New Orleans Saints News

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis remains non-committal publicly on the status of running back Alvin Kamara, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "We're just trying to see how he's gonna fit on our roster. Obviously, there's a resource management element. We'll get to that over the next week or two," Loomis said. The 30-year-old Kamara finished the 2025 season on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, and there have been rumors this offseason that he's considering hanging up his cleats after nine years in the NFL (all with the Saints). However, the five-time Pro Bowler recently said he's excited to work with new RB Travis Etienne Jr., suggesting that he wants to continue his career in the Big Easy in 2026. If Kamara continues playing and the Saints keep him, they will most likely adjust his $10.4 million salary cap number. He's in the final year of his current deal and has missed 13 games due to injuries in the last three seasons, which is why the team upgraded with Etienne. If Kamara plays in 2026, his fantasy stock is going to take a major hit in all formats. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 59 RB in half-PPR leagues.

When asked about whether there is a timeline to get something done with wide receiver Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said, "Obviously we'd love to have something done sooner than later, and I'm sure Chris would as well, but we're not there yet," according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Loomis added that talks with Olave on a potential long-term contract extension have been good, and Olave has been around the building a lot this offseason, which is a good sign. The 25-year-old former 11th overall pick in 2022 out of Ohio State is heading into the final year of his rookie contract after the Saints picked up his $15.49 million fifth-year option for the 2026 season. Olave played in only eight games due to a concussion in 2024, but he bounced back with career highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. If the Saints eventually give Olave an extension, he's expected to demand around $33 million per year. Going into 2026 with quarterback Tyler Shough locked in as the starter, Olave is trending up in fantasy football and should be considered a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 target in drafts this fall.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller's (knee) dynasty value is on life support after another lost season due to a torn ACL suffered in October of 2025. The 23-year-old former 71st overall pick in the third round in 2023 out of TCU has barely made a mark in New Orleans' backfield in his three years in the NFL due to injuries, as he's played a grand total of just 21 games (two starts). Over that span, Miller has accumulated only 127 rushing attempts for 497 yards (3.9 yards per tote) and three rushing touchdowns, adding 20 receptions on 24 targets for 180 yards and no scores as a pass-catcher. It's unclear if Miller will even be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, and he's currently listed as the team's RB4 behind big free-agent pickup Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, and Devin Neal. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be ready to move on from Miller, who has plummeted to the No. 96 RB in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.

New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Bryce Lance could be a perfect fit with his new team. The North Dakota State product was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Although he doesn't have the greatest draft capital as a Day 3 pick, he's a perfect scheme fit for the Saints, who have been looking for a speedy receiver to replace Rashid Shaheed. Lance ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, and he caught a whopping 126 passes for 2,150 yards and 25 touchdowns over his final two years at school. The Saints have a somewhat crowded receiver room headlined by Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson, but we could see Lance stepping into the No. 3 role by midseason. Even if he doesn't start every game or play the majority of the snaps, he offers tremendous fantasy upside as a downfield threat who needs just one or two big plays to explode in fantasy football. With such a high ceiling, he's a worthwhile pick in the second round of 2026 rookie drafts.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together arguably his best NFL season in 2025, recording 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. Olave showed off encouraging chemistry with Saints quarterback Tyler Shough down the stretch of the season. He also finished the year with at least 90 more targets than any other wide receiver on the team, which was a key factor in his consistent fantasy production. While Olave still projects as the WR1 in New Orleans heading into 2026, he will unquestionably see more competition for targets after the Saints used the eighth overall pick in the 2026 Draft on Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson. The overall offensive ecosystem in New Orleans is improving as Shough enters his second season, which could help make up for any production Olave surrenders to Tyson. Still, Olave's dynasty outlook is a bit less certain following the Saints' addition of another high-profile wideout in Tyson.

