The Saints were back on the road in Week 3, checking out two college football matchups that gave them a good look at several names likely sitting near the top of their board.
One stop came at Texas Tech vs. Houston, where New Orleans had staff in attendance for the No.
22 Cougars’ visit to No. 13 Texas Tech, according to Keith Inglis of Texas Tech OnSI.
That game drew 14 other teams as well, and it turned into a tight one before Texas Tech escaped with a 28-26 win. Houston kept it close for most of the afternoon, and there were a few prospects who clearly had the Saints’ attention.
For Houston, the names to track were running back Makhi Hughes and quarterback Conner Weigman, both of whom look like Day 3 types. Weigman put together the cleaner stat line, finishing with 283 passing yards and 3 touchdowns while also adding 56 rushing yards.
Hughes chipped in 70 rushing yards on 15 carries and 39 receiving yards on 3 catches. On the other side, Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts, who could go as high as the top 100, led the defense with eight tackles, while Austin Romaine added seven and profiles as a possible Day 3 pick.
The Saints’ other reported stop was Miami’s 33-20 win over Wake Forest, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Miami has a deeper cluster of notable prospects, including six possible top-100 players and a 2028 name worth remembering in wide receiver Malachi Toney. The Hurricanes also have quarterback Darian Mensah and defensive lineman Justin Scott, both of whom are currently viewed inside this year’s top 20 prospects.
Mensah was sharp again, completing 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mark Fletcher Jr., who is currently projected as a third-round pick, carried 16 times for 85 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury.
He is reportedly day-to-day and shouldn’t miss much time. Ahmad Moten Sr., another possible first-rounder, finished with 3 tackles and a half sack, while Miami spread production around on defense.
Toney kept building his case on the offensive side, catching 12 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
In Other News...
Saints Fans Will Notice One Big Superdome Change At The Home Opener
The Caesars Superdome is rolling out a fresh gameday experience for the Saints home opener, and the changes will be obvious long before kickoff. To mark 60 seasons of Saints football, the building is debuting new food and drink options aimed at giving fans more variety as they settle into another home schedule in New Orleans.
Along with a $6 value menu, the lineup includes Louisiana-inspired dishes such as a pork alligator burger and Tabasco wings, plus specialty cocktails throughout the stadium. Suite fans will also have a $60 commemorative dessert on the menu, part of a broader push from the culinary team to make the Superdome feel a little more celebratory as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Fans Can Already See Kellen Moores Travis Etienne Problem
Travis Etiennes early role has already become a talking point for Saints fans watching Kellen Moore sort out the offense. Through the first two games, Etienne has been kept under 10 rushing attempts in each one, a usage pattern that stands out for a back who is supposed to be one of the highest-paid at his position. Instead of functioning like the lead runner many expected, he has been deployed more as a piece in the passing game while Alvin Kamara has gotten the heavier share of work on the ground.
For New Orleans, the concern is less about one quiet stretch than what it might signal about Moores priorities with the backfield. If Etienne is going to justify his contract and become the centerpiece many assumed he would be, the Saints need to see more than scattered touches and receiving snaps. For now, the mismatch between pay and role is hard to ignore, and it leaves a real question hanging over how Moore plans to balance the two backs going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Saints May Be Catching Raiders At A Much Worse Time
The Saints are preparing for a Raiders team that has already managed to open the season 2-0 without Brock Bowers, but the matchup in Week 3 could look different if Las Vegas gets its top pass-catching weapon back. ESPNs Dan Graziano reported that Bowers is more likely than not to play against New Orleans, which would give the Raiders offense a major lift after getting through the first two weeks without him.
His availability still is not locked in, though, and that leaves a little suspense around how dangerous this Raiders group will be by kickoff. If Bowers gets through practice without any issues, New Orleans may be staring at a much tougher version of a team that has already found ways to win early. [Read more 🡒]