Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints can use some help at pass-catcher, particularly at wide receiver. Fortunate for them, this year’s NFL Draft class packs a lot of proven players as well as those with impressive potential.
While two wideouts like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State are likely to be among the first receivers taken in this year’s class, there are some very talented mid- to late-round options that could have an immediate impact on the Saints’ offense.
Here are three Day 2 and 3 prospects that could be options for the Saints with a focus on those that are adept at creating yards after catch (YAC) opportunities.
TCU WR Eric McAlister
McAllister might stand at 6-foot-4 and weigh in at 194 pounds, but his brand is more of a yards after catch threat than that of a contested catch player. The Horned Frog’s wideout has great speed, as evidenced by his breakaway ability on tape.
Eric McAlister Cut Ups https://t.co/QCyUrIpQGE pic.twitter.com/MwM5IZAqMZ
— jeremiah🐦⬛ (@NewEraMiah) January 31, 2026
The TCU wideout has had some off-field issues, leading to a two-year probation sentence following an arrest for allegedly threatening a man with a firearm in Fort Worth, Texas.
If he overcomes that, however, McAlister has all the tools to be an electrifying player at the next level. He’s tied for the lead in missed tackles forced last year (27) among his wide receiver draft class and ranks No. 3 in total yards after catch in 2025 with 530.
TCU’s Pro Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 26. It could provide McAlister a chance to boost his draft stock to better reflect his years of production.
Kentucky WR Kendrick Law
Per Pro Football Focus, there were 111 draft eligible wideouts to receive at least 50 targets in 2025. Among them, Law (53 targets) led the way with 9.5 yards after catch per reception.
The SEC will provide a number of YAC receiving threats in this year’s class. Georgia’s Zachariah Branch and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion are chief among them. However, Law shouldn’t be forgotten. The Kentucky receiver picked up 505 of his 540 receiving yards in 2025 exclusively after the catch.
Kendrick Law #KentuckyFootball #NFLDraft
A shifty runner with mature decision-making, Law navigates tight creases well and creates without everything blocked up. pic.twitter.com/bvqescgEu7
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) January 7, 2026
That means he’ll likely have to be a manufactured touch player at the next level, living off of screen passes and quick throws early on in his career. But his steady hands (only three career drops) and explosive athleticism could help him establish a role as a field-stretcher as well.
The 5-foot-11, 203-pound receiver impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine as well. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash while charting a 42-inch vertical leap and 10-foot-8 broad jump. He added the third-best rep count in the bench as well, putting 225 pounds up 21 times.
Toledo WR Junior Vandeross III
The Toledo wideout may not hear his name called during the NFL Draft, but should be a player on many undrafted free agency radars.
Listed at 5-foot-8 and just 182 pounds, Vandeross is likely to be overlooked, but his production at Toledo and explosive ability with the ball in his hands makes him a name worth knowing.
63-yard house call? Tuck and Junior have the connection 📞🚀#TeamToledo | @TuckGleason | @official_Jviii pic.twitter.com/DEc8xOPPcK
— Toledo Football (@ToledoFB) November 22, 2025
The wideout led the MAC in both receptions (82) and receiving touchdowns (11) while piling on 1,008 receiving yards last year.
Among all draft-eligible wideouts, regardless of targets, Vandeross finished No. 5 in the country with 506 yards after the catch. He also reeled in 58.3% of his contested catch opportunities, outperforming players as tall as 6-foot-4 in the category.
His nine drops in 2025 will be of concern. But if a team is looking for a quick and twitchy slot option that can turn short passes into big gains and contribute on special teams, adding the Toledo Rocket late in or after the draft could be a good investment.
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