The New Orleans Saints are heading into the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: add proven talent that can help them compete right now. And if the predictions from NFL insider Greg Auman come to fruition, they could be on track to do just that.
Auman projects the Saints will target two veterans who could immediately boost both sides of the ball - wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Alohi Gilman. Neither move would be earth-shattering on its own, but together, they could help solidify a roster that’s already knocking on the door of playoff contention.
Keenan Allen: A Trusted Target with Plenty Left in the Tank
Let’s start with Allen. At 33, he’s no longer the go-to WR1 he once was in his prime with the Chargers, but that doesn’t mean he’s done.
Far from it. In 2025, Allen still managed 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns - solid production for a guy easing into a WR3 role.
And when you consider his career résumé - over 1,000 receptions and 70 touchdowns - it’s clear he brings more than just numbers to the table.
Allen’s potential fit in New Orleans makes a lot of sense. The Saints already have a dynamic young receiver in Chris Olave, who’s shown he can be a legitimate top option. But adding a veteran like Allen does more than just take pressure off Olave - it gives the offense a reliable chain-mover, a guy who knows how to find soft spots in coverage, and someone who’s been through just about every situation an NFL game can throw at you.
There's also a familiarity factor at play here. Saints offensive coordinator Kellen Moore coached Allen back in 2023 with the Chargers. That kind of continuity could help Allen hit the ground running in New Orleans, and Moore would know exactly how to deploy him to maximize his strengths.
Alohi Gilman: Underrated, Undervalued, and Potentially a Perfect Fit
On the defensive side, Auman links the Saints to safety Alohi Gilman, who quietly played a key role in Baltimore’s turnaround last season after arriving from the Chargers. Gilman isn’t the flashiest name on the market, but he’s the kind of steady, smart, and physical presence that can elevate a secondary.
At 28, Gilman is still in his prime, and his numbers show a knack for making plays - five career forced fumbles and six recoveries. He’s not just a body in the backfield; he’s active around the ball and brings a level of toughness that fits the Saints’ defensive identity.
There’s also a coaching connection here. Gilman previously worked with Brandon Staley during their time with the Chargers, and now that Staley is part of the Saints’ staff, a reunion could be in the cards. That familiarity with scheme and expectations could make for a seamless transition.
Building Toward Something Bigger
Let’s be clear: neither Allen nor Gilman is going to single-handedly vault the Saints into Super Bowl contention. But that’s not the point. What they do offer is immediate value, veteran leadership, and positional stability - the kind of under-the-radar moves that help good teams become great.
For a Saints squad that showed flashes late last season but needs more consistency on both sides of the ball, these additions would be steps in the right direction. Allen brings polish and poise to a receiving corps that could use both. Gilman adds toughness and experience to a secondary that was already trending upward.
If New Orleans can land both, it won’t be the kind of splash that makes national headlines - but it might be exactly what they need to take the next step.