The New Orleans Saints knew they wanted to add dynamic athleticism to the mix in the 2026 NFL draft, but few would've guessed just how much of it they'd be able to find.
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a Tranewww.audacy.comThe Saints got the party started early with electric WR Jordyn Tyson on Day 1, but he was just one of the the three talented WRs added to the roster as part of this year's eight-pick haul. New Orleans also landed 6-3 speedster Bryce Lance -- the younger brother of NFL quarterback Trey Lance -- and an elite return option in LSU's Barion Brown. They even added some elite speed on the defensive side in Lorenzo Styles, who ran a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
The results leave Mike Detillier feeling like the Saints had a clear plan entering this year's draft, and they executed it to perfection.
“Speed ain’t never had a bad day in its life ... and you see the additions and I think we talk about the new toys, kind of, in the bag for Tyler Shough," Detillier said from Draft Fest Saturday, "but speed, that was something this football team did not have last year, the ability to hit big plays on a consistent basis.”
Deuce McAllister sees the investment in the Saints' young quarterback as likely the most significant outcome of the offseason as the team aims for a return to the postseason after five straight playoff misses.
“That was probably the most critical part of it," Deuce said. "How can I help make the game easier for him and you were able to do so via free agency and obviously the draft as well, and now it’s just seeing how those pieces come together."
The Saints also added tight end Oscar Delp, who was limited as pass-catcher in college but possesses intriguing traits, and spent two other picks on big bodies in DT Christen Miller and OG Jeremiah Wright. In the end, one of the most clear threads with all the additions was passion and excitement for being in New Orleans.
Wright broke down in tears as he spoke to the media and Brown could hardly get two sentences out without shouting "let's go" or "let's do it" in excitement. Delp and Miller made clear their willingness to do the dirty work and play wherever they were needed. Brown echoed the same. High-character players are always the targets and it seems the Saints hit those marks in 2026.
“You could hear it in the excitement, you know, it’s not like I was frustrated, maybe I lasted a little longer, but I’m excited to get to work. … Those guys that are willing to work, I don’t care where you put me, coach, I just want to play — I want to contribute. That always helps," Deuce continued. "And that helps with, you talk about trying to set a standard or having a standard, those guys will meet that standard and hopefully they elevate it for this group and I think, you know, that’ll be important, because everything won’t be perfect. It’s never going to be perfect. There won't be a situation where you won’t have some adversity and so to have some guys that are willing to fight through that adversity is definitely going to help you.”
Hear more breakdowns from Draft Fest -- live from Rouse's in New Orleans East on Saturday -- in the embedded players above.
