Coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver room consisted of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and depth pieces. The Saints didn’t make a move at receiver in that draft, and the lack of depth quickly showed its face during the regular season.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 28: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of the NFL 2025 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) Getty Images
Of course, the Saints would trade for Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos before the start of Week 1, but they also made the significant decision to trade Rashid Shaheed as the deadline approached.
While Olave came out of the 2025 season as a winner, playing in 16 games and recording 1,163 yards with 9 touchdowns, no other wideout logged more than 300 yards. Not to discount Vele, however, who came on strong for New Orleans to end the season.
Despite the success of Olave and the emergence of Vele before the injury, it was clear the Saints needed to add to their receiver corps during the offseason. But to everyone’s surprise, they stayed quiet in that department during free agency. New Orleans wasn’t afraid to make moves during the free agency signing period, so it was even more puzzling when they didn’t add any receivers during that span. But it would become clear why after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Saints ended the draft by adding three wide receivers, highlighted by drafting Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick. Tyson alone was a massive improvement for New Orleans’ receiving corps. He is the perfect complement to Olave, being a target that could fight through contact to make the catch. The Arizona State receiver was the second receiver taken off the board during the draft, but he has the most talent out of the entire 2026 receiver class, if he can stay healthy.
The Saints weren’t too worried about waiting down the board to continue adding targets for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. With their third-round pick, New Orleans took a high-upside tight end in Oscar Delp. The Georgia tight end wasn’t ultra-productive in college. He logged around 20 catches per season over the last three years, accumulating a total of 854 yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite a lack of production, he is an excellent athlete and could develop tremendously for New Orleans with proper coaching.
Just one round later, the Saints would continue their remodeling, drafting NDSU receiver Bryce Lance. The FCS receiver may not have faced the best competition in his college career, but he has a strong combination of athleticism and production. At 6-foot-3, Lance runs a 4.34 40-yard dash and logged 1,000+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons with the Bison, logging 27 total touchdowns in that span.
FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrates a touchdown catch against the Montana State Bobcats during the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The final move for the Saints in the receiver room was LSU speedster Barion Brown, who was announced as a kick returner during his selection. Despite being labeled a kick returner, Brown has a 4.40 40-time and offers more speed for the Saints offense. He also had consistent production throughout his college career in the SEC, logging 2,060 receiving yards in four seasons.
Shough looked good to close out the 2025 season. Good enough so that they are preparing a future for him and giving him the weapons he needs. After seeing him succeed with Brandin Cooks as WR3 on the depth chart, New Orleans knew it was time to give their young standout passer the proper weapons for him to find success in the league.
Shough now has a proven star in Olave and a shiny new toy with Tyson. Juwan Johnson was a reliable target for the then-rookie quarterback in 2025, logging nearly 900 yards, so they went out and got Shough another receiving tight end. And in the midst of adding all these pieces in the draft, the Saints planned ahead, trading for former second-round receiver Ja’Lynn Polk during the 2025 season and picking up Trey Palmer. There is a ton of speed now in the Saints’ receiver room.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 04: Tyler Shough #6 and Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints react after Shough’s touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty Images
The Saints’ wide receiver room has gone from struggling to find contributing pieces to adding so much talent that there will be hard decisions on who gets to stay on the final 53-man roster. However, most of New Orleans’ new weapons are unproven, but one thing is clear: they are ready to build around their young quarterback.