Saints could double up at wide receiver in NFL Draft

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints have done a lot of homework on wide receivers heading into April’s NFL Draft. Using Top-30 visits, private workouts, meetings and dinners, the Saints have focused on the position heavily this offseason. 

With the depth and talent of this year’s receiver class, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team double-dip at the position during the draft. 

Right now, the team has one fully-known commodity at the position. Top wide receiver Chris Olave is coming off of a career year after becoming only the second player in franchise history to cross the century-mark in catches in a single season. Olave’s 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches are all career highs for the receiver. 

Outside of Olave’s production, the remaining options in the receiver room bring promise and potential. 

Wide receiver Devaughn Vele took a while to get opportunities in the offense, but once he did, he settled in quickly. However, he only saw a chance to prove his value for four games before an injury ended his season early.  Four games was enough to show promise, but isn’t enough for the position to be considered set. 

Behind Olave and Vele, players like Ja’Lynn Polk, Trey Palmer and Bub Means all have a chance to have an impact in 2026. But, none saw a single snap in 2025 due to injury. Promise and potential aside, returning from not playing football in more than a year to be an impact player isn’t something a team should look to bet on. 

The rest of the Saints’ wide receiver room is made up of players that stepped up late in the season when injuries ransacked the position and Canadian Football League star Damien Alford. All of which may bring quality depth to the club, but won’t be viewed as top options headed into the season. 

New Orleans would benefit from continuing to invest in the room and looking to maximize the talent this year’s draft class provides across multiple archetypes of pass-catchers. From big-bodied contested catch winners to run after catch threats and elite separators this class has it all. 

The Saints have a lot to like at the top of their wide receiver room, but should be looking to add to it simultaneously. Taking a pair of swings in a talented draft pool could turn out to be a fruitful approach to this year’s selection process.