The New Orleans Saints are stepping into the 2026 offseason with a rare opportunity: a young quarterback showing real promise, a defense that found its rhythm late in the year, and a clear roadmap for how to take the next step. With Tyler Shough still on his rookie deal-and flashing serious upside down the stretch-the time to build around him is now.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Saints need more firepower at wide receiver. Chris Olave remains the clear No. 1, but beyond him, the depth chart thins out fast.
Trading Rashid Shaheed at the deadline created a hole, and late-season injuries to Olave and Devaughn Vele only made things worse. Both receivers graded well-Olave at 79.7 and Vele at 74.3-but when they weren’t available, the lack of reliable targets was glaring.
That’s where the front office has to get aggressive. Shough finished the season strong, ranking 14th among qualifying quarterbacks in PFF grade (75.3) since Week 8.
That kind of late-season surge doesn't happen by accident. He showed poise, accuracy, and the ability to move the offense.
But if the Saints want to see him take the leap from promising rookie to legitimate franchise QB, they’ve got to give him more weapons.
Wide receiver is priority one, but it’s not the only need. Guard and defensive line also make the list, and there's a compelling case to be made for addressing both this offseason. The Saints' interior offensive line play left much to be desired, and while the draft could offer long-term solutions, this is one spot where veteran help might be the smarter play.
A name that’s already been floated is David Edwards from the Buffalo Bills. He’d bring experience, toughness, and a steady presence to a unit that could use all three. Plugging in a player like Edwards at one guard spot would immediately raise the floor of the offensive line-and give Shough a cleaner pocket to operate from.
That would also free the Saints up to focus on wide receiver in the draft, where they can find a young, cost-controlled pass-catcher to grow alongside Shough. Carnell Tate stands out as a particularly intriguing option. His route-running is polished, and he doesn’t carry the same red flags as some of the other top prospects-Jordyn Tyson’s injury history and Makai Lemon’s concerns around speed and size, for example.
Tate wouldn’t just be a complementary piece-he could be a legitimate WR2 from day one. Pairing him with a healthy Olave gives the Saints a dynamic duo, and more importantly, gives Shough the kind of support young quarterbacks need to thrive.
Of course, the Saints aren’t just one or two players away. There’s still work to be done on the interior defensive line, and filling out the second guard spot remains a priority. But if they can land a veteran like Edwards and draft a receiver like Tate, they’ll have addressed two of their biggest needs with high-upside solutions.
The pieces are starting to come together in New Orleans. With a young quarterback trending in the right direction and a defense that showed real grit late in the season, this offseason could be the launchpad for something special-if the front office plays its cards right.