If the Saints are indeed finished with their 2026 draft class, the direction is clear. This was a draft built on speed, upside, and filling specific roles, even if some of the positional value and timing can be debated.
1. Pick 8: WR Jordyn Tyson — Grade: A
The Saints needed a wide receiver with size, explosiveness, and true playmaking ability, and Jordyn Tyson checks those boxes. The injury history is going to concern everyone, and rightfully so, but the upside is undeniable. Reports from his private workout, where he showed elite route running with burst and speed, clearly sealed the deal. This is a swing on talent, and it is one worth taking at this point in the draft.
2. Pick 42: DT Christen Miller — Grade: C
This is where things get a bit murky. Defensive tackle was not the most pressing need when you consider the presence of Davon Godchaux, Bryan Bresee, and Vernon Broughton type contributors already in the room. The justification seems to come from a philosophical standpoint, with Kellen Moore emphasizing how difficult it is to find big bodies in the league. Still, passing on other needs makes this pick feel more like a luxury than a necessity.
3. Pick 73: TE Oscar Delp — Grade: C+
Oscar Delp is one of the more puzzling evaluations in this class. The athleticism is there, especially with 4.49 speed at the tight end position, but the production simply does not match the traits. There are valid questions about how he was used in Georgia’s offense, but that same system produced Brock Bowers. That raises a fair question. If the system works, why did it not work for Delp? That unknown keeps this grade in the middle.
4. Pick 132: G Jeremiah Wright — Grade: B-
Wright helped himself significantly with a strong Senior Bowl showing, competing well against top defensive talent. He projects specifically as a right guard and should compete with Cesar Ruiz early. Billy Schrauth being on the board makes this a debatable selection, but the Saints clearly trusted what they saw in person. Given the emphasis on evaluation during Senior Bowl week, this pick reflects internal confidence.
5. Pick 136: WR Bryce Lance — Grade: B+
At 6’3 with 4.3 speed, Bryce Lance brings a physical profile the Saints have too often passed on in the past. After selecting Delp earlier, there was real concern that they might leave this draft without a true size and speed receiver. Lance changes that. He is a high-upside athlete who can stretch the field and develop into a matchup problem.
6. Pick 172: S Lorenzo Styles Jr. — Grade: C
This is a pick that makes a lot of sense for special teams right away. With 4.27 speed, Styles has the potential to be an elite gunner and immediate contributor in that phase. As a safety, however, he is still a work in progress. There is upside if developed properly, especially as a blitzer or hybrid piece, but he is not a finished product.
7. Pick 190: WR Barion Brown — Grade: C
Barion Brown fills a very specific need. The Saints needed a return specialist, and he should compete for that role immediately. As a receiver, there are limitations, and his overall development will determine how much value he brings beyond special teams. His competition with Mason Tipton will be something to watch, especially given how strong Tipton finished last season.
8. Pick 219: CB TJ Hall — Grade: C
TJ Hall fits what the Saints want to do schematically as a zone corner, but the timing of this pick is the issue. Cornerback was a need, and waiting until the seventh round to address it leaves little margin for error. Finding a reliable contributor at this stage is always a challenge. Hall may be serviceable, but expectations should be tempered.
Final Thoughts: A Draft Built on Speed and Potential
The Saints walk away from this draft with a C average, roughly a 2.5 GPA. That may not jump off the page, but there is a clear theme that cannot be ignored. This team got faster.
After losing Rashid Shaheed, the offense lacked that explosive element that stresses defenses vertically. This draft directly addresses that issue. Tyson, Lance, Styles, and Brown all bring legitimate speed, and even Delp adds athleticism at the tight end position.
There is also a noticeable investment in special teams, which aligns with what the Saints have shown in free agency, including spending resources on a punter. That attention to detail matters over the course of a season.
This class may not be perfect in terms of value or positional timing, but it raises the overall athletic ceiling of the roster. If even a few of these high-upside players hit, this could look very different a year from now.
