2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Recap
Kaden Arkeder • April 26, 2026
The Saints had a busy day three today making five selections, spanning rounds four through seven in the draft. They were pretty patient and comfortable sticking and picking this year as they once again did not trade up to go get a player. Kudos to Mickey Loomis and the front office for not giving up any picks to maximize their chances for success. So let’s get into the selections they made today.
In the fourth round the Saints picked offensive guard Jeremiah Wright out of Auburn and wide receiver Bryce Lance out of North Dakota State. Jeremiah will join the team and look to make an impact as a key developmental backup behind starters David Edwards and Cesar Ruiz. He has an interesting background having played defensive tackle up until two years ago and developing to the point of becoming a fourth round draft pick. Him being selected so high given his situation is a testament to his work ethic and his talent which was highlighted with how well he did down at the Senior Bowl this year. With their other pick in the fourth round the Saints selected Bryce Lance who will look to become a key role player in the wide receiver room. Lance brings a combination of size and speed to the room no one else quite has confirmed by his 9.94 RAS score. Lance was a focal point for the North Dakota State offense and was always a threat to score with his explosiveness to get vertical down the field or run away from defenders with his 4.34 speed.
Moving ahead to the fifth round where the Saints were scheduled to have two picks before they traded the 150th pick to the Raiders for defensive end Tyree Wilson and the 219th pick. So with the 172nd pick the Saints selected safety Lorenzo Styles Jr out of Ohio State. He is another high RAS score prospect with Styles reaching an insane 9.99 RAS score. Styles is ridiculously athletic but still relatively raw as a safety with his coverage and tackling consistency. Look for him to contribute on special teams and providing depth to the secondary.
Moving on the sixth round where the Saints selected wide receiver/return specialist Barion Brown out of LSU. The importance of special teams cannot be overstated as it was a key issue for the team last season and this selection was an attempt to get the special teams back to where it needs to be. Browns path to contributing to the team looks for him to be squarely in the mix as the main returner on special teams. Brown had over 2k return yards during his collegiate career and looked dynamic with the ball in his hands. When he is not returning he has a chance to contribute as a gadget type of player on offense.
Looking ahead to the seventh round where the Saints selected defensive back TJ Hall out of Iowa. Hall deviates some from the rest of his peers in his draft class as his RAS only came in at 5.32. While his athletic score may be lower he makes up for it with his instincts and his smarts on the field. Hall has a good feel for zone and plays the run well. He has an opportunity to carve out a role on special teams and providing depth as a versatile defensive back.
Recapping the Saints draft class as a whole -
1st round - WR Jordyn Tyson
2nd round - DT Christen Miller
3rd round - TE Oscar Delp
4th round - OG Jeremiah Wright and WR Bryce Lance
5th round - SAF Lorenzo Styles Jr.
6th round - WR/RS Barion Brown
7th round - DB TJ Hall
Offense was definitely a theme and focus of this draft class. This class shows the Saints clear belief in Tyler Shough and wanted to surround him with as much talent as they can to aid his development. Between free agency and now the draft I believe the offense will look much different next season. The players they have added will bring some much needed explosiveness and depth to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints came into the draft with their number one goal of addressing wide receiver as it was clearly the worst group on the roster and with the picks of Tyson, Lance they might have turned a weakness into a legit strength going into next season. Also the addition of Oscar Delp could really be a wildcard with this draft class as someone who can really surprise us once the pads are put back on again.
With so much focus on the offensive side of the ball the defensive side felt neglected some with the only pick on that side of the ball in the first two days of the draft being Christen Miller in round two. But Miller did address arguably the biggest need on the defensive side of the ball as an interior defensive lineman considering how they fared last season with the run defense. I liked the picks of Styles and Hall later in the draft as players who differ in their profiles but can bring the Saints value through special teams. I can see the Saints prioritizing adding to the defensive side of the ball in the draft come next year but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself there.
Offense was definitely a theme and focus of this draft class. This class shows the Saints clear belief in Tyler Shough and wanted to surround him with as much talent as they can to aid his development. Between free agency and now the draft I believe the offense will look much different next season. The players they have added will bring some much needed explosiveness and depth to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints came into the draft with their number one goal of addressing wide receiver as it was clearly the worst group on the roster and with the picks of Tyson, Lance they might have turned a weakness into a legit strength going into next season. Also the addition of Oscar Delp could really be a wildcard with this draft class as someone who can really surprise us once the pads are put back on again.
With so much focus on the offensive side of the ball the defensive side felt neglected some with the only pick on that side of the ball in the first two days of the draft being Christen Miller in round two. But Miller did address arguably the biggest need on the defensive side of the ball as an interior defensive lineman considering how they fared last season with the run defense. I liked the picks of Styles and Hall later in the draft as players who differ in their profiles but can bring the Saints value through special teams. I can see the Saints prioritizing adding to the defensive side of the ball in the draft come next year but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself there.
All in all the Saints came out of the draft having made eight draft picks and were able to get younger, faster, and more talented at key positions. I’d say this was a successful draft for them but only time will tell. So now we anxiously await to see how these guys look when they step on the practice field. I for one cannot wait and I’m sure you all can’t either.
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LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.

