Training camp is where roster math gets real, and the Saints have a handful of players who are staring at a make-or-break stretch in 2026. New Orleans already has a few clear pillars in place - Tyler Shough is locked in as the starting quarterback, while Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara are set to form a tough pairing in the backfield - but that only sharpens the pressure on the players fighting for jobs, snaps, and staying power.
Tyree Wilson is one of the most intriguing names in that group. The Saints sent a fifth-round pick to the Raiders for him during the 2026 NFL Draft, betting on a former No. 7 overall selection who never fully found his footing in Las Vegas.
Wilson put up 12 sacks over three seasons there, and now he gets a fresh start in New Orleans. The timing matters, too, with Cameron Jordan entering his final season.
Wilson has a real opening to become part of what comes next, but first he has to carve out a role in a crowded edge group that also includes Jordan, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson.
Kendre Miller is in a different kind of spot. He’s heading into a contract year while still working back from the torn ACL that ended yet another injury-marred season.
The former third-round pick has his work cut out for him in a backfield that already features Etienne, Kamara, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson. Once he’s cleared, the challenge is simple and brutal: stay on the field and remind the staff why he was drafted in the first place.
If that doesn’t happen, his time in New Orleans could be short.
At receiver, Ja’Lynn Polk has already given the Saints something to think about. New Orleans brought him in last September while he was still recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery, and the former second-round pick managed just 12 catches as a rookie.
The Saints have also poured more resources into the position since then, which makes every rep matter even more. Polk reportedly had an impressive spring in workouts and OTAs, but camp is where he has to separate from Bub Means, Mason Tipton, and the rest of the pack if he wants one of the last spots behind the projected top wideouts.
Martin Emerson Jr. is another player with a lot riding on these weeks. He signed a one-year deal with the Saints after missing the entire 2025 season because of a torn Achilles.
Quincy Riley is currently the favorite to start opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry, but Emerson’s presence could make that battle much more competitive. If he puts together a strong camp, he can show both the Saints and the rest of the league that his mobility and talent are back, and that his value is worth rebuilding.
Then there’s Spencer Rattler, who enters camp as the likely backup to Shough - but not without a fight. The Saints brought in Zach Wilson, which turned the No. 2 quarterback job into a real competition.
Rattler’s previous chances as a starter were uneven, and he’s no longer being viewed as the quarterback of the future. A strong camp would lock down the backup role and could even help him land another opportunity elsewhere in a fill-in capacity.
If he loses the battle, his immediate future in New Orleans gets a lot less certain.
In Other News...
Ranking The Saints Rookies Who Could Force Their Way Into Week 1
Training camp is where a rookie class starts to sort itself out, and the Saints have a few newcomers who could make the opening-week conversation more interesting than expected. The group includes draft picks and undrafted free agents, and the early evaluation is less about pedigree than about who can handle the competition at their position, earn trust quickly and make the most of the chances in front of them.
Among the names worth watching, some have clearer paths than others because of contract guarantees, college experience and the depth chart they are walking into. A few could push their way into real roles if they translate their traits fast enough, whether that means adding value in a crowded backfield, holding an edge in a camp battle or challenging a veteran starter if the right details come together. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Camp Is Already Testing Kellen Moores New Offensive Vision
The first days of Saints training camp are already offering a look at how Kellen Moore wants this offense to take shape, with Tyler Shough opening as the starting quarterback and a cluster of rookies pushing for early roles. New faces are everywhere in the mix, including first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, while the team also has to sort out how to distribute touches in a backfield that now includes Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr.
There is some longer-term business hanging over camp as well, with Chris Olave still in contract discussions even as he remains part of the offensive picture. And while the Saints will get multiple practices in front of fans, they will do so without Demario Davis, leaving one of the defenses most trusted voices on the sideline as the offenses new identity starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Former Saints First Round Pick Just Got One More NFL Chance
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still trying to find a foothold in the NFL, and the former Saints first-round pick got another look this week when the Dolphins brought him in for a workout. Miami is heading into training camp with six running backs in the mix, so any addition at the position would have to earn its way onto a crowded board rather than walk into a clear path.
For Edwards-Helaire, the appeal is simple enough: he has enough NFL experience to be more than just a camp body, but recent seasons have made every chance matter a little more. He has played in only four games over the last two years, and the Dolphins broader workout session, which also included quarterbacks, receivers and even a rugby player, showed they were casting a wide net while sorting out the back end of the roster. [Read more 🡒]