A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough flashed high-end upside down the stretch of his rookie year. Over his last five games of the season, Shough threw for 1,316 yards and five touchdowns while adding 133 yards and three scores as a rusher. The 26-year-old now enters his second NFL season as the unquestioned starter in New Orleans and should be working with a significantly upgraded supporting cast. The Saints used the number eight overall pick in the 2026 draft on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and signed free agent running back Travis Etienne to a big-money contract in free agency. Shough will have to prove he can produce over the course of a full season, but he appears to be well-positioned for a breakout in year two. In dynasty formats, Shough could emerge as a borderline QB1 as early as the 2026 season.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was a top prospect in this year's NFL Draft, and his landing spot could be conducive to a top-12 finish in fantasy football. Tyson ended up with the Saints, where he should start every game opposite Chris Olave. New Orleans' offense is trending in the right direction under offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore. Quarterback Tyler Shough had a fantastic rookie season, Travis Etienne Jr. was added to the backfield, and Tyson and Olave could end up being the best wide receiver duo in the NFC South. We're not too worried about target share, either, as Shough averaged 35 pass attempts per game following the bye week last year, and that number could increase in 2026. Tyson may initially produce slightly less than Olave, but we wouldn't be surprised to see an even split (or even see Tyson win the top role) by season's end, especially given Olave's concussion history. All in all, Tyson will push to be the top-scoring receiver in the 2026 rookie class, both short-term and long-term. His biggest competition is presumably Carnell Tate, the Titans' first-round pick, who may initially face some growing pains as Cameron Ward continues to develop.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara appears to be on his way out in New Orleans after the free-agent signing of do-it-all back Travis Etienne Jr. If Kamara is cut or retires this offseason, Devin Neal would be in line for RB2 duties and an expanded role in 2026 in his second year in the NFL. After being taken in the sixth round (184th overall) out of Kansas last year, the 22-year-old appeared in only 10 games (three starts) due to a hamstring injury and finished with 57 rushing attempts for 206 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while adding 17 receptions for 104 yards through the air. The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder doesn't have a ton of speed or athleticism, but what he lacks in those areas, he makes up for in size and power. Neal was used in a goal-line role down the stretch last year with Kamara sidelined with a knee injury, and he could be a nice complement to Etienne in his sophomore season. His fantasy ceiling isn't incredibly high, but Neal could develop into a valuable between-the-tackles grinder for the Saints in years to come. He's currently ranked as the No. 70 dynasty RB at RotoBaller.

After a down year in 2024, New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. bounced back in a big way while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. Across 17 games, Etienne Jr. recorded 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns on 296 touches. His resurgence earned him a significant commitment from the Saints, who signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract in March. While legendary Saints running back Alvin Kamara currently remains on the team's roster, the organization's financial ties to Etienne Jr. signify a changing of the guard. Etienne Jr. offers a three-down skill set and should dominate touches and playing time in the Saints' backfield. The offense around him in New Orleans should also be an improved unit in the team's second year with Tyler Shough at quarterback and head coach Kellen Moore calling plays. As he enters his age-27 season, Etienne Jr. profiles as a reliable starting running back option for dynasty managers.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson put together the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 77 receptions for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. Johnson finished second on the team in targets, behind only star Saints wideout Chris Olave. However, New Orleans aggressively added pass-catchers over the offseason, which could put a ceiling on Johnson's upside in 2026 and beyond. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints used a first-round pick on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and added two more wide receivers in the middle rounds in Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. New Orleans also brought in direct competition at the tight end position for Johnson, using a third-round pick on Oscar Delp and signing veteran Noah Fant in free agency. While Johnson should still play a role in his team's offense, his fantasy production is reliant on target volume. Dynasty managers may want to consider selling Johnson now, while he's at the peak of his value.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) doesn't appear to be planning to retire this offseason, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. "I'm excited to see what we can do together," Kamara said of new RB Travis Etienne Jr. Rumors surfaced earlier this offseason that Kamara was considering hanging up his cleats after a career-worst season in 2025 that ended early due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old veteran and five-time Pro Bowler played in only 11 games and finished with a career-low 471 rushing yards and only one touchdown while catching a career-low 33 passes for 186 yards on 39 targets. The Saints signed Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal in free agency, signaling that Kamara's eight-year run as the organization's clear-cut RB1 is over. Etienne has a very similar three-down skill set and is nearly four years younger than Kamara, with a lot less wear on his tires. If Kamara remains with the Saints going into the 2026 regular season, his fantasy value is going to take a massive hit in a complementary role.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele entered this offseason as one of the biggest sleepers in dynasty fantasy football. In his final four games of 2025, Vele had caught 19 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 12.2 points per game in PPR leagues during that span, ranking as the overall WR21. It seemed like he might be a breakout candidate in 2026, but that trajectory came crashing down as the Saints added two receivers in the NFL Draft. Now, Vele is behind Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson on the depth chart, and he could also end up behind rookie Bryce Lance, who has the speed necessary to fill a Rashid Shaheed-esque role in New Orleans. It's a disappointing development for managers who acquired Vele at a low cost this offseason. With that said, he's still worth holding in deeper leagues, as he's proven that he can handle volume. This Saints' offense is quickly trending up, so he could still get onto the WR3/flex radar if Olave or Tyson were to miss any time.

