As a rookie, Shough appeared in 11 regular-season contests and went 5-4 as the Saints' starting QB after taking over for Spencer Rattler in November. In the process, he completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six picks, while adding 45 carries for 186 yards and three rushing TDs. This coming season, the 2025 second-rounder approaches training camp atop a signal-caller depth chart that still includes Rattler, as well as Zach Wilson and Hunter Dekkers. In addition to the Saints' investment in added weapons at the skill positions for Shough, the team looked to fortify its protection unit by signing veteran guard David Edwards and TE Noah Fant, who is underrated as a blocker, per Jackson. With continued growth in in his second campaign as a pro, Shough has a chance provide solid fantasy value in 2026 relative to his average draft position.

Olave indicated that reaching an agreement before camp would help avoid any distractions and "not affect team chemistry." The standout wide receiver has been limited during offseason work while recovering from January treatment for a blood clot, but head coach Kellen Moore has repeatedly expressed confidence in his recovery. Per Albert Breer of SI.com, Olave has recently been cleared, meaning he should be fully ready for the start of training camp. Olave remains the No. 1 target for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and will be joined by rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed) during the 2026 campaign.

Brown most recently spent time with the Falcons' practice squad in 2024, and he's now agreed to terms with the Saints. The Oklahoma State product has yet to make an NFL appearance after converting 22 of 23 field-goal attempts and all 42 of his point-after tries across 12 games during his final collegiate season in 2022. He's expected to compete with Charlie Smyth for New Orleans' top kicker spot ahead of the 2026 season.

Dekkers has now returned to the Saints after spending most of last season on the team's practice squad injured list. The Iowa Western product has yet to appear in an NFL game after throwing for 3,044 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 12 contests during his final collegiate season in 2022.

The Fresno State product spent most of his 2025 campaign with the Cowboys' practice squad, but he's since found a new home in New Orleans. Moreno-Cropper appeared in four regular-season games during his two seasons in Dallas, recording 38 kick-return yards and 27 punt-return yards. He'll likely compete for a special-teams role as the offseason progresses.

Mitchell-Paden was dealing with a knee injury at the end of last season that landed him on injured reserve in January, but he appears to be back in football shape with minicamp underway. He'll be competing for a depth spot as an in-line tight end on the Saints' 53-man roster for 2026.

Delp didn't get a ton of opportunities as a pass catcher in college, but the third-round rookie demonstrated great speed when he ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at Georgia's Pro Day back in March. Now that he's fully healthy again, he'll compete for snaps and targets at tight end behind starter Juwan Johnson.

Jordan has spent his entire career in New Orleans, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He rebounded impressively across 17 regular-season games in 2025, totaling 10.5 sacks. The soon-to-be 37-year-old will reportedly re-up with the Saints on a deal that includes significant incentives.

Neal's exact injury remains undisclosed, but it doesn't appear severe enough to cause concern about his status for the start of training camp in July. Still, the 2025 sixth-round pick will be limited at mandatory minicamp as he competes for a backfield role. With New Orleans having inked Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract in March while still carrying Alvin Kamara on the roster, there may not be much work available for backups Neal, Kendre Miller (ACL), Ty Chandler and Audric Estime.

Tyson has been on a maintenance plan since rookie minicamp and voluntary OTAs in May, and it looks like he will continue to participate on a limited basis at mandatory minicamp while prioritizing his rehab process. The exact nature of Tyson's injury remains undisclosed, but it doesn't appear that New Orleans' coaching staff has any real concerns about his status for the start of training camp in July. Meanwhile, Chris Olave also remains limited at mandatory minicamp, per Underhill.

The safety played in just one game in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, but he nonetheless re-signed with the Saints in January. Blackmon recorded 86 tackles with the Colts in 2024.

The wide receiver was placed on injured reserve with an ankle issue during October of last season. Palmer did not appear in a regular-season game in 2025.

