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Typically, NFL players who join new teams in September start off at the back end of the roster, but Jahri Evans and Paul Kruger are not ordinary free agents.

The New Orleans Saints listed Evans and Kruger as starters on their unofficial depth chart for Week 1.

Evans, who re-signed on Wednesday, is slated to return to the right guard spot he's held since the Saints drafted him in 2006.
Kruger, meanwhile, is listed as the right defensive end, taking the job held by Kasim Edebali this offseason. The depth chart projects Kruger to start opposite Cameron Jordan.



Saints coach Sean Payton said after the third preseason game the team's two biggest concerns were the pass rush and offensive line, so the team made two big-name signings shortly thereafter.

Another thing on the depth chart that could be a surprise is rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas being a starter, but Thomas is the best fit for the X-receiver spot long held by Marques Colston. Brandin Cooks is the other starter, and Willie Snead will surely be heavily involved, even if he's not listed as a starter.

The Saints also list Marcus Murphy as the return man for punts and kickoffs.

The Cleveland Browns cut Kruger on Aug. 29, and he agreed to a deal with the Saints on Aug. 31, though it wasn't official until Sept. 5. The 30-year-old had just 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2015, but in 2014, he had 53 tackles, 11 sacks and four forced fumbles.




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ScottF

1- how freaking bad in Tim Lelito? Can't beat out a guy 6 years older and who has been cut twice in 6 months

2- why no mention of the fact that Thomas is listed as a starter over Snead?

Crusader

He is pretty darn bad. That can't come as a complete surprise for anybody...


We use more than 2 WRs on so many plays that who is the starter on those positions isn't relevant.

rezburna

This, and Snead will probably work out of the slot more than Thomas will.

I'm hoping we sign Rueben Randle as well. I really think that would be a tremendous addition. I love the way we look on paper. That front 4 looks amazing. I'm slowly becoming optimistic again. I can't wait to see Kruger and Jordan coming off the edge with Fairley and Davieson giving us push up the middle.

ScottF

Fairley Davieson? that's funny
sounds like a knock-off brand of motorcycles you'd buy at Costco or Sam's Club

K Major

I still keep in touch with a few buddies up in Philly & they said Ruben simply looked bad during his brief stint... I mean really bad. Failing to make blocks, silly penalties & more importantly dropping routine passes. 0 effort as if he didn't want to be there. I get the impression he isn't 100% focused on football right now.

Not sure what's up with Rueben.

Euphoria

WOW that says what we saw in pre-season was correct and they Saw it to... that line is going to get Brees hurt in week one.

AsylumGuido

The Saints didn't cut Evans for production reasons. He was cut because he would take a pay cut. And, I don't think anyone expected Snead to start. Thomas has been pegged as the starting wide out for awhile.

WillMacKenzie

haha official motorcycle of Wild Hogs bike club.

AsylumGuido

Either that or a DIII school. Fairley Davieson University.