The New Orleans Saints will be leaning on a pair of rookie wide receivers for contributions during the 2026 season, not including the one everyone expected.
With wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on injured reserve to start the season, fellow rookies Bryce Lance and Barion Brown of LSU will be quickly turned to in order to help shoulder the workload at the position behind top wideouts Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele.
Head coach Kellen Moore sees a rookie tandem of receivers that benefitted from a unique opportunity.
“I would say the way training camp went, they ended up having a lot more opportunities probably than we thought,” he said. “And then they took advantage of them.”
The team began training camp with Olave watching from the sideline during negotiations on a contract extension. Then, an injury to Tyson, and rest days for Vele, all Lance and Brown were catching eyes at camp.
The two players were expected to be more special teams contributors or developmental prospects than secondary offensive weapons. But they each have shown a propensity to provide a larger role.
Brown scampered for a seven-yard rushing touchdown on a jet sweep against the Dallas Cowboys in the preseason finale. That was after a lighting camp with highlight after highlight in the deep passing game.
Meanwhile, Lance showed his downfield ability after seemingly turning a corner about midway through camp. He was among the receivers with the most snaps and targets received throughout the offseason.
The volume of opportunities they both received turned out to be vital. But most important was the fact that both wideouts performed when called upon.
Now, they carry a sense of momentum and excitement into a nearing regular season opener in Detroit.
