2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Recap
Kaden Arkeder • April 26, 2026
The Saints had a busy day three today making five selections, spanning rounds four through seven in the draft. They were pretty patient and comfortable sticking and picking this year as they once again did not trade up to go get a player. Kudos to Mickey Loomis and the front office for not giving up any picks to maximize their chances for success. So let’s get into the selections they made today.
In the fourth round the Saints picked offensive guard Jeremiah Wright out of Auburn and wide receiver Bryce Lance out of North Dakota State. Jeremiah will join the team and look to make an impact as a key developmental backup behind starters David Edwards and Cesar Ruiz. He has an interesting background having played defensive tackle up until two years ago and developing to the point of becoming a fourth round draft pick. Him being selected so high given his situation is a testament to his work ethic and his talent which was highlighted with how well he did down at the Senior Bowl this year. With their other pick in the fourth round the Saints selected Bryce Lance who will look to become a key role player in the wide receiver room. Lance brings a combination of size and speed to the room no one else quite has confirmed by his 9.94 RAS score. Lance was a focal point for the North Dakota State offense and was always a threat to score with his explosiveness to get vertical down the field or run away from defenders with his 4.34 speed.
Moving ahead to the fifth round where the Saints were scheduled to have two picks before they traded the 150th pick to the Raiders for defensive end Tyree Wilson and the 219th pick. So with the 172nd pick the Saints selected safety Lorenzo Styles Jr out of Ohio State. He is another high RAS score prospect with Styles reaching an insane 9.99 RAS score. Styles is ridiculously athletic but still relatively raw as a safety with his coverage and tackling consistency. Look for him to contribute on special teams and providing depth to the secondary.
Moving on the sixth round where the Saints selected wide receiver/return specialist Barion Brown out of LSU. The importance of special teams cannot be overstated as it was a key issue for the team last season and this selection was an attempt to get the special teams back to where it needs to be. Browns path to contributing to the team looks for him to be squarely in the mix as the main returner on special teams. Brown had over 2k return yards during his collegiate career and looked dynamic with the ball in his hands. When he is not returning he has a chance to contribute as a gadget type of player on offense.
Looking ahead to the seventh round where the Saints selected defensive back TJ Hall out of Iowa. Hall deviates some from the rest of his peers in his draft class as his RAS only came in at 5.32. While his athletic score may be lower he makes up for it with his instincts and his smarts on the field. Hall has a good feel for zone and plays the run well. He has an opportunity to carve out a role on special teams and providing depth as a versatile defensive back.
Recapping the Saints draft class as a whole -
1st round - WR Jordyn Tyson
2nd round - DT Christen Miller
3rd round - TE Oscar Delp
4th round - OG Jeremiah Wright and WR Bryce Lance
5th round - SAF Lorenzo Styles Jr.
6th round - WR/RS Barion Brown
7th round - DB TJ Hall
Offense was definitely a theme and focus of this draft class. This class shows the Saints clear belief in Tyler Shough and wanted to surround him with as much talent as they can to aid his development. Between free agency and now the draft I believe the offense will look much different next season. The players they have added will bring some much needed explosiveness and depth to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints came into the draft with their number one goal of addressing wide receiver as it was clearly the worst group on the roster and with the picks of Tyson, Lance they might have turned a weakness into a legit strength going into next season. Also the addition of Oscar Delp could really be a wildcard with this draft class as someone who can really surprise us once the pads are put back on again.
With so much focus on the offensive side of the ball the defensive side felt neglected some with the only pick on that side of the ball in the first two days of the draft being Christen Miller in round two. But Miller did address arguably the biggest need on the defensive side of the ball as an interior defensive lineman considering how they fared last season with the run defense. I liked the picks of Styles and Hall later in the draft as players who differ in their profiles but can bring the Saints value through special teams. I can see the Saints prioritizing adding to the defensive side of the ball in the draft come next year but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself there.
Offense was definitely a theme and focus of this draft class. This class shows the Saints clear belief in Tyler Shough and wanted to surround him with as much talent as they can to aid his development. Between free agency and now the draft I believe the offense will look much different next season. The players they have added will bring some much needed explosiveness and depth to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints came into the draft with their number one goal of addressing wide receiver as it was clearly the worst group on the roster and with the picks of Tyson, Lance they might have turned a weakness into a legit strength going into next season. Also the addition of Oscar Delp could really be a wildcard with this draft class as someone who can really surprise us once the pads are put back on again.
With so much focus on the offensive side of the ball the defensive side felt neglected some with the only pick on that side of the ball in the first two days of the draft being Christen Miller in round two. But Miller did address arguably the biggest need on the defensive side of the ball as an interior defensive lineman considering how they fared last season with the run defense. I liked the picks of Styles and Hall later in the draft as players who differ in their profiles but can bring the Saints value through special teams. I can see the Saints prioritizing adding to the defensive side of the ball in the draft come next year but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself there.
All in all the Saints came out of the draft having made eight draft picks and were able to get younger, faster, and more talented at key positions. I’d say this was a successful draft for them but only time will tell. So now we anxiously await to see how these guys look when they step on the practice field. I for one cannot wait and I’m sure you all can’t either.
