Mel Kiper Jr. gives Saints' 2026 NFL Draft class a 'B' despite one mistake originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and the New Orleans Saints, in the first year of treating Tyler Shough as a franchise quarterback is now complete.
With the plan to maximize the talent around Shough, it came as no surprise when the Saints took Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall. It was a good pick and was followed by a few other quality offensive upgrades.
However, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., the Saints made one mistake, despite still receiving a "B" grade for their overall haul. The Saints' one mistake? A lack of an edge rusher pick despite a clear need.
"New Orleans Saints: B," Kiper writes. "... But I was hoping the Saints would bring in a young edge rusher to develop before the end of Round 3, considering Cameron Jordan might not be back (and is 37 years old)."
The Saints got a "B" grade despite not adding any edge rushers from this year's draft class. Though they did add an edge rusher during the draft, it just came in the form of a trade for a first-round bust of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tyree Wilson.
It's not the most exciting addition, but it's not a terrible one either. It cost a fifth-rounder, and the Saints are taking a chance on Wilson bouncing back in New Orleans.
If the Saints managed to add an edge rusher early in the draft, their grade might've been higher than a B. But it was still a strong class overall.
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Tyson was a good pick in Round 1, and defensive tackle Christian Miller wasn't a bad pick-up either. Tight end Oscar Delp in Round 3 was a little interesting, but with the long-term TE room uncertain, this wasn't a bad pick.
Offensive guard Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, safety Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown, and cornerback TJ Hall rounded out the Saints' draft on Day 3.
There's plenty of upside with this class, and a lot of help on offense to surround Shough with the best possible skill group they can within reason.
Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Tyson Brown, Lance, Juwan Johnson, Delp, and Noah Fant now make up the supporting cast for Shough in 2026. That's a good group, and thanks in large part to this year's draft class from Mickey Loomis and company.
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