As Sean Payton addressed the media a day before his team kicks off training camp practice, he wouldn't delve into whether the team is concerned about the wide receiver position due to Michael Thomas' absence.
He's got other things to worry about first.
“We’ll always pay close attention to the roster and kind go from there," Payton said. "I couldn’t say today that all of a sudden that’s something. There’s other pressing positions ahead of that position."
The comment marked one of the first outward signs of some of the depth issues the Saints will have to contend with this season. That has built out of a combination of retirements, free agent departures and a $100 million salary cap purge in the offseason.
Related
Cornerback was a position Payton addressed bluntly: The team is still on the lookout for a needed piece despite the signing of Brian Poole, who has served as a slot corner throughout his career.
"There's still a player there that we need to find," Payton said. "We'll continue looking and look at everyone who might be a candidate to fill that 'must.' "
That must-get player will be a cornerback to play on the outside, with the Saints losing Janoris Jenkins in another cost-cutting move this offseason. The team drafted Paulson Adebo in the third round and has veteran Patrick Robinson on the roster, but Payton indicated there will be at least one more face in that room before the season kicks off in September. The team freed up about $12 million in space before the signings of Poole and wide receiver Chris Hogan.
"I think it's important to narrow that focus down to an outside player," Payton said.
The Saints are also in the process of a quarterback competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston, will be without defensive tackle David Onyemata for the first six games due to suspension and have questions alongside Demario Davis at linebacker.
But even while putting the onus on other positions, Payton did address the reported signing of veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan. The former New England Patriots standout worked out with the Saints last week and reportedly agreed to a contract later that day, putting his recently started pro lacrosse career on hold for a potential return to the NFL.
"[Hogan is] another player that we've seen and actually practiced against," Payton said. "Again, someone that we think has a lot of the skillsets we'd look for, so we're excited to have him."
Related
