Training camp is where talk starts turning into football.

Every team has optimism this time of year. Everybody looks faster in shorts. Everybody says the right things. But once camp opens, you start finding out who is ready — and who still has work to do.

For the Saints, this year feels especially important. New faces, young players, veterans trying to hold roles, and a team trying to prove it can take a step forward in 2026.

Here are five Saints with the most to prove.

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1. Tyler Shough

This one is obvious.

Shough showed flashes last season, but now the question changes. It’s not “can he survive?” anymore. It’s “can he lead?”

He needs to show command, consistency, and control of the offense. The Saints gave him more weapons. Now he has to prove he can use them.

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2. Zach Wilson

Wilson is getting another chance, and those don’t come forever.

The talent has always been there. The arm is real. But training camp will show whether he can make smart decisions, play within the system, and push the quarterback room the right way.

He doesn’t have to be perfect.

He does have to look dependable.

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3. Jordyn Tyson

First-round picks don’t get to hide.

Tyson made a good first impression at rookie minicamp, but training camp is different. Pads come on. Veterans test you. Expectations get louder.

The Saints drafted him to add explosion to the offense. Now he has to show he can separate, learn quickly, and become more than just a camp headline.

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4. Oscar Delp

Delp could become one of the more important rookies on this offense.

A reliable tight end helps everybody — the quarterback, the run game, the red zone, third down. If Delp can block and become a dependable target, he gives the Saints something they badly need: balance.

Camp will tell us how quickly he can handle the NFL game.

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5. Kool-Aid McKinstry

The secondary needs answers, and Kool-Aid has a chance to be one of them.

Talent isn’t the question. Consistency is.

He has to show he can hold up against top receivers, limit mistakes, and become a player the defense can trust every week.

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Bottom Line

Training camp won’t decide the whole season.

But it will tell us a lot.

If Shough looks steady, Tyson looks ready, Delp earns trust, Wilson pushes the room, and Kool-Aid takes a step forward, the Saints have a real chance to look different this year.

Not just younger.

Better.

That’s what I’m watching.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Who Dat Nation, I think we’re all guilty of it.

We spend so much time talking about the future that we forget to appreciate the players who helped build the foundation.

That’s why Cam Jordan deserves a little attention today.

At 37 years old, Cam is back for another season in black and gold after signing a new one-year deal with the Saints. He’s also back in the NFL Top 100 after many people thought his best years were behind him.

Think about that for a second.

Sixteen seasons.
One franchise.
Countless big plays.
Countless battles with Atlanta.

And somehow he’s still here.

What stands out most isn’t the sacks anymore.

It’s the leadership.

You hear young players talk about him. You hear Tyler Shough talk about him. You hear veterans talk about him. Everybody points to Cam as one of the voices that sets the standard inside that locker room.

The Saints are getting younger.

Tyler Shough.
Jordyn Tyson.
Oscar Delp.
Christen Miller.

They’re all trying to figure out what it means to be a professional.

Having Cam Jordan around for that matters.

A lot.

Maybe this is his last ride.

Maybe it isn’t.

But one thing is certain:

When Cam Jordan finally hangs it up, Saints fans are going to realize how hard it is to replace a player who gave everything to this city and this organization for more than a decade.

For now, let’s enjoy one more season.

Because players like Cam Jordan don’t come around very often.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Every offseason there’s a team that surprises people.

Maybe this year it’s the Saints.

Now before anyone starts planning a parade down Poydras, let’s be realistic. This team won six games last year and hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons. Nobody is handing New Orleans anything.

But when you look at the roster today versus where it was a year ago, it’s hard not to see reasons for optimism.

First, there’s Tyler Shough.

The Saints spent the second half of last season finding out whether they had a quarterback. By the end of the year, Shough gave fans something they haven’t had in a while — hope. He still has plenty to prove, but he’s entering this season with more experience, more confidence, and a lot more help around him.

And that help matters.

The Saints completely rebuilt the offensive weapons around him:

• Travis Etienne in the backfield
• Jordyn Tyson at receiver
• Oscar Delp at tight end
• More speed, more depth, and more playmakers across the board.

The defense still has questions. Losing veteran leadership is never easy, and the secondary is going to have to prove it can handle some elite quarterbacks and receivers this season.

But here’s what people forget:

The Saints don’t need to become the Chiefs overnight.

They just need to be better.

A better offense.
A healthier roster.
A quarterback taking the next step.

That’s how teams make the jump.

The schedule isn’t impossible, the NFC South is still wide open, and for the first time in a few years, it feels like the Saints have a direction instead of a question mark.

Will they win the division?

Maybe.

Will they make the playoffs?

