Now that the cards have been turned in and the bright lights of the draft stage in Pittsburgh have dimmed, the New Orleans Saints emerge with an eight-player class that feels like a deliberate pivot toward modern, explosive football.
While the early rounds focused on the blue-chip pedigree of Jordyn Tyson and the Georgia "Bulldog" pipeline, Saturday was where Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore went hunting for high-upside speed and trench depth. After the dust settled on Day 3, it became clear the Saints are prioritizing a "track team" mentality to surround their offensive core.
The day began with a pick that felt very "Saints." In Jeremiah Wright, New Orleans grabbed a massive, 331-pound guard from Auburn who is a converted defensive tackle. He’s raw, but he led Auburn with 33 knockdown blocks last season.
With the Saints rarely drafting guards since 2012, this move signals a serious commitment to interior nastiness. Wright is a developmental project with a high ceiling who fits the "mauler" profile this front office loves.
Just minutes later, the Saints went back to the receiver well with Bryce Lance from North Dakota State. If the name sounds familiar, it should; he’s the younger brother of Trey Lance. At 6’3”, he brings a different frame than Tyson or Olave.
Bryce Lance is a high-IQ, vertical threat who thrived in NDSU’s pro-style system. By adding him and Tyson, the Saints have effectively rebuilt their WR room in a single weekend.
Perhaps the biggest headline of the day wasn't a draft pick, but a trade. The Saints sent one of their fifth-rounders (No. 150) to the Raiders for former first-round edge rusher Tyree Wilson and the pick that eventually became TJ Hall.
This is a low-risk, high-reward "Loomis special." Wilson hasn't lived up to his No. 7 overall pedigree yet, but putting him in a rotation with Carl Granderson and Chase Young (and within a Brandon Staley-led defensive scheme) is a masterstroke of roster manipulation.
Lorenzo Styles Jr. (RD 5, No. 172): A former receiver turned safety from Ohio State. He brings elite athleticism and "football IQ" (his brother Sonny went 7th overall this year).
Barion Brown (RD 6, No. 190): The LSU star stays in Louisiana.Brown is arguably the most electric return man in this class, holding the SEC record for kick return touchdowns. He is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
TJ Hall (RD 7, No. 219): A physical corner from Iowa. The Saints have a knack for finding secondary contributors late, and Hall fits the prototype of a special teams ace who can develop into a rotational defender.
The 2026 Saints draft class isn't just about filling holes; it’s about a change in philosophy. By pairing the technical route-running of the veterans with the "Olympic speed" of Barion Brown and Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans has given Tyler Shough an arsenal that is nightmare-inducing for defensive coordinators.
Saturday was about finding the "roux" and the "spice" for the gumbo. With the addition of a mauler like Wright and the explosive potential of Brown and Wilson, the Saints didn't just participate in the draft, they cooked in the kitchen.
Grade for Day 3: A- The Tyree Wilson trade alone makes this a win, but the addition of Barion Brown’s game-breaking speed is the cherry on top for a team looking to reclaim the NFC South.