From the starting lineup in Week 1 of the 2012 season, there are 11 new starters between the offense and defense. Click here for the full depth chart.
The first name that might jump out in the starting lineup in 2013?
The tight end worked his way into more and more repetitions during training camp -- part of his first healthy offseason as a pro -- and eventually led the team in preseason catches and tied for the lead in preseason receiving yards.
Now, Thomas has moved all the way to No. 1 on the tight end depth chart, ahead of -- in order --
"It's extremely exciting for me," Thomas said this preseason of his role in the offense. "I've had to battle through a lot in my football career so far and I'm just really excited to be out there playing. The more versatile I can be, the more I can help my team. So I'm just looking forward to doing whatever our coaches and our team needs of me. Just trying to get some wins this season."
At running back,
Hillman led the team in rushing yards during the preseason.
"I would say that the group as a whole is about as good a group as you want," Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase said of the running backs last Tuesday. "We've pretty much said, ‘Hey, this is going to be a by committee-type backfield.’ We’ve never shied away from that and right now those three guys (Hillman, Ball and Moreno) have done a good job of handling the workload."
Also on offense,
Switching to the defensive side of the ball,
"I just love his aggression and his instincts," cornerback
With
For the record, those 11 new starters are Thomas, Hillman, right guard