The New Orleans Saints released their unofficial depth chart for Week 2’s road game with the Dallas Cowboys, and there’s one notable change from the initial roster they shared one week ago.
It’s Will Harris starting at strong safety next too Tyrann Matheiu, not Jordan Howden. That lines up with what we saw in their season-opening in over the Carolina Panthers. Harris didn’t just open the game as a starter and intercept Bryce Young on the game’s first play from scrimmage. He was the only Saints defender to stay on the field for every defensive snap.
Beyond that, things are largely the same. The Saints are still using the “or” designation at backup quarterback for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, though it was Rattler relegated to the NFL-mandated role as their emergency quarterback in Week 1. After the game head coach Dennis Allen said that role could change from week to week as both young passers compete for the job as QB2.
There’s one other position where the Saints are using the “or” designation. Carl Granderson and Chase Young are listed as co-starters at right defensive end. What’s interesting is we didn’t see that reflected in Week 1. Granderson lined up on the right side for just 11 of his 40 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus charting. It was Young dominating snaps on the right side, where he played all 37 snaps. That’s a reversal from last season when Granderson played 846 of his 870 defensive snaps on the right side of the line. Cameron Jordan is the listed starter at the left defensive end spot but he only took 22 of his 27 snaps there.
So this is a good reminder that this is very much an unofficial depth chart for reference purposes, not a set-in-stone pecking order. The Saints will continue to move players around so they can put guys in what they feel is the best position to make a play. Here’s the full thing:
