Saints

The New Orleans Saints continue to add to their 2026 NFL Draft haul — plus a veteran trade acquisition — on Saturday’s third day of the event.

General manager Mickey Loomis, coach Kellen Moore and company clearly prioritized building infrastructure around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough with their middle-round picks.

New Orleans selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall in Thursday night’s first round, then a pair Georgia teammates in defensive tackle Christen Miller and tight end Oscar Delp in Friday evening’s second and third rounds.

[ MORE ON THE SAINTS’ FIRST-ROUND FIT IN ARIZONA STATE WR JORDYN TYSON ]

Next up for the Saints were Auburn guard Jeremiah Wright and North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance in the fourth round, then Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. in the fifth.

The franchise also dealt a fifth-round pick, No. 150 overall, to the Las Vegas Raiders for fourth-year defensive end Tyree Wilson and a seventh-rounder, No. 219 overall.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Texas A&M and Texas Tech prospect was the Raiders’ No. 7 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and has compiled 91 tackles, including 16 for los and four sacks, and forced four fumbles and recovered two during three seasons as a consistent rotation player and spot starter.

New Orleans went on to add Ohio State safety Lorenzo Style Jr., LSU wide receiver Barion Brown and Iowa cornerback T.J. Hall in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.

Barion Brown might be the most excited I’ve ever seen a prospect on one of these calls.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 25, 2026

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS’ 2026 NFL DRAFT CLASS

Rd. 1 — No. 8 overall — Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver, Arizona State
Rd. 2 — No. 42 overall — Christen Miller, defensive tackle, Georgia
Rd. 3 — No, 73 overall — Oscar Delp, tight end, Georgia
Rd. 4 — No. 132 overall — Jeremiah Wright, guard, Auburn
Rd. 4 — No. 136 overall — Bryce Lance, wide receiver, North Dakota State
Rd. 5 — No. 172 overall — Lorenzo Styles Jr., safety, Ohio State
Rd. 6 — No. 190 overall — Barion Brown, wide receiver, LSU
Rd. 7 — No. 219 overall — T.J. Hall, cornerback, Iowa

MORE ON FIRST- AND SECOND-DAY SELECTIONS

—> Saints find high-upside fit in Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
—> New Orleans double-dips Georgia veterans on Day 2

MORE ON THIRD-DAY SELECTIONS

JEREMIAH WRIGHT SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Wright is a converted defensive lineman who spent the past three seasons at guard. He is a wide-body interior lineman with a strong powerful base. Wright uses heavy hands and a strong initial strike as a run blocker to knock defenders off balance. His hand placement can get him in trouble, which could lead to holding penalties. He flashes adequate movement skills to pull and get out on the edge, but his quickness in getting to blocks in space is going to be tested in the NFL. He shows the ability to mirror and anchor in pass protections and can handle a bull rush by absorbing and recovering from blows delivered by rushers. Wright can get in trouble protecting his gap against defenders with a quick get off. He is one of the most powerful linemen in the class but will need technical refinement.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Wright is a ground-and-pound right guard with excellent power at the point of attack. There are concerns about his hand placement and pass protection, though. He has the size/power to go head-to-head in NFL gap and power concepts, playing with a nasty finisher’s demeanor. However, average instincts and a lack of foot quickness leave him vulnerable to athletic rushers and gaming fronts. Wright is a limited athlete with inconsistencies that might not be correctable but he’s tough, strong and has pro-ready traits that should make him a Day 3 pick.”

BRYCE LANCE SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Lance has a great combination of size and speed, running a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He needs to refine his route tree as he transitions to the next level, but he displays good flexibility and the ability to sink his hips at the top of his routes. Lance has a good catch radius, but he has a habit of trying to catch the ball with his body, and that can lead to drops. When he hauls in passes, he easily finds green grass. Lance will have to make a large jump in the level of competition from FCS to the NFL, but he has the athleticism to do so.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Fifth-year senior with two seasons of explosive production as a boundary target. Lance lacks release quickness/short-area agility as a route-runner but possesses outstanding ball skills and positional instincts that allow him to create catch space. He has run-by speed on the FCS level but won’t be able to rely on pure gas to beat NFL coverage. He will have to spend more time polishing up his route work. Lance needs a more intentional route tree on the next level, but he’s smart, has good ball skills and should compete for a role as a backup.”

