Popping out of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints’ extensive receiver room consisted of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and depth items. The Saints didn’t make a transfer at receiver in that draft, and the shortage of depth shortly confirmed its face throughout the common season.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 28: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints appears to be like on throughout the second half of the NFL 2025 recreation towards the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photograph by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
In fact, the Saints would commerce for Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos earlier than the beginning of Week 1, however additionally they made the numerous choice to commerce Rashid Shaheed because the deadline approached.
Whereas Olave got here out of the 2025 season as a winner, enjoying in 16 video games and recording 1,163 yards with 9 touchdowns, no different wideout logged greater than 300 yards. To not low cost Vele, nevertheless, who got here on robust for New Orleans to finish the season.
Regardless of the success of Olave and the emergence of Vele earlier than the harm, it was clear the Saints wanted so as to add to their receiver corps throughout the offseason. However to everybody’s shock, they stayed quiet in that division throughout free company. New Orleans wasn’t afraid to make strikes throughout the free company signing interval, so it was much more puzzling once they didn’t add any receivers throughout that span. However it might turn out to be clear why after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Solar Devils extensive receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) towards the Texas Tech Crimson Raiders at Mountain America Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos
The Saints ended the draft by including three extensive receivers, highlighted by drafting Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson with the eighth total decide. Tyson alone was a large enchancment for New Orleans’ receiving corps. He’s the proper complement to Olave, being a goal that might battle by contact to make the catch. The Arizona State receiver was the second receiver taken off the board throughout the draft, however he has essentially the most expertise out of your complete 2026 receiver class, if he can keep wholesome.
The Saints weren’t too apprehensive about ready down the board to proceed including targets for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. With their third-round decide, New Orleans took a high-upside tight finish in Oscar Delp. The Georgia tight finish wasn’t ultra-productive in school. He logged round 20 catches per season during the last three years, accumulating a complete of 854 yards and 9 touchdowns. Regardless of a scarcity of manufacturing, he is a wonderful athlete and will develop tremendously for New Orleans with correct teaching.
Only one spherical later, the Saints would proceed their transforming, drafting NDSU receiver Bryce Lance. The FCS receiver could not have confronted the perfect competitors in his school profession, however he has a robust mixture of athleticism and manufacturing. At 6-foot-3, Lance runs a 4.34 40-yard sprint and logged 1,000+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons with the Bison, logging 27 complete touchdowns in that span.
FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrates a landing catch towards the Montana State Bobcats throughout the Division I FCS Soccer Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photograph by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Photos) NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Photos
The ultimate transfer for the Saints within the receiver room was LSU speedster Barion Brown, who was introduced as a kick returner throughout his choice. Regardless of being labeled a kick returner, Brown has a 4.40 40-time and provides extra pace for the Saints offense. He additionally had constant manufacturing all through his school profession within the SEC, logging 2,060 receiving yards in 4 seasons.
Shough seemed good to shut out the 2025 season. Ok in order that they’re making ready a future for him and giving him the weapons he wants. After seeing him succeed with Brandin Cooks as WR3 on the depth chart, New Orleans knew it was time to present their younger standout passer the right weapons for him to search out success within the league.
Shough now has a confirmed star in Olave and a shiny new toy with Tyson. Juwan Johnson was a dependable goal for the then-rookie quarterback in 2025, logging almost 900 yards, so that they went out and acquired Shough one other receiving tight finish. And within the midst of including all these items within the draft, the Saints deliberate forward, buying and selling for former second-round receiver Ja’Lynn Polk throughout the 2025 season and selecting up Trey Palmer. There’s a ton of pace now within the Saints’ receiver room.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 04: Tyler Shough #6 and Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints react after Shough’s landing throughout the second quarter of the sport towards the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photograph by Todd Kirkland/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
The Saints’ extensive receiver room has gone from struggling to search out contributing items to including a lot expertise that there can be onerous choices on who will get to remain on the ultimate 53-man roster. Nevertheless, most of New Orleans’ new weapons are unproven, however one factor is evident: they’re able to construct round their younger quarterback.