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime was called into action late in the 2025 season, and he handled himself admirably, churning out top-13 fantasy finishes in Weeks 17 and 18, but after a busy Saints offseason, he's been pushed well down the depth chart toward fantasy irrelevancy. New Orleans signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $48 million deal, and with rumors of a potential Alvin Kamara trade growing quieter in recent weeks, the Saints' running back depth chart currently consists of Etienne, Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Ty Chandler, and Estime. While it's unlikely New Orleans carries more than four backs into the regular season, even if Estime does make the team, the traffic in front of him will make it nearly impossible to find any repeatable success. With only 508 career rushing yards and three touchdowns across his first two seasons with Denver and New Orleans, the 2024 fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame has fallen to RB106 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings and is an easy drop candidate for managers looking to free up roster space around their leagues' rookie drafts.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but a frustrating rash of injuries has limited him to only 21 games played and 497 career rushing yards. The Saints spent big in free agency, bringing in former Jaguar Travis Etienne Jr. on a four-year, $48 million deal, and unless they make a move to thin their ranks, it appears that Miller will head into training camp fourth on the depth chart behind Etienne, 10-year veteran Alvin Kamara, and 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal, who handled lead back duties down the stretch of his rookie season. When active, Miller has played a role on special teams, which could be his best shot to stick with the team, but as RotoBaller's dynasty RB90, he is no longer a must-hold for managers looking to clear bench spots for the incoming crop of rookies.

The New Orleans Saints declined defensive end Tyree Wilson's fifth-year option on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis called this "a one-year trial, and we'll see how it goes." During last week's 2026 NFL draft, the Saints acquired the former first-round edge rusher from the Las Vegas Raiders. The 25-year-old pass-rusher will head to the Big Easy after recording 91 tackles (57 solo), 12 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 24 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 50 games (seven starts) over his first three years with the Raiders. In 17 games in 2025, Wilson, the former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Texas Tech, had a career-high 35 tackles (25 solo), four sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Had the Saints picked up Wilson's fifth-year option, it would have cost them $14.475 million in 2027. New Orleans is hoping their low-cost investment pays dividends with a change of scenery.

The New Orleans Saints have selected LSU wide receiver prospect Barion Brown with the No. 190 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Brown was a three-year contributor at Kentucky before transferring to LSU for his final collegiate season. Across 13 games in 2025, he caught 53 passes for 532 yards and one touchdown. He's not a major touchdown threat, but he can still be a dependable depth receiver for Tyler Shough in New Orleans' up-and-coming offense. This is the third receiver the Saints have drafted this year, following Jordyn Tyson and Bryce Lance. Although he's a talented player, Brown will be buried too low in the pecking order to justify pursuing him in fantasy leagues. He can be avoided in most fantasy drafts.

