The New Orleans Saints released their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, and the team isn't tipping its hand on much just yet.
The air of mystery still surrounds several positions for this team, but none more than that QB position. Head coach Kellen Moore has maintained throughout that this is a three-way QB battle and the depth chart matches that sentiment.
"2 Spencer Rattler - or - 6 Tyler Shough - or - 3 Jake Haener"
Teams don't have to declare starters at this stage, and the Saints clearly have no interest. Moore said the decision hasn't been made as to who will start the game, but it'll have to be at some point. There's also something to be said for how this list was ordered on the page, because it's definitely not in mathematical or numerical order.
The list certainly appears to match what's been seen at camp to this point, with Rattler getting the most days with leading the first team out of the blocks -- including the last two practices -- and only one day with the third team.
Rookies start at the back
The Saints drafted nine players this year and seniority reigned on this year's depth chart. Other than Shough and Kelvin Banks Jr. no rookie was placed ahead of a veteran at their respective positions. Banks is first string at left tackle, which is where he's lined up all camp.
Devin Neal is listed 6th among the RBs, ahead of only UDFA Marcus Yarns. Jonas Sanker is listed third behind Justin Reid and Terrell Burgess, only ahead of Elliott Davison. Vernon Broughton is listed 5th (last) at his position, while Fadil Diggs is 4th (last) at his own. Quincy Riley is listed behind Ike Yiadom. Danny Stutsman is listed behind Demario Davis and D'Marco Jackson.
Long story short, don't read too much into this.
Edge depth
The only other "or" on the depth chart sits between Chase Young and Carl Granderson, both of whom are listed at one edge spot ahead of Isaiah Foskey. Cam Jordan is listed on the other side ahead of Chris Rumph and Jasheen Davis.
I have a feeling we'll see a lot more of Chase and Grando on the field at the same time than this might indicate.
Nose depth
There's no big surprise on the interior with Davon Godchaux and Bryan Bresee on the top line. The interesting question will be who makes the roster because they're the backup nose tackle. At this point it seems to be something of a competition between veteran Khalen Saunders and second-year pro Khristian Boyd, who has played exclusively at the nose to this point in camp.
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Returners
I'm a Dante Pettis fan. I don't know if he'll make the roster out of camp, but I'd be stunned if he doesn't at last stick around on the practice squad (assuming he doesn't have a better offer elsewhere). He's listed as the backup returner for both punts and kickoffs here and i think taking some of that load off of Shaheed will be important. It'll be interesting to watch who else slots in on returns throughout the preseason.