LORENZO STYLES JR. SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Styles began his career as a wide receiver at Notre Dame before transferring to Ohio State and transitioning to defense. His 4.27-second 40-yard dash was the second-fastest overall time at the combine. At safety, he still is a raw player who struggles to make open-field tackles and lacks some coverage qualities. Styles has good ball skills to make plays on the ball when in position. And he makes up for what he lacks with exceptional closing speed. Styles is a willing player in run support. He has the athletic tools to immediately contribute on special teams, buying him some time to continue developing at safety. ”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Styles has made improvements during his transition from receiver to defensive back over the last three seasons. However, tight hips and a lack of route recognition are a double whammy that slows his departure and limits ball production in man. He appears alert and responsive from short zone and plays with good leverage, which could be something to build on. Styles needs to become a bigger factor in run support, though. His cover talent on special teams could buy him some time, but making a practice squad might be the most reasonable goal at this juncture.”

BARION BROWN SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Brown is a player with average size but impressive top speed. As a route runner, he can stick his foot in the ground and make sharp cuts. His route tree mainly played to his speed in college, coming in the form of go routes, hitches and screens. Still, you would like to see him create downfield opportunities more consistently. Brown can show the ability to idle down and adjust on poorly thrown balls. He had some drops on balls that would have been easy receptions. After the catch, he turns upfield and gets vertical quickly. Brown also is a dynamic return man, taking six kicks back for touchdowns over his collegiate career.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Field-stretching flanker who is light on route and catch fundamentals but heavy on kick-return talent. Teams will need to factor in Brown’s ability to operate as a functional backup against his potential contributions on kickoffs, with league rules enhancing value in that area. A linear route tree might be needed to take advantage of his potential to get open deep or run free after the catch. His speed and return value make him worthy of selection on Day 3.”

T.J. HALL SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Hall started 11 games in 2025, leading the team in pass breakups (10). His top speed is not great (4.59-second 40-yard dash at the combine), which will be his biggest test at the next level. However, he makes up for it with a scrappy mentality at cornerback or nickelback. Hall can have some trouble getting out of breaks at times, but he displays consistent route identification and good eye control in zone coverage. At the catch point, he does a good job competing and contesting the catch.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Low-cut cornerback with fast feet, good balance and a highly competitive spirit. Hall loves staying as tight to the route as possible and supports the run with ideal aggression. He has adequate press strength and is solid matching releases, hugging man routes and quickly closing to tackle from zone. Though he plays fast, he lacks long speed and receivers can separate from him on vertical routes. He is twitchy to close but is more of a responder than an anticipator, limiting his on-ball production. Hall’s toughness against the run helps his cause as a likely Day 3 pick at nickelback.”

Coach Kellen Moore and company took a roster-building page Friday from his former franchise.

The New Orleans Saints selected a pair of Georgia Bulldogs teammates in the second and third rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft as they added defensive tackle Christen Miller with the No. 42 overall pick and tight end Oscar Delp at No. 73.

Miller and Delp join Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the No. 8 overall draftee, as the early members of the team’s class.

The 6-foot-3, 321-pound Miller addresses a major need for the Saints to solidify their defensive front, and the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Delp helps round out the team’s tight end room and adds another big target for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.

Miller was patient in his development during college seeing his role increase each year to ultimately starting the past two seasons and finishing with 64 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and four sacks, as an anchor up front.

Delp caught 70 passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns during his four-year career in Athens, including the past three as a starter for the Bulldogs.

The Philadelphia Eagles notably selected a combined five Georgia players in the 2022 and 2023 drafts, with all five former Bulldogs playing major roles on the defense during Moore’s time with the organization in 2024.

CHRISTEN MILLER SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Miller plays with power and strength as a run defender. At the point of attack, he shows good balance and core strength, allowing him to stay square and control blocks. Miller has heavy hands but is more effective working vertically and pushing the pocket than when attacking at angles. On film, he showed the footwork and skill to work off stunts and twists. Though he has the tools to be disruptive, he could play more violently, specifically against double-teams.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Miller is an even-front nose tackle who can rattle pads and gain early advantages at the point of attack. He has good stack-and-shed against single blocks but lacks the prototypical mass of a space-eater. He will lose his anchor to double teams and strong angle blocks at times. He’s average at matching lateral movement off the snap but is generally aware of play design and hustles across gaps to squeeze run lanes. He’ll continue to bulk up and should become a good starter who is more consistent than dominant along the interior.”

