Day 3 of the Draft is Here, Trust the Process. They Have Earned It.
Anthony Parker • April 25, 2026
The Draft still has a lot of great Talent left, and the Saints have five selections to make. Trust that they will continue to do well.
The first two days of the draft have gone by, and while some fan bases are still trying to comprehend their teams’ plans, the Saints have been pretty straightforward with theirs.
The Saints have embraced the fact that they are “not one player away” — Mickey Loomis.
They entered this draft with eight total picks and needs at almost every position group outside of quarterback. While many expected the Saints to be aggressive and make trades, this belief is reasonable because it’s something they’ve done with a high level of consistency for more than a decade. However, the Saints and their staff took a patient approach and allowed the draft to come to them.
And not just come to them, but they drafted positions that many knew were needs, yet weren’t anticipating the Saints to value at the time of selection.
The Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson in Round 1 with the eighth overall pick. In the next two rounds, they selected two Georgia Bulldog teammates. First, Christen Miller, an interior defensive lineman, with the forty-second overall pick. Then in the third round, they picked Oscar Delp with the seventy-third overall pick.
On the surface, these are not picks that will set the internet on fire. These are not headline-grabbing selections, but for the Saints, these are franchise-forward moves.
The additions of Miller and Delp strengthen position groups the Saints have struggled to build over the past five years. Consistency along the interior defensive front is one of the main reasons the Saints have gone from one of the best run defenses in the league to one of the worst.
Additionally, having a consistent, well-rounded tight end who can put his hand in the dirt and block, while also possessing the ability to split out wide, run routes, and catch passes, is something that has been missing since Jared Cook and Drew Brees walked off the field together after losing to the Bucs in the playoffs.
Many were expecting the Saints to select a defensive back, which is a reasonable expectation considering the need there, and possibly another running back. But the selections made on the second day of the draft show just how committed they are to fully completing this roster by taking their time and adding young players who have proven success at high levels but still possess upside and room for development.
With Day 3 of the draft now here, Saints fans should expect the same approach — being patient and striking when it’s most advantageous for the team.
Do not be worried. There is still plenty of high-level talent remaining on the board, and the Saints have done nothing but earn more confidence that they will select the best players available for the position groups they feel need to be addressed.
A guy like Keionte Scott would be a good fit in Brandon Staley’s defense. Mike Washington is still available if they want to add more youth to the running back room. There is also Pat Coogan, the senior leader of the offensive line for the National Champion Indiana Hoosiers, who would be another solid late-round addition for needed depth along the offensive line.
The process for the Saints has been clear: get younger, get more explosive, and build around Tyler Shough.
The approach has been great, and while many may see this draft class as average, this could end up being another 2017 class — and that draft class was a pass interference call away from playing in another Super Bowl.
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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
The Saints entering the offseason had a glaring need of adding more to the wide receiver room. They are entering the final contract year of Chris Olave in a wide receiver market only getting more expensive by the day. The Saints are aware of this and given the injury history of Olave made the smart, cost controlled moves of adding wide receivers through the draft. Jordyn Tyson the Saints first round pick will play a pivotal role in turning the wide receiver room into a strength after finishing last season with having no viable depth behind Olave. Tyson should serve as the perfect complement to Olave as a big body vertical threat who in actuality can really do anything for the Saints. Tyson will be able to free up Olave from one, not being the only credible receiving threat every down, but two, allow Olave to run routes or concepts which play to his strengths instead of having to shoulder the passing game all on his own. So with two de facto number one receivers on the roster the role players will be able to play their best ball in a role where they don’t have to try and overachieve because of a lack of talent and or diversity in the receiver room. What a year for DeVaughn Vele, getting traded to a new team and having no real impact on the team until opportunity finally came knocking. He answered the call and although in a small sample size clearly demonstrated he can contribute as a big body, possession type of receiver in the offense. Before the showing there was much disappointment after trading a fourth round pick for an older player still on a rookie contract. But all good things take time which could be a good slogan for this young wide receiver room if they get off to a slow start. Behind the trio of Olave, Tyson, and Vele is the young, unproven depth of the room. This group has a little bit of everything. From your roster cuts, late round trades, to day three picks in the draft. This group consists of Bryce Lance, Ja’Lynn Polk, Bub Means, Trey Palmer, Barion Brown, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr, Ronnie Bell, Damien Alford, Brock Rechsteiner. The big takeaway from this group is the question marks some players have as they look to return from injuries, who can separate themselves by how they preform on limited snaps on offense and who can produce the best on special teams. When we get to the final cut down day to get the 53 man roster it will be interesting to see who the coaching staff decided on of this group. One thing will be certain by then, this group will be much improved from last season. Make sure to follow Kaden Arkeder on X