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ESPN released its starting lineup rankings for all 32 teams in the NFL. No list will be universally agreed on, but the New Orleans Saints should take their ranking personally.
ESPN's Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder were asked to compile their rankings. Each team has its biggest strength, weakness, X-factor, and nonstarters who could end up being key players, explained.
The Saints came in at number 26.
Biggest strength: Wide receiver. We'll start with Chris Olave, who went from potentially career-threatening concussion woes in 2024 to a career season in 2025, in which he finished no lower than seventh among wide receivers in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns (all were career highs). The 26-year-old will be joined by Jordyn Tyson -- the eighth pick of this year's draft -- setting up New Orleans with one of the league's best, young WR duos. Devaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Bryce Lance add depth.
Biggest weakness: Cornerback. The good news is that the Saints seem to have found something in 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, whose 17 pass deflections were sixth in the league last season and two off the league lead. The concern is that second-year man Quincy Riley and journeyman Isaac Yiadom are the only other corners on the roster who played a snap last season. They'll compete with newcomer Martin Emerson Jr., who is on the comeback trail after missing the 2025 season because of a torn Achilles.
X factor for 2026: QB Tyler Shough. His rookie season went better than expected, with Shough solid in turnover rate (12th best among QBR qualifiers) and accuracy (16th best in off-target rate and pass rate over expected). He got rid of the ball quickly without a ton of play-action help. But Shough struggled with sacks (27th in sack rate) and had a low rate of explosive plays. The result was a 48.8 QBR, which ranked 21st. It was good enough for the Saints to not explore other quarterback options this offseason. But the fate of the 2026 Saints -- and Shough's long-term status in New Orleans -- depends on how much he improves this season.
Nonstarter to know: Edge rusher Tyree Wilson. The seventh pick in the 2023 draft, Wilson never quite lived up to his potential in Las Vegas. But with 12 sacks over his first three seasons, he has still been useful. The Saints made a trade to pick up the last year of Wilson's rookie deal, and he has an opportunity to set himself up for his next contract if he can have success in New Orleans' edge rotation.
The only disagreement I have is the team's biggest strength. I believe the Saints' offensive line is a stronger group than the wide receiver group. The receivers have a chance to be the biggest strength, but it is far from certain. The offensive line has delivered results with the chance for growth in 2026. Cornerback is the biggest weakness, and the loss of Alontae Taylor is no small deal. Wilson has a chance to become a huge bang-for-your-buck addition for the defensive line.
The team will go as Shough does.
Continue reading...
ESPN's Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder were asked to compile their rankings. Each team has its biggest strength, weakness, X-factor, and nonstarters who could end up being key players, explained.
The Saints came in at number 26.
Biggest strength: Wide receiver. We'll start with Chris Olave, who went from potentially career-threatening concussion woes in 2024 to a career season in 2025, in which he finished no lower than seventh among wide receivers in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns (all were career highs). The 26-year-old will be joined by Jordyn Tyson -- the eighth pick of this year's draft -- setting up New Orleans with one of the league's best, young WR duos. Devaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Bryce Lance add depth.
Biggest weakness: Cornerback. The good news is that the Saints seem to have found something in 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, whose 17 pass deflections were sixth in the league last season and two off the league lead. The concern is that second-year man Quincy Riley and journeyman Isaac Yiadom are the only other corners on the roster who played a snap last season. They'll compete with newcomer Martin Emerson Jr., who is on the comeback trail after missing the 2025 season because of a torn Achilles.
X factor for 2026: QB Tyler Shough. His rookie season went better than expected, with Shough solid in turnover rate (12th best among QBR qualifiers) and accuracy (16th best in off-target rate and pass rate over expected). He got rid of the ball quickly without a ton of play-action help. But Shough struggled with sacks (27th in sack rate) and had a low rate of explosive plays. The result was a 48.8 QBR, which ranked 21st. It was good enough for the Saints to not explore other quarterback options this offseason. But the fate of the 2026 Saints -- and Shough's long-term status in New Orleans -- depends on how much he improves this season.
Nonstarter to know: Edge rusher Tyree Wilson. The seventh pick in the 2023 draft, Wilson never quite lived up to his potential in Las Vegas. But with 12 sacks over his first three seasons, he has still been useful. The Saints made a trade to pick up the last year of Wilson's rookie deal, and he has an opportunity to set himself up for his next contract if he can have success in New Orleans' edge rotation.
The only disagreement I have is the team's biggest strength. I believe the Saints' offensive line is a stronger group than the wide receiver group. The receivers have a chance to be the biggest strength, but it is far from certain. The offensive line has delivered results with the chance for growth in 2026. Cornerback is the biggest weakness, and the loss of Alontae Taylor is no small deal. Wilson has a chance to become a huge bang-for-your-buck addition for the defensive line.
The team will go as Shough does.
Continue reading...