OSCAR DELP SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“Delp has experience working from different alignments, including as an in-line player. As a receiver, he is mainly a short-to-intermediate target but flashes enough speed to threaten the seam vertically. Delp displays good hands and the body control to adjust to passes outside his frame. He can be effective with the proper hand placement and a good base as a blocker. However, he needs to add more mass and strength to improve in that department. Overall, Delp doesn’t excel in any one aspect but could be a well-rounded depth player in the NFL.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes. His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability. He has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he improves his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher.”

A tear-eyed Jordyn Tyson belted gospel music Thursday in the moments following his 2026 NFL Draft selection and began impassioned preaching as soon as he was tilted a microphone.

The New Orleans Saints appear to have landed themselves one hell of a fit with the No. 8 overall pick — and one hell of a weapon for their second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.

“I’m just so thankful, so blessed. The Lord’s doing work on me. He’s not done. I’m just gonna keep this thing rolling, I’m gonna give it my all and that’s all I can do.”

Here’s every targeted pass Tyler Shough threw and every route Jordyn Tyson was targeted on last year. pic.twitter.com/kuDMh5qn1J

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 24, 2026

The 6-foot-2, 203-pound pass-catcher had been highly praised for his size, explosiveness, quickness, route-running and strong hands, but questioned primarily for a torn ACL, broken collarbone and hamstring injury limiting him during his college career.

But ESPN draft analysts Anthony “Booger” McFarland and Louis Riddick brushed emphatically called the Sun Devils’ star the top wide receiver in this year’s class, dismissed concerns over the injury history and praisied the Saints’ choice.

McFarland, a former LSU and NFL defensive tackle, said he had no concerns and even that Tyson reminded him some of another former LSU and NFL star: Odell Beckham Jr.

“The Lord said it’s gonna be hard, and you have to persevere,” Tyson told ESPN when asked his message to others dealing with injuries and other adversity. “Life is not easy. Keep going, boy. You got it. You’re strong. I promise you you’re so strong. Just keep going. You got it.”

Two minutes of Hines Ward rebutting the narrative around Jordyn Tyson’s toughness:

“I chuckle sometimes because they try to write the narrative he’s not physical … One thing about the NFL is a business. Anything they could do to get you at a cheaper rate, they’re going to do… pic.twitter.com/W4lOp8FFtL

— Justin LaCertosa (@LaCertosaSports) April 14, 2026

Tyson initially signed with Colorado in 2022 and had a solid true freshman season with 22 catches for a team-high 470 yards and five touchdowns before injuring his knee.

He transferred to Arizona State in 2023 and spent most of that year rehabbing before leading the team each of the next two years with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns and then 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns even despite the collarbone and hamstring cut into those campaigns.

Recurring flare-ups of the hamstring strain continued to limit him during the pre-draft process, including sidelining him for Arizona State’s Pro Day event. But he was able to host private workouts for teams during the past week-plus, according to several reports.

Jordyn Tyson is Different

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) April 20, 2026

JORDYN TYSON SCOUTING REPORTS

ESPN, via Scouts Inc.:
“As a route runner, Tyson’s quickness off the line of scrimmage allows him to win early positioning. He does a good job of coming out of his cuts flat and not drifting upfield. On vertical routes, he excels at stacking defenders to get them in a trail position. His ability to separate can lead to pass interference and holding calls. Plus, his strong hands help him win 50-50 balls. Tyson is a threat with the ball in his hands after the catch, with quickness and the ability to make defenders miss. He is not an overpowering blocker, but he gets into position and moves his feet once locked on. His versatility to play inside or out adds to his value.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein:
“Learning from Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward helped unlock Tyson’s production and elevated his draft stock. He’s added size and improved his route running over the last two years, showing he can align at all three receiver spots. He occasionally rushes the route but has the short-area quickness and contested-catch toughness to find chain-moving grabs in high-leverage moments. He’s not a blazer but has enough speed to work down the field. Also, he has the ball skills and body control to win above the rim with timing on 50/50 throws. Scouts say he puts in the time to absorb knowledge and hone his craft. A history of injuries might explain inconsistent competitiveness as a run blocker in 2025. The wiring, versatility and finishing talent point to a WR1 ceiling.”