The New Orleans Saints fell to 2-10 on the season after a 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. It was another tough result in a season full of them, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom in the Superdome. A couple of young players gave the Saints something to build on, even as long-standing issues-particularly up front-continued to hold the team back.
📈 Up: WR Devaughn Vele
Let’s start with the brightest spot of the day: Devaughn Vele. The second-year wideout had his breakout performance, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for New Orleans.
Vele caught all eight of his targets for 93 yards and a touchdown, emerging as rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s most trusted option. This wasn’t just a stat-padding performance-Vele made himself available when plays broke down and consistently won in the short and intermediate areas of the field.
At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Vele brings a physical profile the Saints have been missing since the decline of Michael Thomas. After the team moved on from Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, there was a clear void at receiver-especially someone who could work the middle of the field and give the quarterback a big target in traffic.
Chris Olave has been solid this year, but his role is more about stretching the field and creating space, not necessarily being a possession receiver over the middle. Vele filled that gap in a big way on Sunday.
This was a performance that felt less like a one-off and more like a glimpse of what could be. If Vele continues to build chemistry with Shough, the Saints may have found a legitimate long-term piece at wide receiver.
📈 Up: QB Tyler Shough
Now, this one might raise some eyebrows. Tyler Shough’s stat line wasn’t perfect-two touchdowns, one interception, and a lost fumble-but the rookie quarterback continues to show flashes that suggest there’s real upside here.
Yes, the Saints haven’t cracked 20 points since he took over, and yes, he had another pick on a two-point conversion that won’t show up in the box score. But context matters.
Shough was under pressure all afternoon, and still managed to deliver some impressive throws, including a couple of off-platform completions that showcased his arm strength and improvisational ability. These are the kinds of traits that can’t be taught-you either have them or you don’t. And while the consistency isn’t there yet, the tools are.
The Saints are likely headed for a top-three pick in April, and that means quarterback will be on the table. But Shough is making it a conversation, not a foregone conclusion. That’s a credit to him, especially considering the circumstances he’s playing under.
📉 Down: Offensive Line
And here’s where the wheels start to come off. The Saints’ offensive line continues to be a major liability, and Sunday was no exception. Shough was sacked four times, and while some of that falls on a young quarterback still learning to navigate NFL pressure, a lot of it was simply poor protection.
The right side of the line struggled, with Taliese Fuaga earning a 59.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. On the left, rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. didn’t fare much better with a 52.4.
But the lowest grade of the day belonged to veteran guard Dillon Radunz, who clocked in at 45.5. That’s the kind of performance that disrupts everything-from the run game to the quarterback’s timing to the play-calling rhythm.
The Saints have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent drafts, spending first-round picks in each of the last two years. But so far, the return on that investment hasn’t materialized.
Whether it’s missed assignments, poor technique, or simply getting outmuscled, the O-line is holding this offense back. And when you’re trying to evaluate a rookie quarterback, that’s a problem.
Bottom Line
At 2-10, the Saints are staring down a long offseason and some big decisions. But Sunday’s loss wasn’t without its silver linings.
Devaughn Vele looks like a legitimate weapon. Tyler Shough continues to show flashes of a starting-caliber quarterback.
And while the offensive line remains a glaring weakness, the team has a few young pieces worth building around.
The season may be lost in the standings, but for a franchise in transition, these final few weeks are about more than wins and losses. They’re about identifying who’s part of the future-and who isn’t.