Ex-Republic of Ireland international Delap, 34, told BBC Radio Stoke: "The strength of the other teams looks a bit above what we're aiming for.
"As long as where you finish is not in that bottom three you'd take it."
The former Carlisle player has played in each of Stoke's two previous Premier League campaigns and believes year-on-year improvement is a sensible goal.
The Potters have finished 12th and then 11th since returning to the top flight in 2008 and Delap said: "We're looking to improve on last season, if that's by one point and one place we'd be happy.
"We're looking to progress as a team every year."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport