The New Orleans Saints are knee-deep in a rebuild, and while the scoreboard might not have tilted in their favor on Sunday, the performance offered something more meaningful than a win: progress. In a gritty loss that saw the Saints claw back into contention late, the team showed fight, focus, and flashes of what could be-three things that matter a lot when you’re trying to build something from the ground up.
This stage of the season isn’t just about results. It’s about evaluation-figuring out which players are part of the long-term vision and which ones might not make the cut when the roster gets a facelift in 2026.
Head coach Kellen Moore and the front office are watching closely. And if Sunday’s game is any indication, they’ve got some interesting decisions ahead.
Let’s take a closer look at the Saints’ top and bottom performers on both sides of the ball from Sunday’s game.
Offensive Standouts and Struggles
Top Performer: WR Devaughn Vele (86.5 grade)
Vele turned in the best game of his young career, racking up 93 receiving yards and stepping confidently into a larger role.
With Rashid Shaheed traded and Brandin Cooks released, there was a clear void in the receiver room-and Vele didn’t just fill it, he owned it. Alongside Chris Olave, he’s starting to look like a legitimate piece of the Saints’ future passing attack.
This wasn’t just a case of being in the right place at the right time. Vele ran crisp routes, found soft spots in coverage, and made the most of his targets. If he can string together a strong finish to the season, he might just convince the front office that he belongs in the long-term blueprint.
Lowest Performer: LG Dillon Radunz (45.5 grade)
Radunz is a bit of a puzzle this week.
On paper, his pass protection was solid-he didn’t allow a single pressure on 48 pass-blocking snaps and earned a respectable 69.8 pass-blocking grade. But his run blocking told a different story.
With a 42.8 grade on 24 run-blocking snaps, Radunz struggled to generate movement or sustain blocks in the ground game.
It’s the kind of performance that raises questions. How can a lineman be that effective in pass protection and still finish with the lowest overall offensive grade on the unit?
The answer lies in the balance. In today’s NFL, guards need to be able to do both-protect the quarterback and open up lanes in the run game.
Radunz showed he can handle the former, but the latter remains a concern.
Defensive Highs and Lows
Top Performer: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (76.2 grade)
The rookie cornerback had himself a day.
Targeted just three times, McKinstry gave up only one catch-for a mere four yards-and snagged an interception. That adds up to a ridiculous 2.8 passer rating allowed when targeted.
Yes, you read that right.
He wasn’t just sticky in coverage, either. McKinstry added three tackles and a defensive stop, showing he’s not afraid to get physical when needed. His 81.3 coverage grade reflects the kind of lockdown performance that makes defensive coordinators smile and opposing quarterbacks think twice.
For a young player still finding his footing, this was a statement game. McKinstry is showing signs that he could become a foundational piece of the Saints’ secondary.
Lowest Performer: FS Jonas Sanker (35.6 grade)
Sanker’s stat line might not look terrible at first glance-three tackles, a defensive stop, two assists, and no catches allowed on two targets-but the missed tackles were costly.
His 30.8 tackling grade tells the story. Missed tackles, especially from a free safety, can flip the field or turn a short gain into a big play.
And while he held up in coverage, earning a 40.4 grade despite not allowing a catch, the overall impact just wasn’t there.
It’s a reminder that in the NFL, it’s not just about what you prevent-it’s also about what you clean up. And on Sunday, Sanker left too many plays on the table.
Big Picture Takeaway
This Saints team might not be stacking wins right now, but they’re stacking reps, and that matters. The effort is there.
The growth is visible. And while the rebuild is far from complete, performances like Vele’s and McKinstry’s are the kind of flashes you want to see from young players trying to earn their place.
There’s still a long road ahead for New Orleans, but if they keep showing this kind of fight-and if the front office keeps identifying the right building blocks-the foundation for something better is quietly being laid.