The New Orleans Saints made a surprising move in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Georgia Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp with the No. 73 overall pick. While the pick raised some eyebrows among draft analysts, Delp brings an intriguing blend of size, speed, and athleticism that could make him a valuable asset in the Saints' offense this season.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Delp has the ideal frame for a modern NFL tight end. During his four-year career at Georgia, he showed flashes of his potential, though his production never fully matched his physical tools. In his final season in Athens, Delp recorded 261 receiving yards and one touchdown, numbers that left some scouts wanting more.
According to Pro Football Focus, Delp was ranked as the No. 215 overall prospect on their big board, making his third-round selection seem like a bit of a reach. PFF noted that Delp is "an intriguing athlete with a high-effort play style," but also warned that his "limited receiving impact and lack of feel" could limit his rookie impact. He's currently projected to open the 2026 campaign as the Saints' third- or fourth-string tight end option.
However, the Saints clearly saw something they liked, especially after having Delp on their radar leading up to draft night. With his excellent speed and athleticism, Delp has the potential to work his way up the depth chart and make a consistent impact in New Orleans' offense. The former Bulldog will be looking to prove the doubters wrong and shine at the next level.
The Saints also selected Georgia defensive lineman Christen Miller in the second round, showing a clear preference for Bulldogs talent. Overall, eight former Georgia players were drafted this year, continuing the program's reputation as an elite producer of NFL talent.
