It was an eventful offseason for the New Orleans Saints. Free agent signings, an exciting draft class, waiver claims and trades, the team did everything it could to build a new roster in the vision of head coach Kellen Moore that will also support young quarterback Tyler Shough.
In the process, New Orleans generated some notable turnover at two key offensive positions, both of which are expected to be the artillery with which Shough succeeds.
Wide Receiver
2025 Initial Roster:
2026 Initial Roster
- Chris Olave
- Devaughn Vele
- Bryce Lance
- Barion Brown
- Jordyn Tyson (Injured Reserve)
New Orleans only kept two of its six wide receivers from its initial roster from 2025.
While Tyson recovers, he won’t be available to start the season, but he is still an expected contributor upon return.
It’s the rookie class of Tyson, Lance and Brown that all lef the way to this amount of roster turnover. The exciting first-year players saw a lot of opportunity during training camp and took advantage of it.
One additional player that may bridge the gap from last year to this season is wideout Kevin Austin Jr. He made the team’s practice squad both seasons, and with Tyson sidelined, is expected to have a contributing role in 2026 much earlier than he did last time around.
It will be worth keeping an eye out on another new face to the position group as well, wide receiver Cedric Tillman. The talented and big-bodied wideout could quickly, carving out a role for himself when he settles into the system.
Tight End
2025 Initial Roster
- Juwan Johnson
- Jack Stoll
- Moliki Matavao
- Foster Moreau (PUP)
- Taysom Hill (PUP)
2026 Initial Roster
- Juwan Johnson
- Noah Fant
- Oscar Delp
- Treyton Welch (Now on practice squad)
Another position that has been rebuilt to be a weapon for Shough are the tight end position. The key holdover is veteran tight end Juwan Johnson, who has a great relationship and standout chemistry with Shough.
Matavao didn’t make the active roster for New Orleans only because of preseason injury that ended his year prematurely. That was a disappointment as he was having a strong offseason.
However, Welch took advantage of his opportunity and initially earned a spot in the roster before waiver additions forced him off the 53 and eventually back to the practice squad.
New Orleans is expected to utilize many multi-tight end looks throughout the season, paving the way for Welch to still be on the active roster.
Meanwhile the additions of Fant through free agency, and Delp through the draft, help the Saints acquire more athletic and versatile options for a position group that’s expected to see a lot of work in 2026.
