Saints Have Lowest Depth At Tight End Position In The NFL

As the New Orleans Saints head into their 2015 training camp at the Greenbriar this week, they’ll do so with only four tight ends on the roster.

That makes them the only team in the NFL to have that low of a number at the position.

Searching the other 31 teams depth charts, I saw that on average most had six tight ends with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers having an NFL high of eight.

The Saints were trying to add to that number recently when they courted free agent tight end Jermaine Gresham who ultimately decided yesterday to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.

Dec 7, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

While they may only have four on their roster now, it certainly doesn’t make it the lowest in recent history where at this time in 2010 they only had three tight ends going into training camp.

There are some positives for New Orleans having just four though and it’s in the “quality over quantity” area.

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The team does have two legitimate starters in Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill while other teams may have one true starter and question marks immediately following that.

Watson is currently penciled in to be the #1 tight end with Hill at #2 followed by Orson Charles and undrafted free agent rookie Jack Tabb.

A huge plus is that Watson and Hill are more than familiar with the offense constructed by head coach Sean Payton and lead by quarterback Drew Brees.

Charles is a capable #3 after not having the most glamorous of a career entering the league in 2012 as a fourth round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jul 26, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Orson Charles, right, runs against assistant coach Eric Ball, left, during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

During his time with the Bengals he had 9 receptions for 109 yards and zero touchdowns with most of those numbers coming from his rookie season.

After spending last season on the practice squad, Charles looks like he could move up to the role Hill had in past seasons.

Tabb didn’t really set the world on fire while at the University of North Carolina with his senior year being his “standout” where he caught 21 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

This is where the lack of depth becomes a negative because Charles and Tabb are the Saints question marks after Watson and Hill.

On that subject, I’m not totally sold on Watson or Hill being a huge difference maker when it comes to the tight end position for the Saints.

Dec 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) scores a touchdown past Chicago Bears free safety Brock Vereen (45) during the second half at Soldier Field. New Orleans won 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, yes I’ve read all the articles about Hill stepping up and having a great year now that Jimmy Graham is gone…that’s because really he has no choice.

Since the emergence of Graham in 2010 the Saints, or more should I say Brees, has become dependent on an athletic tight end who acted like a security blanket especially in the redzone.

C’mon be honest, how many times have we all watched the Saints driving down the field and when they get within range has this thought popped in your head, “Just throw it up for Jimmy”.

Even when Graham was considered having a “soft” year in 2014 he was targeted by Brees 121 times which is the highest out of their receivers and tight ends with Marques Colston following at 96 targets.

Wanna know how many Watson and Hill had?

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks with tight ends Josh Hill (89) and Benjamin Watson during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Watson was targeted 27 times and Hill only 20, so the predictions that they’re going to have more receptions and going to have to step up isn’t rocket science.

I’ve used the comparison of last year’s secondary depth to this year’s tight end group for good reason.

When cornerback Jabari Greer was out of the picture, a gaggle of season ending injuries to key players and a gamble on aging cornerback Champ Bailey forced the Saints to play with a patchwork secondary that was the second coming of the Bad News Bears.

Actually the Bad News Bears looked better…

This is the other negative or really concern that hovers over the Saints with the tight ends, which is potential injuries.

If Watson, Hill or heaven forbid both have nagging or season ending injuries does the thought of having Charles or Tabb filling in make you totally comfortable?

“Oh whatever Gene! Payton said we’re fine at tight end and he has all the confidence in the world in Hill!”

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Right…and what else is he supposed to say?

How many times have you heard him say a player is “progressing well” and “getting treatment” and will be ready, then they’re placed on injured reserve or have an injury that has them on the sidelines.

I’m not saying that Watson or Hill are terrible by any means, but don’t be so cavalier and shrug your shoulders thinking everything is okay either.