Depth has become one of the more interesting parts of the Saints’ roster picture, and two spots stand out as areas where New Orleans looks much sturdier than it did a year ago.
That matters in the NFL because injuries can wreck even a promising season. Teams can do everything right with training, practice, and injury prevention, but the league still throws enough chaos at a roster that depth ends up being a real weapon. The Saints have spent enough time in the thin-margin business to know that.
Wide receiver is one of the clearest examples of the turnaround. Last offseason, New Orleans was scraping by for quality options, with Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele at one point the only two starter-caliber pass catchers left.
That picture looks a lot healthier now. For 2026 and beyond, the Saints have Olave, first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, Vele, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown.
One more receiver will be added after training camp, but those five already give the group a much stronger foundation.
The pass-rush side of the defense also got a major boost. DE/OLB had been such an obvious hole that it felt like the Saints might have to attack it early in the draft.
Cam Jordan appeared to be headed elsewhere, and New Orleans had barely touched the position in terms of additions. Kaden Elliss was the lone newcomer, though he is mainly an linebacker and it remains unclear how much he’ll actually be used as a rusher.
Instead of forcing the issue early, the Saints waited. Their first move came in the second round with DT Christen Miller, who has some flexibility to line up at nose tackle but will likely begin as a 3-4 DE.
After the draft, they added OLB Anfernee Jennings and then, in a surprise, brought Jordan back. Neither Jennings nor Jordan has to be viewed as a premium starter, but both make the room deeper and more functional.
That’s the theme for New Orleans right now: not just filling spots, but making sure the roster can survive the long haul.
In Other News...
Kellen Moore Might Finally Get The Saints Weapon They've Been Missing
A hypothetical draft board can change the way a teams future looks in a hurry, and this one gives the Saints a chance to imagine a very different kind of offense. In the seven-round scenario, New Orleans lands Jordan Love early and then circles back for Malik Nabers, a receiver whose burst and route-running would fit neatly into the kind of passing game Kellen Moore has tried to build around playmakers who can win after the catch.
The appeal is obvious because Nabers already looked like a difference-maker as a rookie, and the comparison to CeeDee Lamb only sharpens the picture of what Moore might be able to shape in New Orleans. The lingering question is whether the board would ever break that cleanly for the Saints, because in this setup Nabers is still there late enough to become the kind of value pick that can tilt a draft and give Moore the weapon this offense has been missing. [Read more 🡒]
Former Saints Champion Just Resurfaced In Deion Sanders' Staff Shakeup
Deion Sanders has kept the Colorado staff in motion, and the latest additions bring in two former NFL players with a familiar connection to his new defensive coordinator. Pierson Prioleau and Xavier Adibi have been hired as defensive quality control analysts, giving the Buffaloes more experience on the defensive side after a recent run of turnover on the sideline.
For Saints fans, Prioleaus name still carries some weight from his days as a New Orleans champion, and now he is resurfacing in a different role under Sanders. Both hires worked with new defensive coordinator Chris Marve at Virginia Tech, which gives Colorado some continuity as it tries to settle the staff after the departures of Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Shough Just Sent A Strong Message About Saints Wideouts
Tyler Shough has not been shy about what he sees when he looks at the Saints receiving room. Speaking on Chris Longs podcast, the quarterback praised Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson as the kind of pass catchers who can make life easier on an offense, pointing to their speed, route-running and ability to create plays after the catch. For a New Orleans team trying to build chemistry around its young quarterback, those are the kinds of early impressions that matter.
Shoughs comments also offered a glimpse into how he views Tyson beyond the highlights. He acknowledged the receivers injury history, but made it clear he is still eager to get to work with him this season. The Saints have spent plenty of time looking for more reliable explosiveness on the outside, and Shoughs confidence in both receivers suggests he already sees a pairing with real upside if they can stay on the field. [Read more 🡒]