NFL

We'll call him a deep sleeper. A deep, deep, deep one. Smith is "competing" with Charles Brown and third-rounder Terron Armstead, but is a distant third. Smith did get some first-team reps in OTAs, but he isn't even a lock for a roster spot. The Saints will be in trouble if they need Smith to start games this season.

Vilma is playing the weak-inside position, while Lofton is the strong-side inside linebacker or "Mike." David Hawthorne doesn't appear to be pushing Vilma, who is superior in terms of both range and coverage. Lofton led the Saints in tackles (123) last season and figures to do so again this year.

Butler tore his ACL in Wednesday's minicamp practice on a collision with Mark Ingram. He'll almost certainly be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Martez Wilson is in the driver's seat for the starting SAM linebacker spot opposite Junior Galette. Butler's injury may force the Saints to keep Will Smith.

After showing significant pass-rush potential in a part-time role with the Cowboys over the last four seasons, Butler went shopping for playing time in free agency. He landed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Saints and was expected to start at SAM linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme. He would have been a sleeper for double-digit sacks. Now Butler is looking at a season on injured reserve, leaving Martez Wilson as the next man up. The injury happened during a collision with Mark Ingram during what was supposed to be a non-contact practice.

The Saints brought in Ryan to fix their defense, which gave up a league-worst 147.6 yards per game rushing last season. He in turn brought in Coleman, who will play on early downs as a situational run stuffer. Coleman missed nine games while with the Cowboys last season due to a torn triceps.

Carr, 30, spent most of last season as a reserve slot corner and special teams player in San Diego. He'll compete for a similar role in New Orleans.

A fifth-round rookie out of Oklahoma, Stills is behind both Joe Morgan and Nick Toon. There's significantly more Dynasty appeal here than redraft. Stills fits in both the "Z" and slot positions, and both Lance Moore/Marques Colston are entering their age-30 seasons.