Pro Football Focus Releases 2016 New Orleans Saints Projected Depth Chart

Pro Football Focus released a projected depth chart for the 2016 New Orleans Saints offense. Included in the graphic were the offensive grades from the 2015 season for each player.

There aren’t really any major surprises here, with Drew Brees obviously entrenched as the starting QB and RB Mark Ingram leading the stable of runners from the backfield. Brandin Cooks is still the Saints #1 WR, and newly-acquired TE Coby Fleener is set to replace Benjamin Watson in the starting lineup.

I can’t fault PFF for their projection of the offensive line, but it wouldn’t be an absolute shock to see undrafted FA Landon Turner out of North Carolina beat out Andrus Peat as a starting Guard.

Maybe PFF just doesn’t put a lot of stock in rookies making the starting squad, but it also wouldn’t be surprising to see 2016 2nd Round Pick Michael Thomas out of Ohio State start plenty of games for the 2016 New Orleans Saints. About Thomas, PFF said:

He has prototype No. 1 receiver size (6-3, 212) and displayed big-play ability with 705 yards coming on receptions traveling at least 20 yards in the air. Thomas lined up mainly on the outside in college, but there’s a chance he’s used in the “big slot” role we saw Marques Colston occupy for a number of years. While Thomas isn’t a burner (4.57 40 time), he proved to be strong after the catch with a forced missed tackle on 23.2 percent of his catches in 2015.

That means Thomas could beat out Brandon Coleman as the third WR, or even potentially steal time from slot receiver Willie Snead.

What do you think, Who Dat Nation? What are your projections for the 2016 New Orleans Saints starting line-up (injuries not withstanding).