Saints Draft Day 1 Recap

Kaden Arkeder • April 24, 2026
Well, the wait is over, we got to open our present Saints fans. Jordyn Tyson is a New Orleans Saint. Hard to quantify just how badly the Saints needed to add impactful young talent to the wide receiver room, and Tyson immediately helps fix the problem. Jordyn Tyson, when healthy, is the best receiver in this draft, the talent was always undeniable, there are not many receivers who come out who are as well-rounded as he is. Tyson brings route running, size, speed, and ball skills to the receiver room who will help take some pressure off everyone else on offense with his presence on the field. Jordyn Tyson gives Tyler Shough another legit pass catcher to aid in his own development this upcoming season as well as offer some insurance in case of Chris Olave missing time from injury. But now the risk of selecting Jordyn Tyson. 

Tyson was injured every year of his collegiate career with time missed due to knee, clavicle, and hamstring injuries. The other criticism of Tyson has been his ability to be more physical at the catch point and after the catch. Using the eighth overall pick on him is definitely a risk given the injury history but the Saints felt the talent was too great at a position of need to pass up. Personally, I think the Saints got this pick right. Projecting ahead, I believe the Saints will be able to add more young talent at key positions which line up as strengths of the draft class. By addressing receiver first, they eliminated their number one need and gives them more flexibility heading into day two to address the other side of the ball. The defense could use some reinforcements after moving on from Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor earlier in the offseason, and the potential departure of Cameron Jordan.
 
Looking forward to day two of the draft, I believe the two positions to keep in mind are defensive line and defensive back. Both of those positions are needs for the Saints but also strengths of this draft class. So look for the Saints to target those positions on day two, and if they don’t, then for them to look at them again early on day three. If the Saints do look to continue to add to the offensive side of the ball I can see them adding to offensive skill positions and interior offensive line to gain better depth in those areas. 

Some key names to look for on Day 2 :
Edge - TJ Parker from Clemson
Nose Tackle - Kayden McDonald from Ohio State
Nose Tackle - Dominique Orange from Iowa State
Nose Tackle - Darrell Jackson Jr from Florida State
Edge - Zion Young from Missouri
Cornerback - Jerrod McCoy from Tennessee
Cornerback - Colton Hood from Tennessee 
Cornerback - D’Angelo Ponds from Indiana
Edge - R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma
Edge - Joshua Josephs from Tennessee 
Defensive Tackle - Christen Miller from Georgia
Nickel/Safety - Treydan Stukes from Arizona
Safety - Emanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo
Nickel/Safety - Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina
Offensive Guard - Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M
Offensive Guard - Emanuel Pregnon from Oregon
Tight End - Max Klare from Ohio State
Tight End - Sam Roush from Stanford
Tight End - Oscar Delp from Georgia
Offensive Center - Connor Lew from Auburn
Offensive Center - Jake Slaughter from Florida
Wide Receiver - Chris Bell from Louisville
Wide Receiver - Zachariah Branch from Georgia
Wide Receiver - De’Zhaun Stribling from Ole Miss
Wide Receiver - Ted Hurst from Georgia State
Running back - Mike Washington Jr. from Arkansas
Running back - Kaytron Allen from Penn State
Running back - Jonah Coleman from Washington

Okay, I think I covered all the bases here. Talk to you all next time to recap day two! 

Kaden Arkeder

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#RMFW x10 in bold gold text over a dark green swirling wave background
By Patrick Harkness June 6, 2026
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
Two football players in white uniforms standing on the field, one with “TYSON” on his jersey.
By Kaden Arkeder June 6, 2026
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
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