It’s certainly possible.

What I do know is this:

I think the rest of the league is expecting the same old Saints.

And that might be their mistake.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Every offseason it feels like the same conversation.

Trade Alvin Kamara.

Move on.

Start over.

And every offseason, Kamara seems to say the same thing:

“I want to be a Saint.”

The latest reports suggest a trade is actually less likely than some of the rumors floating around social media. Kamara showed up for OTAs, said there’s no bad blood with the organization, and his agent has publicly stated he expects him to be in New Orleans this season.

Now, does that mean he’ll still be the featured back?

Probably not.

The Saints brought in Travis Etienne for a reason.

But here’s my question:

Why are so many fans in a hurry to push out one of the best offensive players in franchise history?

Kamara is the Saints’ all-time leading rusher.

He’s been part of some of the best teams this franchise has ever had.

And even if he’s no longer the player he was five years ago, he still brings leadership, versatility, and experience to a young offense that’s trying to find its identity.

Could this be his last season in New Orleans?

Maybe.

But if that’s the case, I’d rather spend the season appreciating what he’s meant to this franchise than trying to ship him out every time a rumor pops up online.

Sometimes the answer isn’t to move on as fast as possible.

Sometimes the answer is to appreciate a great player while he’s still wearing black and gold.

That’s where I stand.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation… now that the schedule is out, you can officially start circling dates and arguing about wins and losses.

And first impression?

This schedule feels like a season that’s gonna tell us exactly who the Saints are.

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The Good

There are opportunities early.

• Home opener against Detroit
• A very manageable stretch before the bye
• Some young teams mixed in
• A few games the Saints absolutely SHOULD compete in

If this team starts fast, confidence could build quickly.

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The Tough Part

That middle-to-late stretch gets serious.

• Panthers twice late
• Packers in December
• Road games at Atlanta and Tampa
• Steelers in Paris (which is just weird enough to scare me)
• And Seattle/Chicago style cold-weather football late in the year always matters

That’s where depth and quarterback play get tested.

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Games Tony Already Has Circled

🔥 Week 4 at Atlanta (MNF)
You already know what that means. Throw records out.

🔥 Week 7 vs Steelers in Paris
One of the strangest Saints games ever scheduled. 8:30 AM football with the black and gold in France? Only the NFL could come up with this.

🔥 Week 13 vs Green Bay
Feels like one of those “prove who you are” games.

🔥 Final stretch vs Falcons and Bucs
Could easily decide the division.

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What This Schedule Tells Me

The NFL clearly thinks the Saints are interesting again.

Prime time. International game. Better time slots. Bigger matchups.

That usually means:
👉 the league believes the Saints could matter this year

Now the question becomes:
Can the Saints actually take the next step?

Because looking at this schedule honestly…
I see:

• talent
• opportunities
• but also very little room for inconsistency

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Tony’s Early Prediction?

If the quarterback situation stabilizes and the young weapons hit early, this team can absolutely compete for the division.

But if the offense struggles out the gate?
This schedule could get ugly fast.

Right now?

I see a team somewhere around:
👉 8–9 wins if things break right
👉 fighting for meaningful football in December

And honestly… after the last couple years, Saints fans would take that while this young core develops.

One thing’s for sure:
The Dome better be loud again this season.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation… it’s only rookie minicamp, so nobody needs to start printing Hall of Fame jackets yet.

But let’s be honest — it’s better hearing “he looks the part” than hearing nothing at all.

Early reports out of Saints rookie minicamp say first-round pick Jordyn Tyson made a strong first impression, and honestly, that’s exactly what you wanted to hear after the Saints used the 8th overall pick on him. ()

Saints receivers coach Keith Williams basically described Tyson as checking every box:

• size
• speed
• hands
• athleticism
• run-after-catch ability

And maybe the biggest compliment? He looked comfortable right away. ()

One report even said if you walked onto the practice field without knowing anybody’s name, Tyson would’ve immediately looked like the first-round pick. ()

That matters.

Because after the draft, a lot of fans — myself included — questioned whether the Saints should’ve gone defense instead. Passing on some of the defenders still on the board was a gamble.

But now you can at least start seeing what the Saints front office saw:
👉 explosiveness
👉 confidence
👉 someone who can help this offense immediately

And let’s be real — this offense needed juice.

Now does rookie minicamp guarantee success? Absolutely not.

We’ve all seen “camp stars” disappear once the real games start. But first impressions matter, especially for a player expected to contribute right away.

The good news?
Tyson doesn’t look overwhelmed. He looks like he belongs.

And for Saints fans looking for signs this offense is heading in the right direction… that’s a pretty good start.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation… this is one of those moves that makes you think a little deeper.

