ESPN’s latest NFL starting lineup rankings did not do the Saints any favors, and that should be enough to give New Orleans a little extra edge heading into 2026.
Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder put together the leaguewide list, and the Saints landed with a profile that leaves room for debate. ESPN broke down every team by biggest strength, biggest weakness, X-factor and a nonstarter who could wind up mattering anyway. For New Orleans, the headline is clear: the receiving corps is getting real respect, but the cornerback room is the spot that looks the shakiest.
At wide receiver, ESPN pointed first to Chris Olave, who turned a frightening 2024 concussion situation into a massive 2025 season. He finished no lower than seventh among wide receivers in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, and all four were career highs.
The Saints then added Jordyn Tyson, the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft, giving New Orleans what ESPN called one of the league’s best young receiver duos. Devaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Bryce Lance round out the depth behind them.
The concern comes on the other side of the ball. ESPN labeled cornerback the Saints’ biggest weakness, even while noting that 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry looks like a real hit.
McKinstry’s 17 pass deflections ranked sixth in the league last season, just two behind the league lead. After that, the depth chart gets thinner fast.
Quincy Riley and Isaac Yiadom are the only other corners on the roster who played a snap last season, and they’ll also be in the mix with Martin Emerson Jr., who is working back after missing the 2025 season with a torn Achilles.
The most important swing piece, though, is Tyler Shough. ESPN made the second-year quarterback the Saints’ X-factor for 2026, and the reasons are obvious.
His rookie year was better than expected: he was solid in turnover rate, ranking 12th among QBR qualifiers, and he checked in 16th in off-target rate and pass rate over expected. He also got the ball out quickly and didn’t rely heavily on play-action.
Still, the rough edges showed up. Shough took too many sacks, ranking 27th in sack rate, and he didn’t generate enough explosive plays.
That left him with a 48.8 QBR, good for 21st. It was enough for New Orleans to stay out of the quarterback market this offseason, but the Saints’ 2026 outlook - and Shough’s future in New Orleans - hinges on how much he improves.
ESPN’s nonstarter to know is Tyree Wilson, the former No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft. Wilson never fully matched the billing in Las Vegas, but he still produced 12 sacks over his first three seasons. New Orleans traded for the final year of his rookie deal, and he now has a chance to carve out real value in the Saints’ edge rotation and set himself up for his next contract.
The only real pushback in the ranking came on the Saints’ biggest strength. ESPN put wide receiver there, but the case can be made for the offensive line instead.
The receivers have the upside to become the top group, but that’s not settled yet. The line has already produced and still has room to grow in 2026.
Cornerback remains the biggest worry, and the loss of Alontae Taylor is a significant one. Wilson, meanwhile, could end up being one of the more cost-effective additions on the defensive side.
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