​Only 65 days remain until the New Orleans Saints open their 2026 regular season. The Saints will kick off on the road, traveling north to take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 13. In preparation, rookie offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright will wear number 65 as New Orleans begins training camp. A fourth-round pick from Auburn, Wright is part of the Saints’ ongoing effort to upgrade the interior of the offensive line.
Here is a closer look at Wright’s background as part of our Saints Player of the Day series. Name (age): Jeremiah Wright (24). Hometown: Selma, Alabama. Position: Guard. Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 331 pounds. College: Auburn Tigers. Relative Athletic Score: not available. Drafted: Round 4, 132nd overall in 2026 by the Saints. NFL experience: Rookie. 2026 salary cap hit: $1.14 million.
Wright’s path to the pros began as a three-star recruit at Selma High School in Alabama. He chose to stay in-state for college, enrolling at Auburn. His journey with the Tigers started on the defensive line, where he recorded four tackles as a freshman in 2020. An ACL injury caused him to miss the 2021 season, but he returned and switched to the offensive line. Over the next two seasons, he served as a reserve and spot starter before earning a starting role at right guard. In his final two years at Auburn, he started every game at right guard, showcasing a combination of power and tenacity that caught the Saints’ attention during the pre-draft process.
Wright’s game features are characterized by an old-school, nasty demeanor on the field. While he brings a powerful punch to the run game, he will need to refine his technique and defensive recognition to reach his full potential in the pros. His physical tools and overall upside were appealing enough for New Orleans to take a chance in the fourth round, even though Wright’s primary collegiate experience came at right guard—a position currently manned in New Orleans by Cesar Ruiz, who has been a point of concern for the Saints’ interior line.
The Saints have already addressed a major need by signing left guard David Edwards in free agency, but questions remain about the right guard spot. Wright’s selection suggests the Saints intend to strengthen interior depth immediately, with the potential to compete for playing time at right guard and, in time, to challenge Ruiz for the starting job if he develops more consistently. As a fourth-round pick, there’s no guaranteed roster dominance for Wright, but the expectation is that he will contribute right away to depth and development.
This story is part of Saints Wire’s Countdown to Kickoff coverage, highlighting Jeremiah Wright as the Saints Player of the Day. The aim is to provide fans with a comprehensive look at Wright’s background, the role he may play in 2026, and how he fits into the Saints’ broader plan to improve the interior of the offensive line. The article originally appeared as part of Saints Wire’s Countdown to Kickoff feature, focusing on Jeremiah Wright as Day 65 for better SEO.