Saints Training Camp: Depth chart worth discussion if not relevant just yet

The New Orleans Saints play their first preseason game Thursday at Jacksonville. This much we know.

What we don’t really know is who the starters will be at certain positions.

The Saints put out their first depth chart ahead of the game, a requirement for the NFL flip card distribution at games for media and broadcasters.

How much does this initial depth chart matter? What does it mean?

Which term best describes the depth chart?

Revealing, concealing, deceiving, believing, achieving, receiving, disbelieving or heaving.

Can you say all of the above?

We know that Drew Brees is the starting quarterback. The question lies in who his backup is.

Superb athlete Taysom Hill will begin to unravel the mystery by getting lengthy, substantive game time in the preseason. Tom Savage is the veteran insurance policy if Hill cannot fill the bill. J.T .Barrett will likely be a practice squad player, barring injury or a waiver addition prior to the start of the season. This will all depend on how well Hill is heaving the ball in the exhibition games.

The team lists Mark Ingram/Alvin Kamara as the starting running back. Of course, Ingram is out for the first four games of the season so Kamara is the man. Ingram will return. Until he does, who else makes the team? It is somewhat revealing that Shane Vereen is listed next on the depth chart and I think that is accurate because of his proven pass catching ability out of the backfield. Terrance West and Jonathan Williams are listed ahead of rookie Boston Scott but that is predictable.

At fullback, Zach Line is the only player who truly plays the position. Initially, Trey Edmunds was listed there and could conceivably line up there but the Saints later stated he should be at running back.

There are no surprises at wide receiver.

Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn, Jr. are the listed starters with Cameron Meredith and Tre’Quan Smith next up. Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr are listed next. Michael Floyd is listed last at his position. Are we to start believing that? It could be accurate unless Floyd truly makes his mark quickly. It would appear that Lewis and Tate have the inside track at competing for the fifth spot, due to their return ability.

At tight end, Ben Watson is back at practice from injury and is listed as the starter with Josh Hill second. Michael Hoomanawanui is third but is clearly fighting for a roster spot with talented younger Dan Arnold making his mark in camp after moving from wide receiver and the presence of a rookie with promise in Deon Yelder. Arnold, by the way, is listed sixth on the depth chart. Can you say deceiving?

The starting offensive line is set with Max Unger, Andrus Peat, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead. Jermon Bushrod is listed as the reserve at left tackle while Michael Ola is ahead of rookie Rick Leonard as the backup at right tackle. Josh LeRibeus and Landon Turner are listed as reserves at guard. LeRibeus has some versatility and should stick. Cameron Tom is listed ahead of Will Clapp as the reserve center. Clapp has the ability to play guard as well. Are the Saints concealing their real feelings here?

Defensively, Alex Okafor is ahead of schedule in recovering from his Achilles injury and is listed as a starter at right end ahead of rookie investment Marcus Davenport. I am believing this as Okafor is solid and proven and that allows Davenport to be in the rotation, learn and grow into a bigger role. Of course, Cameron Jordan starts on the left side with second-year player Trey Hendrickson in reserve. Al-Quadin Muhammad and Mitchell Loewen, both of whom have shown promise, are next up.

At tackle is an intriguing listing.

The team lists former first-round pick Sheldon Rankins and former fourth-round pick David Onyemata as co-starters at the spot, an indication that Onyemata has truly made progress and is coming on strong. Is that an indictment of Rankins? Is it more than a gentle nudge to motivate him? Rankins was solid last year after an injury-plagued rookie season but more is expected of him this year. Both will play. Devaroe Lawrence has shown enough to merit consideration.

Tyeler Davison is the clear starter at nose tackle with veteran Jay Bromley listed as the reserve. Woodrow Hamilton, IV is battling for a reserve spot.

Perhaps the most intriguing spot is linebacker, where the Saints have five players who could start.

The one certain is Damario Davis, who is the starter on the weakside. A.J. Klein returns from injury to earn the starting spot, for now, on the strong side while Manti Te’o, who performed quite well in the absence of Klein last season, has the number one spot in the middle. Alex Anzalone is second on the weakside but could find his way into the lineup elsewhere while Craig Robertson backs up Te’o with Nate Stupar third and fighting for a roster spot with his special teams ability. Hau’oli Kikaha is the reserve on the strong side after moving from defensive end. This is a real competition all around.

In the secondary, there are no surprises with Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley listed as starters at the corner spots. Patrick Robinson will play the slot while P.J. Williams is listed as the backup to Crawley. Local hero Arthur Maulet is listed ahead of De’vante Harris, who has more experience. They are battling for a roster spot, along with draft pick Natrell Jamerson and Justin Hardee. Maulet must continue achieving if he wants to stick.

Safety is an intriguing position.

Veteran Kurt Coleman and third-year player Vonn Bell are listed as co-starters at strong safety. You have to believe that the Saints signed Coleman, a natural leader, to start, but Bell still figures prominently in the team’s plans and the Saints could play three safeties, at times, as they did when Kenny Vaccaro was here.

At free safety, Marcus Williams appears poised to emerge as a star with Chris Banjo solidly entrenched behind him. Draft pick Kamrin Moore is on the outside looking in.

Thomas Morstead is the punter while Wil Lutz is the kicker. Zach Wood is in as the long snapper.

For the most part, the current depth chart is one that should look like the opening day depth chart on Sept. 9 against Tampa Bay. For the most part, there is no reason for disbelieving at what we are seeing now.