Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 Pre-Camp

LINEBACKERS

WLB (2) 59 - Dannell Ellerbe, 54 - Nate Stupar, 97 - Tony Steward

MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 52 - Craig Robertson, 51 - Jeff Schoettmer

SLB (2) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti, 57 - Dillon Lee

LEO (3) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 55 - Davis Tull, *44 - Hau'oli Kikaha

Projected Starter Entering Training Camp

Reserve/Injured

Draft Pick/Future/UDRFA

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Saints will probably keep six (6), maybe seven (7) linebackers on the final (53) initial roster; the Line/End Linebackers (LEO) were counted against the defensive line group, though either Edebali, Gwachum and/or Tull could be grouped with the linebackers as the Saints have 'em listed...

Early Rankings of our Linebackers would be:

1. 50 - Stephone Anthony - spend a first round pick on a linebacker and voila' - he was outstanding; relieved of MIKE duties in favour of Laurinaitis' experience
2. 53 - James Laurinaitis - one of the better MLB in the game; thought to be on the decline from a shoulder injury; brought in for defensive field general duties...
3. 52 - Craig Robertson - will challenge for the WLB starting position as this guy can run; is also a very capable MLB with great instincts and good preparation
4. 59 - Dannell Ellerbe - if he could only stay healthy, he'd be a pro-bowler, but missing five or more games can't be accepted, no matter the upside...
5. 54 - Nate Stupar - from Penn St LB tradition and when given a chance, hasn't disappointed; will enhance special teams and has started at both WLB or MLB.
6. 91 - Kasim Edebali - Has very limited coverage ability and change of direction, more of a pure pass rusher, smallish Defensive End
7. 55 - Davis Tull - Elite athlete with uphill battle for Allen to make Tull a priority to find him a featured role; an ideal 34 LB, but that's not gonna happen with DA...
8. 56 - Mike Mauti - Legacy player brought in for depth and special teams play; graded well last season when he played, though rarely tested...
9. 57 - Dillon Lee - versatile, team player who sacrificed the spotlight, playing whereever asked and has great experience at all the linebacker positions...
10. 58 - Obum Gwacham - Converted defender who's added muscle, but still looks too lean to anchor the edge as a DE, could better his chances as a SLB
11. 97 - Tony Steward - good athlete who's had injury and personal misfortunes early on in his NFL career, trying to make the show...
12. 51 - Jeff Schoettmer - Carolina MIKE Backer who was a standout leader making sure his teammates were lined up, has minimum NFL athleticism
13. 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha - is likely lost for most, if not the entire season due to a third lifetime knee injury; he would have been ranked third (3rd)

Linebackers to watch who're likely to move up:
52 - Craig Robertson
55 - Davis Tull
57 - Dillon Lee


Notes/Observations:

• While Davis Tull was a college DE and is an ideal a 3-4 NFL OLB, he could easily shift to SLB or WLB and has sideline to sideline athleticism as a MLBer...
  
• ...with the Kikaha injury, in addition to the recent stockpiling of 4-3 D-linemen in Lawrence Virgil and C.J. Wilson, we're likely to see a traditional 4-3 where linebackers will be expected to be thumpers behind the defensive linemen on running plays and drop back in zone coverage on passing plays...
  
• If I were Dannell Ellerbe, I wouldn't buy property; his inability to stay healthy is probably one of the biggest reasons we signed so many linebackers...
  
• Could you imagine this linebacker corps if we had spent the money on Broncos Linebacker Danny Trevathan instead of Colby Fleener?
  
• When a top ten underrated list of 2016 Free Agent Signings is done next year James Laurinaitis, Craig Robertson and Nate Stupar should be on that list...
  
• Edebali and Gwachum had better be jump out as pass rushers are they're going be quickly on the outside, looking in...
  
• Watch out for LB Dillon Lee out of Alabama, being moved around at Bama did him no favors as a collegiate standout, but will be a big seller in the NFL...
  
• IF Kikaha doesn't hurt himself, we could have looked really poised as a 3-4 front with plenty of depth...
  
• Like many of our defensive linemen, the theme of versatility, being able to play more than one position will also be a characteristic of the linebacking corps..

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 June OTAs

LG (2) 65 - Senio Kelemete, 68 - Tim Lelito, 78 - Landon Turner

RG (2) 75 - Andrus Peat, 62 - Cyril Lemon, 71 - Kaleb Eulls


Whoa Nelly :bugeyes:! ... the current depth at GUARD is not looking all that promising.

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

Guard depth could be better, but I'd say it's better than where we were this time last year...

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

And don't forget, Joe Cheek played Guard at Texas A & M because Matthews was the Tackle...

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 June PreCamp

OFFENSE

QB (3) 9 -Drew Brees, 7 - Luke McCown, 18 - Garrett Grayson

RB (5) 22 - Mark Ingram, 34 - Tim Hightower, 28 - C.J. Spiller, 38 - Travaris Cadet, 23 - Marcus Murphy, 36 - Daniel Lasco

FB (1) 35 - Austin Johnson, 39 - Sione Houma

WR (3) 13 - Michael Thomas, 16 - Brandon Coleman, 15 - Vincent Brown, 81 - Jordan Williams, 85 - Jared Dangerfield, 12 - Kyle Prater

LT (2) 72 - Terron Armstead, 70 - Ryker Mathews, 79 - Joseph Cheek

LG (2) 65 - Senio Kelemete, 68 - Tim Lelito, 78 - Landon Turner

C (1) 60 - Max Unger, 66 - Jack Allen, 61 - Marcus Henry

RG (2) 75 - Andrus Peat, 62 - Cyril Lemon, 71 - Kaleb Eulls

RT (1) 64 - Zach Strief, 74 - Tyrus Thompson, 67 - Avery Young

TE (3) 82 - Coby Fleener, 89 - Josh Hill, 84 - Michael Hoomanawanui, 88 - RaShaun Allen, 80 - Jack Tabb, 86 - Chris Manhertz

