New Orleans offered a mix of strides and stumbles in its first preseason test, leaning on a handful of standouts to set early fantasy expectations. Tyler Shough flashed arm talent with a 54-yard hookup to Mason Tipton, while Shough also produced solid yardage (165) and a TD in his day’s work. Kevin Austin Jr. seized a roster moment, snagging four targets for 42 yards and displaying obvious chemistry with Shough. On defense, Jaylan Ford piled up five tackles and three assists, backed by Fadil Diggs’ four tackles and a sack, signaling potential IDP upside if the Saints lean on this unit. The Saints’ backfield, however, offered caution: Cam Akers managed only nine yards on four carries as Rattler’s legs kept drives alive but his passing was uneven, culminating in seven completions on 11 attempts for 53 yards, three sacks, and a fumble before he left the field. Dillon Radunz’s shaky protection underlined the continued OL questions heading into Week 1, a reminder that pass protection and QB timing will drive early-season fantasy value. In sum, Shough’s ceiling is worth monitoring as a late-round QB option, Austin Jr. looks like a real on-roster candidate with big-play potential, and Ford and Diggs gave Saints fans hope for defensive contributions—while the rest of the performance will fuel late-cut battles and depth-chart debates.

As the New Orleans Saints prepare for their first preseason game on August 10, several young players are under pressure to make an impact. Key among them is Isaiah Foskey, the former top-50 draft pick, who must prove himself in a competitive defensive lineup. Next up, Kendre Miller gets a prime opportunity to shine as Alvin Kamara sits out; he needs to establish himself as the clear RB2 amidst competition. Jordan Howden's path to starting safety is hindered, having dropped to third on the depth chart, and a strong performance is crucial for him to regain momentum.

Bub Means has yet to make a name for himself, failing to outshine veterans in training camp, while newcomers like Fadil Diggs are making waves. Each of these athletes has a distinct chance to secure a spot on the roster, especially with roster decisions looming. Preseason performances will be telling, as the Saints seek to develop their young talent into reliable contributors.

The New Orleans Saints are making bold moves with their 2026 mock draft, starting with a surprising choice at third overall. Instead of securing a quarterback, the Saints opted for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is touted as potentially the best player in college football. Downs' combination of size, versatility, and ball skills positions him as a game-changer in the Saints' secondary.

In subsequent rounds, the Saints continued to strengthen their roster, selecting EDGE Tyreak Sapp from Florida and quarterback John Mateer from Oklahoma. Sapp's versatility on the defensive line could be a key asset for the Saints, while Mateer's accuracy and toughness could give New Orleans a promising arm for the future. This strategy indicates a long-term vision for the team as they look to build a competitive squad.

The New Orleans Saints are now just 40 days away from their 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, a milestone marked by the anticipation surrounding rookie Fadil Diggs, who will wear the number 40 jersey. This number holds a special place in Saints history, with 18 previous players having donned it, including notable figures like Dalton Hilliard and Delvin Breaux.

Hilliard, a second-round pick in 1986, was the highest-drafted player to wear No. 40 and had a remarkable rookie season before switching to No. 21. Others, like Mike Bell, contributed significantly during their time, with Bell playing a crucial role in the Saints’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2009. Interestingly, most players who wore number 40 did so for just one or two seasons, with only Mel Mitchell lasting longer than three years. As Diggs prepares to carve his own path, he joins a legacy of Saints players who have contributed to the team's rich history.

Rookie contracts have started rolling in for the New Orleans Saints as they signed six of their nine 2025 draft picks just ahead of rookie minicamp. This group includes their top pick, Kelvin Banks Jr., who secured a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $27.73 million, highlighted by a $16.8 million signing bonus. Alongside Banks, linebacker Danny Stutsman, cornerback Quincy Riley, running back Devin Neal, tight end Moliki Matavao, and edge rusher Fadil Diggs also inked their deals.

With just three picks remaining to sign, the Saints are navigating a familiar challenge in securing contracts for their second and third rounders: quarterback Tyler Shough, defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, and safety Jonas Sanker. Historically, the second-round negotiations often lead to a prolonged signing process, a trend the Saints bucked last year by signing their second-round selection, Kool-Aid McKinstry, earlier than usual. The Saints aim to finalize these remaining contracts promptly to prevent distractions during the offseason.