Charlie Campbell
Saints Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia – Round 3 
Delp was an underrated prospect because he went underutilized at Georgia. In Brock Bowers’ final season with Georgia, Bowers went out for some time with an injury, and Delp took advantage of the opportunity to show that he was a pro prospect in his own right. During Bowers’ injury, Delp filled in well and flashed in other games with Bowers. Delp totaled 24 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 2 tight end. In 2024, with Bowers in the NFL, Delp was underutilized, and the Georgia passing offense was very inconsistent. Delp had 19 receptions for 230 yards and four touchdowns. Delp had a similar season as a senior with 20 catches for 261 yards and one touchdown. However, Delp showed a good skill set with an excellent performance at the Bulldogs pro day.
For the NFL, Delp has the potential to contribute as a receiving tight end with the skill set to develop into a starter. Delp is an athletic and quick tight end who can challenge defenses down the middle seam or along the sideline. He has the speed and fluidity as a route-runner to create separation and is a natural hands catcher. With a burst in the second level, Delp can accelerate away from defenders and is a threat to create some chunk gains. Delp could stand to get more elusive as a runner and use his size to power through defensive backs. With his receiving ability, Delp could be a nice contributor as an F tight end for a pro offense.
Delp is a willing blocker, and he competes. Many tight ends don’t give a good effort as blockers, but Delp does. He fights and battles, but does need to get stronger for blocking pro edge defenders and linebackers. Delp has potential, but needs more power and development to be reliable as a pass protector and blocking the C-gap.
The Saints have a pair of solid veterans in Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant, but neither one is a long-term starter. After Delp develops behind them, I think he could take over as a solid starter in Kellen Moore’s offense and provide them with a good receiving tight end to help Tyler Shough.
2025: Tyler Shough, QB
2024: Kool-Aid McKinstry, DT
2023: Bryan Bresee
2022: Chris Olave
2021: Payton Turner
2020: Cesar Ruiz
2019: None
2018: Tre’quan Smith, WR
2017: Ryan Ramczyk, OT
2016: Sheldon Rankins, DT
2015: Hau-Oli Kikaha, LB
2014: Khairi Fortt, LB
2013: Kenny Vaccaro, S
Most Likely To Bust
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia – Round 2 The Saints bolstered the interior of their defensive line when they selected Miller in the second round. For the NFL, Miller is a strong and tough run defender at the point of attack, who is a reliable nose tackle on the inside of the defensive line. He is adept at stacking blocks at the point of attack and maintaining his gap integrity. Miller plays with good leverage, which makes it hard for blockers to push him back, and he does a good job of shedding blocks to pursue ball carriers. Miller could stand to improve his base to handle double teams and bump blocks from pro linemen.
In the pass rush, Miller shows a nice burst to close when he gets free, and he fights hard through the whistle. Miller is not a dynamic rusher who will overwhelm guards with power or devastating speed. Hence, he may not be a starter in the sub package in the NFL, and his lack of pass rush production could lead to him being a solid starting nose tackle, but not a special starter.
The Saints have some quality defensive tackles in Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd, but they see Miller as a long-term starter to select him in the second round. I think Miller is going to be more of a backup tackle who helps as a run defender, but is too limited as a pass rusher to become a three-down starter. Topping out as just a backup would be disappointing for a second-round pick, and of their early-round picks, I see the most bust potential with Miller.
2025: Jonas Sanker, S
2024: None
2023: Isaiah Foskey, DE
2022: Alontae Taylor, CB
2021: Ian Book, QB
2020: Zach Baun, LB
2019: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S
2018: Rick Leonard, OT
2017: Alex Anzalone, LB
2016: Vonn Bell, S
2015: Stephone Anthony, LB
2014: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB
2013: Terron Armstead, OT
Potential Boom Pick
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State – Round 1 
The Saints entered the offseason with a huge need for receiving weapons to help second-year starter Tyler Shough, and New Orleans was fortunate that Tyson made it to the 8th overall-pick. Tyson was the best receiver in the draft according to many teams and a number of teams picking in the top seven could end up regretting passing on him, especially the Titans, Giants, Chiefs, and Commanders. With the Saints, Tyson looks like a plug-and-play starter who could provide an immediate impact.
Tyson has a good skill set and some natural receiving ability for the NFL. What really stands out about Tyson is he is an excellent route-runner. Tyson is a smooth route-runner who doesn’t take false steps and has a phenomenal burst out of his break. With his explosion off his cuts, Tyson consistently creates separation from defensive backs. Tyson ate up man coverage, especially in 2024, and has a sudden twitch to dart into his route and get past defensive backs.
After the catch, Tyson is a dangerous runner. He shows some strength to break tackles and uses his easy acceleration to dart into openings. Tyson shows some elusiveness and will dodge and weave around defenders to get extra yardage. Tyson also has strong hands and looks very natural catching the ball. With his quick feet and polished route-running, Tyson has the potential to be a quick contributor in the NFL.
Tyson has a nice combination of size and speed for the NFL. While he is not overly big, he is a feisty receiver who will outfight defensive backs for 50-50 passes. Tyson has quality height, length, weight, and strength to battle pro cornerbacks. Tyson does not have mismatch size like a Mike Evans, and is not fast like an elite speed receiver like Tyreek Hill or Jameson Williams, but Tyson is a balanced receiver.
Veteran receiver Chris Olave is the No. 1 receiver entering the 2026 season, but Olave has had durability issues and is nearing the end of his contract. Tyson could take over as the Saints No. 1 option come 2027 and he could be a devastating receiver with his ability to create separation and get open. I think Tyson has real boom pick potential for New Orleans.
2025: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT
2024: Taliese Fuaga, OT
2023: Kendre Miller, RB
2022: Trevor Penning, OT
2021: Paulson Adebo, CB
2020: Adam Trautman, TE
2019: Erik McCoy, C
2018: Marcus Davenport, DE
2017: Marshon Lattimore, CB
2016: Michael Thomas, WR
2015: Andrus Peat, OT
2014: Brandin Cooks, WR
2013: John Jenkins, DT
Future Depth Player
Jeremiah Wright, G, Auburn – Round 4 
The Saints have veteran guards in free agent addition David Edwards and holdover Cesar Ruiz, with former Titan Dillon Radunz also in place to man the guard position, so Wright is not a candidate to start immediately. While those veterans are solid players, they aren’t stars, and Wright could prove to be a good backup. He was a solid run blocker for Auburn last season and reliable in pass protection. Wright could have gone on day two, and he was a solid value for the Saints in the fourth round. Even if he doesn’t ascend into being a starter, Wright should at least be a solid backup at the NFL level.
2025: Danny Stutsman, LB
2024: Spencer Rattler, QB
2023: Jake Haener, QB
2022: D’Marco Jackson, LB
2021: Pete Werner, LB
2020: Tommy Stevens, QB
2019: Alize Mack, TE
2018: Natrell Jamerson, S
2017: Alvin Kamara, RB
2016: David Onyemata, DL
2015: Garrett Grayson, QB
2014: Ron Powell, OLB
2013: Kenny Stills, WR
Walt
