The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a unique juncture. In Kellen Moore’s first season as head coach, the team went 6-11; nonetheless, the franchise is committing to him for another year, banking on stronger results in 2026. While he struggled to extract much out of a Saints offense that lacked a true starting quarterback, the squad showed flashes of strong potential this past season.
What could they do to improve this year?
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. Could Form Solid 1-2 Punch With Saints Star Chris Olave
There’s much to be done to improve a Saints roster that ranked 28th in scoring and 16th in points allowed in 2025. Many people would say finding a franchise quarterback should be their top priority, although there’s little indication that Coach Moore and the front office plan to lean in that direction.
Like most analysts, PFSN’s Cameron Sheath also doesn’t have the Saints going for a quarterback high in the 2026 NFL Draft. Logging Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles as the team’s first-round pick, Sheath believes New Orleans will commit to building around Tyler Shough with its second pick.
“The Saints addressed their defense in Round 1 and can indulge in a wide receiver early on Day 2,” Sheath wrote in his mock draft. “Surrounding Shough would be the clear priority if it weren’t for the veteran losses, and Omar Cooper Jr. completes an exciting receiver duo with Chris Olave. There’s a lot more to be done, but through two rounds, the Saints have improved massively on both sides of the ball.”
National champion wideout Omar Cooper Jr. is riding high after a solid season with the Hoosiers. Leading head coach Curt Cignetti’s receiving corps, Cooper put up 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also proved his explosiveness on the ground, booking 3 runs for 74 yards and 1 score.
With the Saints only stacking around 18 points per game this past season, there’s a clear need for some reinforcements on offense. Olave was virtually the only featured wide receiver, as Rashid Shaheed, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, came in second with 56 fewer catches.
Tight end Juwan Johnson played a complementary role in the passing game, catching 77 balls for 889 yards and 3 touchdowns (82.3 PFSN TE Impact).
New Orleans’s lack of receiver depth further supports Sheath’s argument for Cooper (24 career touchdowns) at No. 42 in the draft, even though there’s a case to be made for them to target a receiver as early as the first round.
In a draft class that lacks franchise quarterback potential, the best the Saints can do is lean on Shough’s familiarity with the offense and equip him with enough firepower.
