The New Orleans Saints have officially flipped the script. After years of being one of the oldest, slowest teams on the field, the 2026 NFL Draft has injected a much-needed jolt of youth into the roster. The Saints now rank as the ninth-youngest team in the league with an average age of 25.78, and their offense is even sprightlier—fifth-youngest overall at 25.46.
It wasn't long ago that the Saints leaned heavily on aging stars like Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan, and Tyrann Mathieu, alongside veterans such as Taysom Hill and Nathan Shepherd. That reliance on experienced but slower talent often left New Orleans looking a step behind their opponents. Fast forward to 2026, and the only offensive player over 30 is running back Alvin Kamara, who turns 31 in July. Thanks to a mix of savvy free-agent moves and a strong rookie class, this offense is already faster and more dynamic.
The defensive side tells a slightly different story. With an average age of 26.1, the Saints rank 21st in defensive youth. While only two projected Week 1 starters are over 30—defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd and linebacker Kaden Elliss—backups like Davon Godchaux (31) and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (30) push the average higher than ideal. But change is coming. Second-round pick Christen Miller, just 21 years old, is the second-youngest player on the team and is expected to take over Godchaux's spot in the rotation.
Speaking of youth, the youngest Saint of all is first-round pick Jordyn Tyson. Born exactly one week after Miller—on August 12, compared to Miller's August 5—Tyson is the fresh face leading this new wave. For context, the NFL's youngest team, the Miami Dolphins, average 25.18 years old, nearly a year and a half younger than the league's oldest squad. The Saints are now firmly in the mix, blending promising rookies with just enough veteran leadership to stay competitive.
Whether you're gearing up for game day or just love the energy of a team on the rise, the Saints' youth movement is worth watching—and wearing.