METAIRIE, La. -- Unlike last year, the New Orleans Saints won't be holding a quarterback competition in training camp ahead of their season opener Sept. 11 on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.
The hierarchy is set with Jameis Winston as the starter, Andy Dalton as the backup and Taysom Hill now technically listed as a tight end (though he should play his usual array of six or seven positions on offense and special teams).
Instead, the biggest roster drama will come from the injury report. Winston, Hill, receiver Michael Thomas, safety Marcus Maye and defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner ended OTAs and minicamp in various stages of injury recoveries.
If all are back by early August, this should be a playoff-caliber roster.
Here's a look at the projection of the 53-man roster:
QUARTERBACK (3): Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Ian Book
Winston was back on the practice field throughout OTAs and minicamp, less than seven months after tearing the ACL in his left knee. He was still a bit limited -- no full-team drills or rolling outside the pocket yet. But he did pretty much everything else and labeled himself "way" ahead of schedule, which bodes well for his training camp and preseason involvement.
RUNNING BACK (4): Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, Dwayne Washington, Abram Smith
The backup spots here are about as wide open as anywhere else on the roster. Washington has been a mainstay on special teams for several years. And that could also be Smith's path to the 53-man roster, since the undrafted rookie was a special teams coverage standout as well as a 1,600-yard rusher at Baylor. But last season's backup Tony Jones Jr. won't give up his spot without a fight. And the Saints have kicked the tires on several veterans, including David Johnson, with a potential suspension looming for Kamara at some point this season.
FULLBACK (0): The Saints typically keep a fullback on the roster -- but it's not a must. Adam Prentice is the leading candidate after appearing in the final seven games last season, but tight end J.P. Holtz could also play a dual role.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry, Deonte Harty, Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway
This position got a much-needed overhaul after the lack of proven receiver depth helped the Saints finish last in the NFL in passing offense last season. Now suddenly they have so much depth that some good players will miss the cut. Undrafted rookie Rashid Shaheed is a contender because of his kick-return ability and the lofty amount of guaranteed money New Orleans paid him. First-year pro Kirk Merritt also made a compelling case with some big plays in OTAs and minicamp.
TIGHT END (4): Taysom Hill, Adam Trautman, Nick Vannett, Juwan Johnson
This will technically be Hill's primary position now that he isn't competing for the quarterback job. But assuming he recovers from his foot injury in time for Week 1, he should still see time as a QB in read-option packages and as a runner in his uniquely versatile role. Holtz and undrafted rookie Lucas Krull are among other roster contenders.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Ryan Ramczyk, Erik McCoy, Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz, James Hurst, Trevor Penning, Calvin Throckmorton, Landon Young
I'm probably light by at least one big body here. Returning backups Forrest Lamp and Ethan Greenidge are among several candidates who could provide that extra depth.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Payton Turner, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Carl Granderson, Shy Tuttle, Kentavius Street, Jordan Jackson
New Orleans will have to make some tough cuts here after loading up on veteran depth in free agency. For now, I have rookie sixth-round draft choice Jackson sneaking in ahead of incumbent Saints backups Malcolm Roach and Albert Huggins, as well as newly signed vets Taco Charlton and Jaleel Johnson among others.
LINEBACKER (5): Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Kaden Elliss, Zack Baun, D'Marco Jackson
Third-year Saint Andrew Dowell was one of my toughest cuts after he appeared in 16 games last season -- almost exclusively on special teams. But Jackson should fill a similar role after being drafted in the fifth round.
CORNERBACK (5): Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Bradley Roby, Alontae Taylor, Bryce Thompson
Thompson is the one player who earned his way onto this 53-man projection based on his performance (and heavy usage) throughout OTAs and minicamp. The versatile corner/safety impressed last summer as an undrafted rookie, too, but began the season on injured reserve before appearing in two late-season games on special teams. However, his name has to be written in pencil because the competition is so deep for roster spots in the secondary.
SAFETY (6): Tyrann Mathieu, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Maye, J.T. Gray, P.J. Williams, Daniel Sorensen
Eleven DBs might be one too many, but the Saints were using all of these guys in prominent snaps throughout OTAs and training camp -- and Gray and Sorensen should play key special teams roles. Ideally, I would also like to make room for newly signed veteran Justin Evans and undrafted rookie Smoke Monday.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Wil Lutz, P Blake Gillikin, LS Zach Wood
Finally, an easy choice. The Saints have another kicker and punter competing in camp, but this trio will be hard to topple.