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LAST WEEK WAS A STATEMENT: Tulane Green Wave Recruiting Just Went Nuclear, Camp Fire plus 10 Commitments in One Day! Signals 2027 Takeover Last week the Tulane Green Wave didn’t just recruit, they declared war on the rest of the American Conference and anyone sleeping on Will Hall’s vision. From a loaded summer camp at Yulman Stadium that produced four scholarship offers (and one lightning-fast commitment) to an unprecedented 10 commitments in a single day fueled by official visits, the momentum is undeniable. The 2027 class is stacking up fast, in-state pride is surging, and the Green Wave are turning heads from the River Parishes to the Mississippi hills and beyond. The Camp That Lit the Fuse: June 3 at Yulman Stadium Dozens of hungry prospects rolled into New Orleans for Tulane’s key summer camp session (part of the June 7/10/17 series). Position-specific drills, one-on-ones, and 7-on-7s under Head Coach Will Hall and staff. The vibe and videos were electric, real coaching, real competition, real exposure. Four prospects stood out above the rest and earned scholarship offers from Tulane: • Shaun Phillips @phillips1shaun (Class of 2029, OL, The Dunham School – Houma area) 6’5”, 285 lbs. The massive tackle with rare length and power moved bodies in the run game and showed surprising agility in pass pro. First collegiate offer. High-upside developmental piece with All-Conference ceiling. • James Tyson @Jetyson28 (Class of 2027, DB, St. Charles Catholic – LaPlace, LA) 6’0”, 180 lbs athletic build. Fluid hips, ball skills, physicality in run support, and the ability to win 1-on-1s consistently. Turned heads all day and left with an offer on the spot. • Jayden Taylor @the_jtaylor72 (Class of 2028, OL, St. Augustine HS – New Orleans) 6’4”, 255 lbs. Physical “bully” left tackle who dominated the trenches with heavy hands, strong base, and leadership. Proven camp performer who brings nastiness and versatility (tackle or inside). • Jaden Turner @jaden_1of1 Class of 2029 DB John Curtis New Orleans, LA 6’0”, 165 lbs (High-character, physical player who rounded out a strong group of trench and defensive standouts.) The payoff came quick. Just days later, camp standout James Tyson committed to the Green Wave! The rising River Parishes DB chose Tulane over Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Nicholls, Cornell, and others. He’s already locked in an official visit for June 18. Local kid. Camp-to-commit pipeline working perfectly. Starter upside in a secondary that values length, athleticism, and versatility. Friday Explosion: 10 Commitments in ONE DAY The staff didn’t let the momentum cool. On Friday, Tulane secured a massive 10 commitments in a single day, one of the biggest single-day hauls in recent program history. Many tied directly to official visits over the weekend. Prospects saw the vision, felt the culture, and pulled the trigger. The haul added serious talent and depth across positions, with a strong mix of in-state gems and regional athletes who fit Will Hall’s up-tempo, physical identity: Key names in the surge include: • Local star Ray’Quan Williams (WR, St. Augustine HS, New Orleans) New Orleans product bolstering the receiving room. @supermanray3 • Kavarris “Duke” Duncan (DL, Winterboro HS, AL) @KavarrisDuncan • Teddy Graff (TE, Ensworth HS, Nashville, TN) @teddy_graff • Peyton Perkins (ATH, Eupora, MS) @PPerkins_12 • Anquan Jackson (WR, South Jones HS, Ellisville, MS) @anquan_jackson5 • Jackson Shaw (OT, Baton Rouge Catholic, LA) @JacksonShaw40 • And the camp-to-commit pipeline delivering again with James Tyson (DB) Plus several more athletic, high-motor pieces rounding out what’s shaping into a well-balanced, high-upside group. Director of Scouting Colton Leggett summed it up perfectly: “Make it commits in one day. Just recruit good players. #RollWave #PA2TYUP7OWN ” This wasn’t luck. It’s targeted in-state work, smart regional recruiting, relationship building, and a coaching staff that’s earning trust with prospects and families. Louisiana kids staying home or choosing the Wave. Mississippi and Alabama talent seeing the bigger picture. Developmental upside everywhere. The Big Picture, Momentum Is Real Last week proved it: Tulane is building something special. The 2027 class is no longer just “growing” it’s exploding with the right kind of players who fit the culture, the scheme, and the vision of sustained success in the American Conference. In-state dominance + regional hauls + camp-to-commit efficiency = a recipe that’s working. Yulman Stadium is about to get louder. The trenches are getting nastier. The secondary is getting more athletic. The skill positions are gaining weapons. Will Hall and staff are hitting their stride. The future is loading. More Pats Deep Dive Recruiting breakdowns, player profiles, and updates dropping soon. The Green Wave are rising. #RollWave #RMFW Stay locked @beinthekneaux for the latest. Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
The Tulane Green Wave football program turned heads on Friday with a massive recruiting surge, landing 10 commitments in a single day. The haul represents one of the strongest single-day performances in recent memory for the program and signals growing momentum for the 2027 recruiting class under head coach Will Hall. Director of Scouting Colton Leggett captured the excitement perfectly, posting: “Make it commits in one day. Just recruit good players. #RollWave #PA2TYUP7OWN ” The Green Wave staff is hitting its stride in identifying and closing on talent that fits the program’s culture and up-tempo, physical identity. While full details on the newest members of the class are still rolling in, the volume of commitments speaks volumes about Tulane’s rising profile. The Green Wave have steadily built their 2027 group through targeted in-state and regional recruiting, smart use of the transfer portal, and a coaching staff that’s earning trust with prospects and their families. More details on the commitments coming soon! #RMFW Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X