The running back was not practicing during OTAs as recently as late May after tearing his ACL in Week 7 of the 2025 campaign. Now, though, he appears to be back, at least on a limited basis. At the moment, the 2023 third-round pick faces a crowded backfield situation in New Orleans, with free-agent signing Travis Etienne, veteran Alvin Kamara and 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal.

The 2026 second-round pick from Georgia appeared in 26 games during his final two collegiate seasons, posting 50 total tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Once Miller returns to full health, he's expected to operate as one of New Orleans' top interior defensive linemen.

Kamara typically skips the voluntary offseason program, and he seemed to be doing the same this year until he arrived Wednesday during the second week of OTA practices. It sounds like he now plans to stick around for a few more voluntary sessions before mandatory minicamp June 16-17. Kamara's NFL future nonetheless remains uncertain, with a complicated contract situation after repeated extensions and restructures in New Orleans. A trade or release could help the Saints' cap sheet for 2027, which the team ultimately might consider more valuable than whatever Kamara can provide off the bench behind new lead back Travis Etienne. The Saints seemingly want to give Kamara a chance this summer to prove that he can still be a useful player, albeit in a lesser role after Etienne signed a four-year contract with $24 million guaranteed at signing. It appears Kamara has recovered from the MCL sprain and ankle injury that cut his 2025 campaign short.

Polk was forced to miss the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason, but it appears he's healthy again with offseason workouts now in progress. New Orleans added first-rounder Jordyn Tyson, fourth-rounder Bryce Lance and sixth-rounder Barion Brown in the 2026 NFL Draft back in April, so Polk's potential path to a spot on the final 53-man roster is a narrow one.

Rattler was inactive for New Orleans' season finale at Atlanta back in January due to a finger injury, but it doesn't seem to be an issue for him any longer. He'll be competing with Zach Wilson for the backup quarterback spot behind 2025 second-rounder Tyler Shough in 2026.

Saldiveri is apparently still working his way back onto the field from the knee injury he suffered back in December of 2024. As it stands, he'll now have to miss at least the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign.

Rechsteiner earned a spot on the roster after impressing during his tryout at New Orleans' rookie minicamp. He spent his collegiate career at Jacksonville State, catching 53 passes for 629 yards and seven touchdowns across three seasons.

As the seventh overall pick in 2023 Draft and a defensive end, Wilson's fifth-year option would have come in at $14.475 million. The pass rusher's career has been disappointing thus far in relation to the draft capital invested in him, so it makes sense that the Saints' trade acquisition is more of a one-year flyer on a once-promising and athletic player and not a commitment to pursue his future. If Wilson can revive his career in 2026 with a better season, the team may look to keep his services in New Orleans long term.

Hardy played in 44 games over his college career, spending three years at Elon before transferring to North Carolina State as a senior. The tight end produced just six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns in his final season, but his main value came as a run blocker. The 6-foot-5, 271-pound rookie will have to show significant special teams upside for a shot to remain on the Saints' depth chart come September.

Donaldson played in 13 games for Ohio State in 2025, logging 96 carries for 361 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns over his senior season. The 21-year-old spent the first three years of his collegiate career at West Virginia, logging 171 and 163 carries in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. As a well-built downhill back, his upside for the Saints comes as a depth option for short-yardage situations.

Jennings spent the last five seasons with the Patriots, accumulating 132 tackles and 7.5 sacks. The 2020 third-round pick was let go by New England on March 11. Jennings is heading into his age-29 season, and he should provide veteran depth behind Carl Granderson and Chase Young.

Like seemingly all Hawkeyes cornerbacks, Hall (6-foot-1, 189 pounds) is a rugged player who is well-versed on the fundamentals. The unfortunate contrast to recent Iowa standouts Cooper DeJean and Riley Moss is that Hall is a below-average athlete by cornerback standards, logging just a 4.59-second 40-yard dash with short arms (30 inches) ill suited to press coverage. If Hall's lack of athletic traits don't hold him back, there's reason to think he has the skill set necessary to at least provide quality cornerback depth at the NFL level.