​ESPN has released its starting lineup rankings for all 32 NFL teams. While no single ranking will satisfy everyone, the New Orleans Saints are likely to take the exercise personally. ESPN’s trio of analysts—Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder—were asked to assemble their lists, and for each club they identified the franchise’s top strength, top weakness, a potential X-factor, and a nonstarter who could emerge as a key contributor.
The Saints landed at No. 26 in the overall rankings. Their stated biggest strength is the wide receiver corps. Chris Olave anchors the unit after overcoming a nearly career-ending concussion scare in 2024 to post a career-year in 2025. In that season he finished no lower than seventh among wide receivers in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns—career highs in all four categories. Olave, 26, will be paired with Jordyn Tyson, the eighth pick in this year’s draft, giving New Orleans one of the league’s most promising young wideout duos. The depth behind them includes Devaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Bryce Lance, providing solid insurance and upside.
The team’s biggest weakness is cornerback. The good news is that 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry appears to have found a foothold, delivering 17 pass deflections last season—tied for sixth in the league and just two shy of the league lead. The concern, however, is that the Saints’ depth at corner isn’t robust beyond McKinstry. Second-year pro Quincy Riley and veteran Isaac Yiadom were the only other corners to play a snap last season. They’ll compete with newcomer Martin Emerson Jr., who is returning from a torn Achilles that sidelined him for the 2025 campaign. The cornerback position remains a clear area to monitor, especially given potential changes in the Saints’ defensive schemes and the schedule’s testing passing offenses.
The X-factor for 2026 is quarterback Tyler Shough. His rookie season surprised many by posting solid numbers in areas like turnover rate (12th best among QBR qualifiers) and accuracy (16th-best off-target rate and pass rate over expected). He released the ball quickly and did not rely heavily on play-action. Yet Shough struggled with sacks (27th in sack rate) and showed a limited frequency of explosive plays. He finished with a 48.8 QBR, which ranked 21st. That performance was enough for the Saints to refrain from pursuing other quarterback options in free agency or the draft this offseason. The ultimate fate of the 2026 Saints—and Shough’s long-term status in New Orleans—will hinge on how much he improves during the upcoming season.
Among the nonstarters to watch is edge rusher Tyree Wilson. The seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft never fully realized his potential in Las Vegas, though he has contributed 12 sacks over his first three seasons. The Saints traded for the final year of Wilson’s rookie contract, and he now has an opening to prove himself in New Orleans’ edge rotation and position himself for his next contract by delivering a productive season.
The one point of contention in the rankings is the Saints’ biggest strength. Some, including myself, consider the offensive line to be stronger than the wide receiver group. The Saints’ receivers could indeed become the team’s top strength, but that outcome isn’t guaranteed. By contrast, the offensive line has already shown tangible results and offers room for further improvement in 2026. Cornerback remains the clearest weakness, and the departure of Alontae Taylor is a notable loss. Wilson, with the right impact and development, could become a larger factor in the team’s success and in any SEO-driven narrative around their defensive depth and pass rush.