SR (2) 10 - Brandin Cooks, 83 - Willie Snead, 14 - R.J. Harris, 11 - Reggie Bell, 87 - TommyLee Lewis, 19 - Jake Lampmann


DEFENSE

DE (2) 94 - Cameron Jordan, 98 - Bobby Richardson, 98 - C.J. Wilson, 77 - D.J. Pettway

NT (2) 92 - John Jenkins, 95 - Tyeler Davison, 96 - Ashaad Mabry, 96 - Lawrence Virgil

DT (2) 90 - Nick Fairley, 99 - Sheldon Rankins, 93 - David Onyemata

LEO (2) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 55 - Davis Tull, *44 - Hau'oli Kikaha

WLB (2) 59 - Dannell Ellerbe, 54 - Nate Stupar, 97 - Tony Steward

MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 52 - Craig Robertson, 51 - Jeff Schoettmer

SLB (3) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti, 57 - Dillon Lee

RCB (3) 40 - Delvin Breaux, 27 - Damian Swann, 29 - Tony Carter, 49 - De’Vante Harris

SS (2) 32 - Kenny Vaccaro, 30 - Erik Harris, 41 - Roman Harper

FS (3) 31 - Jairus Byrd, 48 - Vonn Bell, 26 - Trae Elston, 42 - Alden Darby

LCB (2) 21 - Keenan Lewis, 25 - P.J. Williams, 20 - Brian Dixon, 37 - Brandon Dixon, 46 - Ken Crawley, 43 - Jimmy Pruitt


KICKING

K (1) 5 - Kai Forbath, 3 - Connor Barth

P (1) 6 - Thomas Morstead

LS (1) 47 - Justin Drescher, 45 - Garrett Griffin


RESERVE/INJURED

FS 33 - Jamarca Sanford (Prior to Cut to 75)

CB 24 - Kyle Wilson (Prior to Cut to 75)

DE 76 - Mitchell Loewen (NFIN)

LB 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha hasn't been officially put on IR nor IR-To Return

Projected Starter

Reserve/Injured

Draft Selection/UDRFA/Future

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Note: Roster Unit Nos.: Offense - 44, Defense - 41, Kicking - 5, Total Roster - 90

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

Cooks really needs to step us in this his third year; 1200 rec yds, 14 rec tds is what I'm thinking...

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

Great review of our linebackers JP! I honestly don't know much about this Dillon Lee but what I'm reading has me very intrigued. I really hope Craig Robertson gets the starting WLB job because he's tremendously good in coverage. Why was he available as a bargain basement free agent? What am I missing because I watch this guy and he's a playmaker.

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

It was good we got VET LB's this off season. We have to TWO gap. Moving Anthony to Sam allows him to play behind Cam Jordan so whatever gap Jordan doesn't penetrate is Anthony's responsibility making his reads cleaner.

Ellerbe/Craig Robertson/Stupar/James L are all good LBs that should have no trouble with their reads at the MLB and WLB position.

Dennis Allen has full control of the D (see Greg W in 2009). Coach em up.

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

It will be interesting to see what TULL can do next month once they have on full gear. I understand his first two steps are explosive.

Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook
 

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 June PreCamp Projected 53

OFFENSE

QB (3) 9 -Drew Brees, 7 - Luke McCown, 18 - Garrett Grayson

RB (5) 22 - Mark Ingram, 34 - Tim Hightower, 28 - C.J. Spiller, 23 - Marcus Murphy, 36 - Daniel Lasco

FB (1) 35 - Austin Johnson

WR (2) 13 - Michael Thomas, 81 - Jordan Williams

LT (2) 72 - Terron Armstead, 70 - Ryker Mathews

LG (2) 68 - Tim Lelito, 78 - Landon Turner

C (2) 60 - Max Unger, 65 - Senio Kelemete

RG (1) 75 - Andrus Peat

RT (1) 64 - Zach Strief

TE (3) 82 - Coby Fleener, 89 - Josh Hill, 84 - Michael Hoomanawanui

SR (3) 10 - Brandin Cooks, 83 - Willie Snead, 14 - R.J. Harris


DEFENSE

DE (2) 94 - Cameron Jordan, 69 - C.J. Wilson

NT (2) 92 - John Jenkins, 95 - Tyeler Davison

DT (3) 90 - Nick Fairley, 99 - Sheldon Rankins, 93 - David Onyemata

LEO (2) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 55 - Davis Tull

WLB (2) 52 - Craig Robertson, 57 - Dillon Lee

MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 54 - Nate Stupar

SLB (2) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti

RCB (2) 40 - Delvin Breaux, 27 - Damian Swann

SS (3) 32 - Kenny Vaccaro, 30 - Erik Harris, 41 - Roman Harper

FS (2) 31 - Jairus Byrd, 48 - Vonn Bell

LCB (3) 21 - Keenan Lewis, 25 - P.J. Williams, 20 - Brian Dixon


KICKING

K (1) 3 - Connor Barth

P (1) 6 - Thomas Morstead

LS (1) 47 - Justin Drescher


RESERVE/INJURED

FS 33 - Jamarca Sanford (Prior to Cut to 75)

CB 24 - Kyle Wilson (Prior to Cut to 75)

DE 76 - Mitchell Loewen (NFIN)

LB 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha hasn't been officially put on IR nor IR-To Return

Projected Starter

Reserve/Injured

Draft Selection/UDRFA/Future

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Note: Roster Unit Nos.: Offense - 44, Defense - 41, Kicking - 5, Total Roster - 90