Sixth-round draft pick and wide receiver Barion Brown has taken New Orleans Saints training camp by storm, but he isn’t the only standout from the team’s recent padded practices. As the Saints head into their day off before another pair of days in pads, here are some players that have been catching eyes.
WR Barion Brown
The wideout has been the talk of camp so far, and the whispers have turned to shouts over the course of the last couple of practices. On the sixth practice day, Brown dropped a deep pass downfield from quarterback Spencer Rattler early in the workday.
He and fellow wideout Chris Olave checked in on the sideline and then later in the day, Brown reeled in a deep pass down the left sideline from Rattler.
In practice day seven, he followed up with another electric performance, reeling in a deep pass for a touchdown that was very similar to the drop from the day before. It’s been more than just home run hits for the rookie receiver, it’s been the progress and variety of impact that have so many buying in on his opportunity to contribute in 2026.
QB Spencer Rattler
It’s hard not to include the guy that keeps making the throws to the receiver that’s lighting up camp. There’s no making of a quarterback competition here, as battles aren’t made up of highlights, but Rattler’s shown some clear development and has been hunting the big plays.
A second year in Head Coach Kellen Moore’s offensive system has done well to elevate his game a bit and while it could lead to other teams calling the Saints up, the team should be in no hurry to move him. Having a backup quarterback that can sling it and be comfortable in your system is a big win for any NFL team.
EDGE Tyree Wilson
With a new lease on his NFL life, edge rusher Tyree Wilson has been making the most of his new opportunity in New Orleans after landing in the Big Easy via a draft day trade.
He’s been disruptive, agile around the edge and has been able to use his size and length to disrupt both the run and passing game. He’s proving to be a solid addition for the Saints’ defense as a key rotation piece in the edge rusher room.
CB Quincy Riley
A lot of attention has deservedly gone to starting cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, but his partner in coverage Quincy Riley has quietly had a strong camp.
After an early interception in camp, Riley has continued to show his poise as the ball heads his way in coverage. Knocking passes away or impacting the catch point, he’s been at his most confident so far on the field.
DT Nathan Shepherd
Defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd has been getting a lot of opportunities after the expected season-ending injury to Bryan Bresee. He’s been disruptive shooting gaps in the run game and creating interior push in the pass rush.
The veteran defensive lineman has been a mainstay in New Orleans on the line for several years now, but this appears to be his most comfortable and productive camp thus far. He’s back in the 3-4 defensive role he played with the New York Jets now as a part of Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense, and this role has led him to consistently finding his way to the backfield.
