The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 season with a clean slate at the start of their rebuild, but they left it with a potential franchise quarterback and plenty to build on heading into the offseason.
Tyler Shough showed signs of potential greatness as a rookie, and while there is a long way to go, he did more than enough to get the organization to buy into him and do everything in its power to set him up to succeed this offseason.
That was the first priority for the Saints coming into this offseason, and it was clear in their draft focus as well. Even after Carnell Tate went off the board at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans, the Saints still went with a wide receiver at No. 8 and picked Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State.
How did New Orleans do with the Tyson pick and with the rest of its draft? Let’s give out some grades.
Round 1, Pick 8: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Grade: A-
Shough built some excellent chemistry with Chris Olave during his rookie season, but the Saints lacked a true go-to weapon outside of the former Ohio State star. They have one now in Tyson, who skill for skill may very well be the best wide receiver in the class. The former Arizona State star is explosive and twitchy, with the ability to do damage at the catch point and after the catch. He complements Olave well and should start from day one in New Orleans.
Medical concerns, including a serious knee injury suffered back in 2022 and a recurring hamstring injury that plagued him in 2025, knocked Tyson down some teams’ boards and hurt his grade here. But if he is healthy, this is a home run pick for the Saints.
Round 2, Pick 42: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Grade: A-
Miller was one of the standouts on a very good Georgia defense in 2025, and he should slot into Brandon Staley’s defense right away in 2026. He can play anywhere on the interior and prides himself on being able to move around the formation, as well as being stout against the run and the pass.
Defensive tackle is a very shallow position for the Saints, with Devon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd as the current starters. It wouldn’t at all be a surprise to see Miller, who was viewed as a potential first-round pick in this draft, occupy one of those spots before too long.
Round 3, Pick 73: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
Grade: B+
This is a high-upside pick, as Delp was drafted a little lower than his talent suggested he could have been because Georgia didn’t target him in the passing game all that much. However, he is a fluid mover with good hands and the ability to get open against all kinds of matchups. When he was a big part of the gameplan for the Bulldogs, he was a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Delp also spent a lot of his time on the line of scrimmage, so he will be able to play in a more balanced scheme like the one that Moore wants to run. Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant make it a bit of a crowded depth chart, but expect New Orleans to find some reps for Delp as a rookie.
Round 4, Pick 132: Jeremiah Wright, OG, Auburn
Grade: C
Wright is a former defensive tackle who transitioned to the offensive side of the ball as a road-grater at guard. He was a standout on an Auburn offensive line that struggled mightily against the majority of the SEC this season. While Wright brings good size and strength at guard, this was a bit of a reach for someone who doesn’t fit Kellen Moore’s system well enough to justify it.
Round 4, Pick 136: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
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Grade: A
The Saints came into this draft with a major need at wide receiver, and Lance is the second of three that they are taking a chance on. After drafting an NFL-ready receiver like Tyson in the first round, Lance is exactly the kind of high-upside gamble that New Orleans can afford to take here. Lance is an athletic freak who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at taller than 6-foot-3. He was very productive at the FCS level, with more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in college.
The level of competition will be a big jump for Lance and is a legitimate concern, but he will have time to adjust and is more than athletic enough to make the jump.
Round 5, Pick 172: Lorenzo Styles Jr., CB, Ohio State
Grade: B-
Cornerback depth has become more and more important in recent years, and the Saints add a good one in Styles here. He didn’t quite get drafted as high as his brother in the top 10, but Lorenzo Styles is a freak athlete who brings a ton of experience to a defense just like Sonny does. He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash and has experience both playing in the nickel and on the outside.
Round 6, Pick 190: Barion Brown, WR, LSU
Grade: C+
Brown is a talented player who was hurt by the sinking ship that was the LSU offense this past season, with a ton of speed and explosiveness after the catch. However, drafting four pass-catchers in a single draft when you have defensive needs like the Saints do is a little bit overkill, and it will be hard for Brown to find the field on offense as a rookie.
This pick does get a bit of a boost because Brown was arguably the best kick returner in college football and should provide an immediate boost on special teams for the Saints. He has six career kickoff return touchdowns, so expect to see him in that role as a rookie.
Round 7, Pick 219: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
Grade: C
Hall will be battling for a roster spot in camp and could end up on the practice squad, but he is an experience cornerback who had 13 pass breakups last season for a very good Iowa secondary. The Hawkeyes have a history of producing NFL corners, so maybe the Saints found a diamond in the rough in the seventh round.
The post Saints’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.
