Know Your Enemy is here and LKP used AI. We talkin bout Artificial Intelligence not practice. Here’s a roster-focused strengths/weaknesses snapshot for the New Orleans Saints entering 2026, grounded in ESPN team/player stats and the publicly visible PFF roster/lineup and draft-grade information.
Kellen Moore (former Lions QB/Eagles SB Champion OC) begins year 2 as the HC/play caller after a 6-11 2025 season (3-5 at home, 3-6 on the road). Former Chargers HC Brandon Staley runs the defense in a 3-4. Saints were 28th in league scoring 18 PPG on offense and allowed 22.5 PPG on defense.
Strengths
- Passing-game foundation is better than the overall record suggested.
Chris Olave is the clear offensive centerpiece after posting 100 catches, 1,163 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns in 2025, while tight end Juwan Johnson added 77 catches for 889 yards, giving the Saints two reliable receiving options. Second year QB Tyler Shough also produced a solid 67.6% completion rate, 2,384 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs, and a 91.3 passer rating as a rookie, which gives the offense at least a workable quarterback baseline if he continues to develop. [espn.com] - Receiver room has upside after the 2026 draft.
PFF’s draft writeup gave the New Orleans Saints 2026 class a B, noting first-round WR Jordyn Tyson earned 80.0-plus PFF receiving grades in each of his final two college seasons, while Day 3 WR Bryce Lance (Round 4) was cited as the highest-graded Saints pick at 89.5. That gives the roster more long-term receiving upside around Chris Olave. Devaugh Vele was added in a trade and will try to be the slot WR. [roundtable.io], [espn.com]. Jalyn Polk was added in a trade from the Patriots for depth and Baron Browning was a LSU WR add in Round 6. Saints have more young talent. - Offensive line still has recognizable core talent.
ESPN’s depth chart lists left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (27 of 84 tackles), center Erik McCoy (15 of 37 centers), right guard Cesar Ruiz (56 of 79 guards), and right tackle Taliese Fuaga (49 of 84 tackles) among the projected starters, giving New Orleans a young-to-prime core at premium offensive line spots. The Saints added a solid starter in David Edwards (22nd of 79 guards PFF) to improve the offensive line and run game. That matters because the 2025 offense was sacked 49 times, so continuity and development up front are essential to unlocking the skill talent. [espn.com], [espn.com] - Defensive front has names with pass-rush pedigree.
The projected front includes Carl Granderson at OLB (6 sacks), Chase Young at OLB (10 sacks), Bryan Bresee (2.5 sacks) at 3-4 DE, Cameron Jordan returns on one year deal at 3-4 DE (10.5 sacks), and Davon Godchaux at Nose tackle, which gives the Saints a mix of edge pressure, veteran leadership, and interior size. If Chase Young and Bryan Bresee make another jump, this could be the roster’s most important defensive strength. Christen Miller was added at nose in Round 2 behind Godcheaux and Nathan Shephard is 3-4 DE depth behind Cam Jordan. Former 1st round pick Tyree Wilson was also added in a trade from the Raiders. [espn.com]
Pete Werner (ranked 52 of 88 off ball LBs) is a solid LB and Kaden Ellis (31 of 88 LBs) was added back from the Falcons to be the Will LB replacing long time stud Demario Davis, which is an adequate replacement but a big loss.
Weaknesses
- Run game was a major statistical problem.
The New Orleans Saints averaged only 94.3 rushing yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry in 2025, while Alvin Kamara led the team with just 471 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per carry, and 1 rushing touchdown. Even with Travis Etienne Jr. now listed atop the ESPN depth chart, the rushing attack still has to prove it can become efficient and consistent. [espn.com], [espn.com], [espn.com] - Quarterback remains unsettled.
ESPN lists Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson, and Hunter Dekkers in the quarterback room with Shough the clear starter. Backup creates competition but also uncertainty. The 2025 passing totals were respectable, but Tyler Shough has yet established himself as a high-end NFL starter based on the available production as a rookie. [espn.com], [espn.com] - Defensive efficiency was uneven despite decent yardage totals.
ESPN’s team stats show the Saints allowed 22.5 points per game, 120.6 rushing yards per game, and 25 passing touchdowns, while the offense finished with a -4 turnover margin. That suggests the defense was not disastrous by yardage, but it did not consistently create enough negative plays or complementary field-position advantages. [espn.com] - Secondary has upside but some volatility.
The projected secondary includes Kool-Aid McKinstry (30 of 112 CBs), Quincy Riley (61 of 112 CBs), Martin Emerson Jr. added from Browns, Justin Reid (38 of 91 safeties), Julian Blackmon (82.4 grade in only 66 snaps), and 2nd year/rookie defensive backs such as Jonas Sanker (54 of 91 safeties) and rookie Lorenzo Styles Jr (Ohio State).. That group has talent, but it also depends heavily on younger players and new combinations becoming reliable quickly. [espn.com], [pff.com]
Bottom line
The New Orleans Saints have a roster with real receiving upside, a plausible young offensive-line core, and enough defensive-front talent to be competitive, but their 2026 ceiling depends on three swing factors: whether Tyler Shough becomes a stable starter, whether Travis Etienne Jr. and the line with David Edwards added fix a bottom-tier rushing attack, and whether the secondary can convert talent into consistent coverage results. Based on ESPN’s 2025 production and the public PFF draft/lineup data, this looks like a roster with more upside than its 2025 scoring profile showed—but still with clear question marks at quarterback, run efficiency, and defensive consistency.
Schedule
The Saints travel to Detroit in Week 1 and at Chicago (in Illinois for now) in Week 11. New Orleans hosts Minnesota in Week 5 and Green Bay in Week 13 in the Super Dome. Saints aren’t a cupcake and have a strong defense. If their young players take a jump and rushing attack/Shough improve they could actually win the South and beat the Vikings/Packers and Bears.