Saints Current Depth Chart: Free Agency Edition

The draft and the rest of free agency will certainly alter the roster, but here's a look at the current projected New Orleans depth chart after a week into free agency.

Bob Rose | Mar 18, 2023

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New Orleans Saints

Plenty of moves will still be made before the New Orleans Saints and every other NFL team take a snap in the 2023 season. We are less than a week into the free agency signing period and just six weeks away from the NFL Draft.

The New Orleans Saints were surprisingly active in the first week of free agency. After adding QB Derek Carr, New Orleans signed one of the top running backs on the market in Jamaal Williams and also addressed defensive tackle in a big way, bringing in Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders.

Additionally, the Saints also did a terrific job of creating salary cap space by restructuring or reworking the contracts of their own stars without releasing anyone. There's still plenty of work to do, but here's a look at the Saints projected depth chart after a week of free agency.

OFFENSE

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

• Derek Carr

• Jameis Winston

Running Back

• Alvin Kamara

• Jamaal Williams

• Eno Benjamin

• Adam Prentice (FB)

Wide Receiver

• Chris Olave

• Michael Thomas

• Rashid Shaheed (KR/PR)

• Tre'Quan Smith

• Keith Kirkwood

• Kirk Merritt

Tight End

• Juwan Johnson

• Adam Trautman

• Taysom Hill (RB/TE/QB)

Offensive Line

• Ryan Ramczyk (RT)

• Cesar Ruiz (RG)

• Erik McCoy (C)

• Andrus Peat (LG)

• Trevor Penning (LT)

• James Hurst (G/T)

• Calvin Throckmorton (G)

• Landon Young (T)

• Lewis Kidd (G)

• Storm Norton (T)

New Orleans pulled off two major coups when they inked Carr and still managed to keep Winston, who will be one of the league's best backups. The 32-year-old Carr is expected to be the answer to the team’s biggest offseason need, but he'll be surrounded by plenty of weapons.

Outside of the versatile Taysom Hill, the Saints had zero backfield threats outside of Alvin Kamara in 2022. The addition of Williams changes that. Williams is coming off a 1,000-yard and an NFL-high 17 rushing touchdowns. With Kamara facing at least a six-game suspension because of legal issues, so don't be surprised if the Saints draft another back.

New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) is chased by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Reworking a deal to keep Michael Thomas gives Carr a lethal trio of receivers. Assuming, of course, that Thomas can stay healthy. Olave and Shaheed are potential stars, but there are still issues when Tre'Quan Smith is your fourth wideout. Expect the Saints to bring in another receiver, whether it's a free agent or a draft choice.

Juwan Johnson was a pleasant surprise last season with 42 catches for 508 yards and a team-high 7 scores. Only Travis Kelce had more receiving touchdowns among NFL tight ends.

Trautman is a capable blocker, but adds little as a receiver. Hill is a tight end in name only, but is a dynamic all-purpose threat. The Saints could add a veteran free agent or draft pick here, but Johnson's production may be even better with Carr at quarterback.

When healthy, New Orleans still has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. However, injuries have been a major problem for this unit the last two years. If 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning develops as expected, then veteran starter James Hurst is a massive depth upgrade. Injuries are always a concern with Peat and Ramczyk, so don't be surprised if the Saints draft a lineman early.

DEFENSE

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY

Defensive End

• Cam Jordan

• Carl Granderson

• Tanoh Kpassagnon

• Payton Turner

Defensive Tackle

• Khalen Saunders

• Nathan Shepherd

Linebacker

• Demario Davis

• Pete Werner

• D'Marco Jackson

• Zack Baun

• Ty Summers

Cornerback

• Marshon Lattimore

• Alontae Taylor

• Paulson Adebo

• Bradley Roby

Safety

• Tyrann Mathieu

• Marcus Maye

• Smoke Monday

• J.T. Gray

• Ugo Amadi

Specialists

• Wil Lutz (K)

• Blake Gillikin (P)

• Zach Wood (LS)

It was no surprise when the Saints didn't make a contract offer to DE Marcus Davenport. Granderson outplayed him last year and Kpassagnon is a versatile performer up front. The ageless Jordan saw a statistical dip last season, but still makes plays against constant double team blocking.

Depending the way the early rounds of the draft play out, the Saints could very well select a defensive end or add a veteran here after the draft. Turner, a 2021 first-rounder, has been a huge disappointment and is approaching bust status.

After losing two starting tackles in free agency, New Orleans replaced both within 24 hours by adding Saunders and Shepherd. They are currently the only two rostered tackles, so more will certainly be added. I expect one to be an early round draft choice, but free agents Kentavius Street or Malcolm Roach could also be brought back.

Demario Davis continues to be the key to one of the league's best defenses. Werner is coming off an outstanding second season, but the position took a hit by losing Kaden Elliss in free agency. D'Marco Jackson was having a strong rookie training camp before being lost to injury. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the Saints brought in a veteran for LB depth.

New Orleans has one of the NFL's best trio of corners in Taylor, Adebo, and the elite Lattimore. However, either Taylor or Adebo will have to do more work from the slot to get all three on the field at the same time.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Safety was a big disappointment for the Saints last season. Mathieu and Maye are both proven playmakers and should be better with their second year in this defense. Monday was turning everyone's heads as an undrafted rookie before being lost for the year in training camp.

If New Orleans is confident in Monday's development, then they may not bring in another safety through the draft or free agency. They could also re-sign reliable veteran P.J. Williams, Justin Evans, or Daniel Sorensen.

The draft, and the rest of free agency, will of course alter the Saints roster. Some positions will change drastically. However, it's also quite clear from their free agent strategy that New Orleans is still aggressively pursuing wins instead of a ''rebuilding'' mentality that much of the national media had suggested.