The New Orleans Saints have acquired edge rusher Tyree Wilson from the Las Vegas Raiders, according to announcements from both organizations. The full trade sends Wilson and pick No. 219 to the Saints, while the Raiders receive the 150th overall selection. The Saints have been active in trade talks for a defensive end in recent days, as previous reports linked them to the Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux. Instead of Thibodeaux, the Saints end up with a different former first-round pick. The No. 7 selection in 2023, Wilson has missed just one game through three NFL seasons. He has a modest seven starts to his name, racking up three forced fumbles and 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons. The Saints used the bulk of their draft picks in Rounds 1 through 4 on major offensive weapons, and now, they're bolstering their defense by adding a more experienced rusher. He should slot into an immediate starting role on a Saints defensive line that features fellow 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee.

The New Orleans Saints have selected North Dakota State wide receiver prospect Bryce Lance with the 136th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's the younger brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, and he had a terrific performance at the Scouting Combine earlier this offseason. Lance has the speed necessary to excel downfield, using his legs to gain separation from defenders. He draws some comparisons to Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Rashid Shaheed, two former Saints who have demonstrated a tendency to break off explosive plays. Over his final two collegiate seasons, Lance had 126 catches, 2,150 yards, and 25 touchdowns. He could immediately slot in as the Saints' No. 3 receiver behind Chris Olave and first-rounder Jordyn Tyson. Lance has impressive dynasty upside, and there's the potential for him to deliver some breakout fantasy performances as early as his rookie season. Because of his big-play upside, the biggest concern with Lance from a fantasy perspective is that he could end up being a weekly boom-or-bust, making it tough for managers to decide when to start him.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave finished 2025 as the fantasy WR6, largely on the strength of a 27.3% team target share, and he came into the offseason as the undisputed top option in New Orleans. The addition of Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency will add a wrinkle to Kellen Moore's evolving offense, but having topped a 10% target share only once in his four professional seasons, he posed no major threat to Olave's week-winning volume. The same can not be said about some of the talent added through the first two nights of the NFL Draft. The Saints selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick and added Georgia tight end Oscar Delp in the third round. While durability concerns shaded Tyson's profile heading into the draft, many believe he has the most upside of any receiver in a deep 2026 class, and Delp is thought to have untapped potential as a pass catcher after being utilized predominantly inline by the Bulldogs. Since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Olave has never faced significant target competition. Even while missing 13 games across his first four seasons, Olave's 111.5 targets per season radically outpaced the 53.5 per year average of the team's WR2 over that time. While the Saints have long involved their tight ends and running backs in the passing game, the offense they are building around Tyler Shough will provide answers at all levels of the field and make him less reliant on any one player. While Olave still has a claim as the most talented receiver on the team, the 9.4 targets per game that he earned, partly out of necessity, in 2025 could very well stand as a career-high.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough finds himself in a fantastic position ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Shough had already boosted his dynasty value significantly with an impressive rookie season last year. Installed as the starter mid-year, Shough ended up totaling 10 touchdowns from Week 12-18, and he ranked as the overall QB5 in fantasy football during that span. That type of production in an offense that didn't have very high expectations instantly vaulted Shough into the top-12 conversation for dynasty and 2026 redraft leagues. Now, he's trending up once again after the Saints spent a premium first-round pick on a wide receiver. New Orleans drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 8 overall pick, making him the second pass-catcher off the board. It was impressive to see the Saints get such an elite weapon for Shough without having to trade up. Tyson is coming off a terrific two-year stretch at ASU in which he caught 136 passes for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns. Shough has plenty of key weapons at his disposal in 2026 and potentially beyond. Tyson is under team control through 2030, and while Chris Olave is headed into a contract year, he remains a prime extension candidate. Additionally, tight end Juwan Johnson is under contract through 2027. Plus, we can't forget that the Saints gave a four-year deal to Travis Etienne Jr., who will make Shough's life easier both in the running and passing games. Much credit is due to the Saints for their offensive improvements this offseason. The solidification of their offense gives Shough a steady floor and tremendous upside in both redraft and dynasty formats.