Here’s our first look at the New Orleans Saints’ unofficial depth chart, which the team released ahead of their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. We’ve already discussed the offense and taken a harder look at several position groups, but now let’s recap what the Saints are projecting for their defense:
Right defensive end
- No. 96 Carl Granderson
- No. 98 Payton Turner
- No. 55 Isaiah Foskey (rookie)
Granderson is currently in the lead to start here, but Turner has played very well over the summer. Validating those strong practice reps with a highlight reel-worthy play or two on Sunday against the Chiefs would be big for him.
Defensive tackle
- No. 99 Khalen Saunders
- No. 97 Malcolm Roach
- No. 57 Prince Emili
- No. 77 Jerron Cage (rookie)
Saunders was signed to start and help rebuild the Saints’ defensive interior, but Roach has had some nice reps in practice and could earn a bigger role than we’ve seen before.
Defensive tackle
- No. 93 Nathan Shepherd
- No. 90 Bryan Bresee (rookie)
- No. 95 Jack Heflin
Shepherd was the team’s other free-agent investment at the position, so it’s not a surprise to see him slotted ahead of Bresee. The rookie needs to prove his durability concerns are behind him and make plays up front when the team calls his number.
Left defensive end
- No. 94 Cameron Jordan
- No. 92 Tanoh Kpassagnon
- No. 54 Niko Lalos
- No. 91 Kyle Phillips
Not much to say here; Jordan is still the man on top of the mountain. It’s worth remembering that Kpassagnon signed an extension early this year. Lalos and Phillips are likely competing for a spot on the practice squad.
Weakside linebacker
- No. 20 Pete Werner
- No. 45 Nephi Sewell
- No. 58 Anfernee Orji (rookie)
Werner could be the future of the Saints linebacker corps if he can stay healthy for a full season. Everything he needs to succeed is there — athleticism, clean tackling technique, high awareness in pass coverage — but he’s missed seven games in two years with injuries.
Middle linebacker
- No. 56 Demario Davis
- No. 52 D’Marco Jackson
- No. 42 Ty Summers
- No. 40 Nick Anderson (rookie)
Davis is arguably the most important player on the team, so it’s worrisome that he’s been out of practice this week with a calf injury. Jackson has had some highlights at training camp but the Saints brought in Jaylon Smith to reinforce the depth chart here.
Strongside linebacker
- No. 53 Zack Baun
- No. 43 Ryan Connelly
The Saints rarely play many snaps with three linebackers on the field, and Baun hasn’t flashed often enough at training camp to warrant a big shift in personnel. He still hasn’t gotten to play the pass-rush role he excelled at in college.
Left cornerback
- No. 29 Paulson Adebo OR No. 1 Alontae Taylor
- No. 27 Isaac Yiadom
- No. 37 Troy Pride
- No. 36 Anthony Johnson (rookie)
This has been the competition to watch at training camp with Adebo and Taylor trading off days with the first-string defense, but Yiadom and Pride have combined for a compelling undercard fight. They’ve both consistently made plays.
Strong safety
- No. 6 Marcus Maye
- No. 24 Jonathan Abram
- No. 48 J.T. Gray
- No. 31 Jordan Howden (rookie)
This is a good reminder that his depth chart is labeled “unofficial” for a reason. It was put together by the team’s media relations staff, not the coaching staff, which is why Maye, Gray, and Howden aren’t listed at the position they’ve primarily played: free safety.
Free safety
- No. 32 Tyrann Mathieu
- No. 28 Lonnie Johnson Jr.
- No. 38 Smoke Monday
- No. 0 Ugo Amadi
Yeah, another reminder that this unofficial depth chart isn’t entirely accurate. Mathieu does not play free safety in the Saints defense (at least not on a majority of his snaps). That is Maye’s spot.
Right cornerback
- No. 23 Marshon Lattimore
- No. 21 Bradley Roby
- No. 44 Adrian Frye (rookie)
Lattimore is, by all accounts, having the best training camp of his Saints career. Let’s hope it continues. It’s worth noting that Frye has made a lot of plays on special teams and is right there in the mix for the final roster spot in the secondary.
