Saints 2026 NFL draft class is here: Analysis, exclusive interviews & more

Here's a quick look at the Saints' draft haul (scroll downpage for more breakdowns):
- No. 8 (RD1): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- No. 42 (RD2): Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
- No. 73 (RD3): Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
- No. 132 (RD4 via Seahawks): Jeremiah Wright, OG, Auburn
- No. 136 (RD4 compensatory selection): Bryce Lance, WR, N. Dakota State
- No. 150 (RD5): traded to Raiders for edge Tyree Wilson
- No. 172 (RD5 via Seahawks): Lorenzo Styles Jr., DB, Ohio State
- No. 190 (RD6): Barion Brown, WR, LSU
- No. 219 (RD7 via Raiders): TJ Hall, CB, Iowa

The Saints have retained their own picks in the first three rounds. New Orleans' original picks in the 4th and 7th round were sent to Denver in the trade for Devaughn Vele. The Saints added picks in the 4th and 5th rounds in the deal that sent Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks. New Orleans also landed a 4th round compensatory selection (Paulson Adebo).

Scroll below for instant analysis on each pick as they happen and links to the rest of WWL's draft coverage.

ROUND 1

No. 8: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

QUICK TAKE: Buckle up. The Saints passing attack could shift into overdrive this season. That is, of course, if the injury prone tag doesn't follow Jordyn Tyson into the NFL. There was no questioning the talent with the Arizona State star, but he's suffered a major knee injury, a broken collarbone and nagging hamstring injuries in college. If not for a workout at the end of the process to boost his stock, who knows if he's still on the board right now. Either way, Tyson is exactly what the Saints need for a group that struggled to hit downfield throughout the 2025 season. Over the last few weeks I'd convinced myself that it was WR or bust if either Tate or Tyson was available. Tate went off at No. 4 to the Titans. Time will tell if the Saints regret passing on star safety Caleb Downs, who went to the Cowboys at No. 11.

Read more

- Why was Jordyn Tyson in tears on draft night? New Saints WR explains
- Saints land explosive Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall: 'I'm ready'
- Jordyn Tyson on WWL: 'Can't wait to hit the ground running'
- Saints knew they had a 'football junkie' in new WR Jordyn Tyson
- Hebert: Jordyn Tyson has skillset to be 'the man' for Saints

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ROUND 2

No. 42: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

QUICK TAKE: One of the sneaky needs for the Saints was on the interior, particularly when it came to early down run-stuffing. Davon Godchaux was brought in last year to play nose tackle in Brandon Staley's reworked scheme and the results were mixed. Regardless of what his role looks like in 2026, Godchaux is 32 years old and in the final year of his deal. Miller won't be a guy that gets after the passer, but he profiles as a true nose and I do trust him to plug gaps with his 6-3, 321-pound frame. I had Lee Hunter in my final mock draft using similar logic. He'll join a group that includes a former first-round pick in Bryan Bresee and a third-rounder from 2025 in Vernon Broughton, who only appeared in one game before suffering a season-ending injury.

READ MORE

- Christen Miller on WWL: Big-time passion and a killer 'Who Dat'
- Saints add big Christen Miller to beef up defense at No. 42

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ROUND 3

No. 73: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

QUICK TAKE: The Saints have added another weapon on offense and I can't be mad at it. I do feel like they're neglecting a few needs on defense, but it's long past time for the Saints to get more dynamic. Delp will create an intriguing trio with Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant and has a varied skillset to be deployed all over the formation. He needs to really lock in and develop his blocking early in his career. The pass-catching will come later. It's difficult to project because he's never had more than 24 catches in any season, but I do think there's a some Greg Olsen to his game. I envision a lot more 12 and even 13 personnel in the Saints' future after they ran out 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) a vast majority of the time in 2025.

READ MORE

- Oscar Delp on WWL: Saints got a 'steal' in Round 3, and they'll find out quickly
- Saints land Georgia TE Oscar Delp at No. 73 in NFL draft: 'I can do it all'

ROUND 4

No. 132: Jeremiah Wright, OG, Auburn

QUICK TAKE: The Saints offensive overhaul continues with a big boy to bolster the interior. This was a sneaky need even after signing David Edwards. A massive, powerful interior lineman with a thick build, strong hands, and a nasty, competitive demeanor that shines in the run game. He excels as a pulling guard in gap schemes, anchors well in pass pro with a solid base and functional strength to handle power rushers, though lateral quickness and redirect ability are average for the position.

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No. 136: Bryce Lance, WR, N. Dakota State

QUICK TAKE: Wow. The Saints WR room is legitimately bursting at the seams and the Saints have now spent five of their six picks on the offensive side of the ball. Bryce is the younger brother of Trey Lance and at 6-3, 205 is yet another big-bodied option along with Jordyn Tyson (6-2) and Devaughn Vele (6-4). Lance was constantly involved for the Bison, logging 1,000-yard seasons in both 2025 and 25 touchdowns, 17 of which came in 2024.

ROUND 5 - TRADE!

No. 150: Traded to Raiders for Edge Tyree Wilson

QUICK TAKE: The Saints didn't draft Wilson, but they did invest a draft pick in a player who should be able to upgrade the defense -- in theory. The former No. 7 overall pick hasn't lived up to expectations, but he joins a group that already includes a similar bet in Chase Young. The Saints also have a decision to make on whether to exercise Wilson's 5th year option. They have until May 1 to come to a decision. Does this rule out Cam Jordan's return? We'll have to wait and see.

No. 172: Lorenzo Styles Jr., safety, Ohio State

QUICK TAKE: This is one of the picks the Saints obtained in the Rashid Shaheed trade, so it's fitting they landed a player with blazing speed. Lorenzo Styles, the older brother of Sonny who went No. 7 overall to the Commanders, offers an intriguing skillset and a potentially useful piece in the secondary. Styles started his career at Notre Dame as a wide receiver, but transferred to Ohio State in his junior season where he transitioned to defensive back. He logged more than 200 snaps in the slot last year for Ohio State, so it's easy to wonder if he's an option to become the long-term answer at the star position that Alontae Taylor manned last year. My bet would be on Julian Blackmon filling that role for now, but his injury history and 1-year deal would indicate he's not the answer long-term. Styles had labrum surgery after the combine this offseason, so we'll have to track his availability, but he expects to be ready for training camp.

ROUND 6

No. 190: Barion Brown, WR, LSU

QUICK TAKE: The Saints' commitment to adding weapons on offense can't be questioned this year. Brown is the third WR the Saints picked in this class, and he's the third potential return ace along with Bryce Lance and Lorenzo Styles. But Brown feels like purely a special teams play. He's got six kickoff return touchdowns in his career -- one shy of the NCAA record -- five of which came with Kentucky. He didn't test particularly well at the combine, but speed and electric athleticism is clear as day any time you turn on the tape. The dynamic NFL kickoff is here to stay, and there will be more and more examples of teams -- just like this one -- investing in the return game again.

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ROUND 7

No. 219: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa

QUICK TAKE: The Saints used the pick they got back in the Tyree Wilson trade to bolster their CB room, the second DB they've added in the draft alongside Lorenzo Styles. Hall didn't measure particularly well at the combine, but he's a physical player who will look to make his mark on special teams. Hall logged 75 tackles (49 solo), 2 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery across 42 career games at Iowa. In his standout 2025 senior season, he started 11 games and posted 47 tackles (30 solo), 1 interception, and Big Ten-leading 10 pass breakups. The good news for Hall ... the Saints DID NOT aggressively add pieces on defense or in the secondary during the draft or free agency, so there's a clear route to potentially compete for jobs.