The New Orleans Saints are heating up at just the right time. Winners of three straight, they’ve flipped the narrative on their season - and maybe even on their future.
Sure, the winning streak has pushed their 2026 NFL Draft pick down the board, currently sitting at No. 8, and possibly sliding further if they finish strong against the Titans and Falcons. But here's the thing: that’s not necessarily a bad development.
Early in the season, the Saints looked like a team destined for a top-five pick. But then Tyler Shough happened.
The rookie quarterback has sparked something in this team - not just wins, but belief. What once looked like a lost year has turned into a stretch of meaningful growth, and perhaps, the emergence of a long-term answer under center.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about moral victories or silver linings. This is about real, tangible progress.
If Shough continues to show he can be the guy, the Saints may have already found the most important piece of any rebuild - the quarterback. That changes everything.
So while they may be sliding out of range for top-tier QB prospects like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore, that’s not the crisis it might’ve been a few months ago. Instead, the Saints are now in a position to build around Shough - and that opens up some exciting possibilities on both sides of the ball.
If they go offense, there are playmakers who could immediately elevate this unit. Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is a technician with his routes and a nightmare in space.
He’d give Shough a reliable, explosive target who can stretch the field and turn short throws into big gains. And don’t overlook Notre Dame’s running back - a dynamic, tackle-breaking force who brings juice to every touch.
Either player would add a new dimension to this offense.
On the defensive side, the options are just as intriguing. Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is the kind of athlete who can anchor a defense - rangy, physical, and disruptive.
Then there’s safety Caleb Downs, also from Ohio State, who’s widely regarded as one of the smartest, most instinctive defenders in college football. He reads the game like a veteran and plays with the kind of poise that could make him a leader in the secondary from day one.
So yes, the Saints might miss out on a top-five pick. But they’re also missing out on the uncertainty that comes with needing a quarterback. That’s a trade-off most teams would gladly take.
The bigger picture here is that New Orleans is trending in the right direction. They’ve found momentum, they’ve found a potential franchise QB, and they’re in position to add a key piece - not just another name on the draft board, but someone who can help define this next era of Saints football.
This isn’t a team limping to the finish line. It’s a team figuring itself out, getting better each week, and setting the stage for something bigger. And that’s worth getting excited about.