We’re just days away from the New Orleans Saints’ home opener against the Tennessee Titans, and there’s a lot on the line. Both teams are feeling pressure to start this season with a win. The Saints haven’t lost in Week 1 since the 2018 season, but the Titans haven’t won their season opener since 2020. A slow start could mean trouble for either team.
The Saints released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Sunday’s matchup, and it looks a lot like the previous versions the team has shared throughout the summer. But with some roster battles settled and the team thinned out after roster cuts a week ago, it’s worth checking in on each position group in search of answers.
Quarterback
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| QB | Derek Carr | Jameis Winston | Taysom Hill |
Rookie quarterback Jake Haener is no longer listed after being suspended the first six weeks of the regular season.
Running back
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| RB | Jamaal Williams | Kendre Miller | Kirk Merritt |
| FB | Adam Prentice |
Alvin Kamara has been suspended the first three games, but the Saints have a couple of backups on the practice squad in Tony Jones Jr. and Jordan Mims.
Wide receiver
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | 4th string |
| WR | Michael Thomas | Rashid Shaheed | Keith Kirkwood | A.T. Perry |
| WR | Chris Olave | Tre’Quan Smith |
The Saints also have three receivers on the practice squad: special teams ace Jontre Kirklin, promising rookie Shaquan Davis, and returns specialist Lynn Bowden Jr.
Tight end
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| TE | Juwan Johnson | Foster Moreau | Jimmy Graham |
Despite having been re-listed at quarterback, Taysom Hill is also going to get some snaps at tight end.
Offensive line
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string |
| LT | Trevor Penning | Landon Young |
| LG | Andrus Peat or James Hurst | Nick Saldiveri |
| C | Erik McCoy | Max Garcia |
| RG | Cesar Ruiz | Nick Saldiveri |
| RT | Ryan Ramczyk | Landon Young |
Having backups who can capably fill in on either side of the line is valuable, and all nine linemen could dress out on game day. Hurst has continued to get most of the first-team snaps at left guard since Peat returned from injury.
Special teams
| Position | 1st string |
| K | Blake Grupe |
| P | Lou Hedley |
| LS | Zach Wood |
| H | Lou Hedley |
| KR | Rashid Shaheed |
| PR | Rashid Shaheed |
Shaheed didn’t practice over the summer while recovering from a groin injury, so the team tried out Lynn Bowden Jr., Alontae Taylor, and Ugo Amadi in the returns specialist role.
Defensive line
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| RDE | Carl Granderson | Payton Turner | Isaiah Foskey |
| DT | Khalen Saunders | Malcolm Roach | |
| DT | Nathan Shepherd | Bryan Bresee | |
| LDE | Cameron Jordan | Tanoh Kpassagnon |
It’s a loaded group, but the Saints also have defensive ends Niko Lalos and Kyle Phillips on the practice squad along with defensive tackle Jack Heflin.
Linebacker
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string |
| WLB | Pete Werner | Nephi Sewell |
| MLB | Demario Davis | D’Marco Jackson |
| SLB | Zack Baun | D’Marco Jackson |
Additionally, the Saints could bring up Jaylon Smith, Ryan Connelly, or Anfernee Orji from the practice squad.
Cornerback
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string |
| LCB | Paulson Adebo | Isaac Yiadom |
| RCB | Marshon Lattimore | Alontae Taylor |
Taylor will mainly play the slot when the Saints are in their nickel defense (their most-common look as opposed to base or dime) but they can also elevate rookie cornerback Anthony Johnson from their practice squad.
Safety
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| SS | Marcus Maye | J.T. Gray | Jordan Howden |
| FS | Tyrann Mathieu | Lonnie Johnson Jr. | Ugo Amadi |
This doesn’t reflect what we’ve seen throughout the summer at training camp and in preseason games; Maye is a traditional over-the-top free safety while Mathieu is a versatile safety who can line up anywhere in the box. Remember, these are unofficial depth charts published by the team’s media relations staff, not the coaches. Strong safety Johnathan Abram is also on the practice squad.
