In an exciting draft class featuring premier talent like former Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the New Orleans Saints have a lot of reason to be excited about their incoming talent. Along with Tyson, the team also invested in its trenches, adding former Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller and further bolstered its offensive attack by investing in Miller’s collegiate teammate, tight end Oscar Delp.
However, it’s the team’s sixth-round selection in 2026, the third wide receiver the Saints selected in the process, that could make the first major impact of the team’s season.
Former LSU return ace and wide receiver Barion Brown may very well end up being the first Saints rookie to touch the football during the 2026 season-opener against the Detroit Lions.
Expected to be the team’s primary returner, Brown could receive the opening kickoff of the season and turn it into the team’s first big moment of the season. With a strong return, or even a touchdown, Brown would immediately centralize himself as a legitimate weapon for the Saints.
Brown returns six kickoffs for touchdowns over his collegiate career, one shy of the NCAA record. All six were returned for 99 or more yards. The former Kentucky Wildcat is a true weapon in the return game, one that could help the Saints improve upon their starting field position woes from last year.
The Saints had ranked No. 26 across the league in starting field position, starting at their own 29.7 yard line on average. Brown’s return average over the course of his career alone is 29.4, giving the Saints a strong chance to provide much better starting field position and consistency for starting quarterback Tyler Shough.
Brown’s electrifying ability to generate big returns could put him front and center as the season begins as the Saints’ rookie to have an impact in 2026.