The Saints signing Zxavian Harris as an undrafted free agent isn’t about headlines — it’s about taking a calculated risk.

And let’s be honest… it is a risk.

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The Football Side

On paper, this looks like a steal.

• 6’7”–6’8”, around 330 pounds
• Projected mid-round draft pick
• Versatility across the defensive line
• Run-stuffer with real size and upside

This is the kind of guy who normally doesn’t last past Day 3. Some boards even had him as a top-100 talent before he went undrafted.

Pair him with Christen Miller, and you can already see what the Saints are trying to do:

👉 Get bigger, more physical, harder to run against

That part makes sense.

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The Reality (And Why He Was Undrafted)

Let’s not dance around it.

Harris didn’t go undrafted because of talent.

He fell because of off-field issues, including multiple arrests over the last couple years.

That’s why this move isn’t just about football — it’s about culture, accountability, and trust.

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What This Tells Me About the Saints

This is actually a pretty clear signal.

The Saints are saying:

👉 “We’ll take the talent — but you better fall in line.”

They’re betting that:

• their locker room can handle it
• their coaching staff can guide it
• and the player can stay focused

That’s not a small bet.

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Tony’s Take

I like the move… with caution.

If Harris:

• stays out of trouble
• buys into the system
• and plays disciplined football

This could end up being one of the best value pickups of the entire offseason.

But if not?

He won’t last long.

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Bottom Line

This is classic UDFA football.

Low risk.
High upside.
Short leash.

And honestly… this is how good teams find hidden pieces.

Now it’s on him.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

“I’m giving it a solid B… and I’m not mad about it.”

Look, if you came into this draft expecting fireworks, you probably feel a little underwhelmed. No big-name splash, no headline pick everybody’s arguing about on TV.

But if you actually watched what they did?
This feels different.

This feels like they’re trying to build a football team again.

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🧱 It Starts in the Trenches

• Jeremiah Wright
  “331 pounds. SEC. Nasty. That’s how you fix an offense—stop getting pushed around.”

This is the kind of pick that doesn’t trend… but shows up in November.

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⚡ They Added Speed (Finally)

• Barion Brown
  “This one I like. Real speed. Return game. LSU kid. That’s instant juice if they use him right.”
• Bryce Lance
  “Big body at 6’3”. Either this is a steal… or we’re gonna be asking why he’s not ready. No in-between.”

They didn’t get a “name”—but they added tools.

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🛡️ Defense Got Deeper (and Tougher)

• Lorenzo Styles Jr.
  “Ohio State DBs? I’ll take my chances. Athletic, flexible—coaches are gonna move him around.”
• TJ Hall
  “Iowa DB. You already know—tackles, discipline, no nonsense.”

No stars here—but fewer weak spots.

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🧠 Tony’s Real Take

“This draft ain’t winning no Instagram poll.”

“But it might win you a couple ugly games in December.”

You got:

• Bigger up front
• Faster on the edges
• More reliable on defense

That’s how teams quietly get better.

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📌 Final Grade: B

“Could it be an A? Yeah—if one of those receivers hits big.”

“But right now? Solid B.”

“Only thing missing…
who’s scoring when you need 30?”

The New Orleans Saints didn’t chase headlines with this class—they built something that looks a lot more like identity.

No splashy “win the draft” pick. No viral moment. Just size, speed, and players who fit what this team has been missing.

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🧱 Building the Foundation

• Jeremiah Wright (OG, Auburn)
  6’5”, 331 lbs. This is a tone-setter. Interior help was needed, and this is a move toward getting physical again up front.
• Bryce Lance (WR, NDSU)
  Big frame at 6’3”. Developmental, but brings size the receiver room lacks. Boom-or-bust type with upside.

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⚡ Adding Speed and Playmakers

• Barion Brown (WR, LSU)
  Immediate impact potential. Elite speed, return ability, and familiarity for the fanbase. This is your spark plug.

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🛡️ Reinforcing the Defense

• Lorenzo Styles Jr. (S, Ohio State)
  Athletic and versatile. A modern secondary piece who can be moved around.
• TJ Hall (CB, Iowa)
  Physical, disciplined, and reliable. Not flashy, but exactly the kind of depth championship defenses need.

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🧠 The Big Picture

This class tells you exactly what the Saints are trying to do:

• Get bigger in the trenches
• Add speed at receiver
• Build depth and toughness on defense

It’s a shift away from chasing stars—and toward building a complete roster.

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📌 Final Take

This isn’t the class that wins draft grades in April.
This is the kind that wins games in December.

The only real question left:
Do the Saints now have enough firepower to keep up when it turns into a shootout?