The Dude

Not having brought in a legitimate receiving threat to replace Graham will be much more of I big deal than people think. I'm fine he got traded, and am glad we addressed the line but we should have tried to get someone proven in the passing game. I also question the wisdom in trading him to a team we will have to beat to get to the Super Bowl for the next few years.

jeanpierre

Injured.

jeanpierre

And both guards have been getting their arses handed to them...

Akiem Hicks has reportedly been beating Jahri Evans in one-on-one drills as well...

That doesn't bode well for Sir Drew...

foreverfan

Does it mean our defense is getting better.

Yea... Drew is screwed.

burningmetal

Well the Josh Hill thing isn't a disappointment to me, really. I've made the point for about a year now that just because he caught a few touchdowns doesn't mean he's that good. He did little else, and should they make him a featured target he will be swallowed up. I'm not sure why this would surprise anyone.

WillSaints81

Well Jimmy was not always on the field with Josh unless I'm mistaken. Like, for run plays, Jimmy was on the sideline.

saintsfan1976

It will be a different team than 2014. But isn't that a good thing?