2026 Team Outlook: New Orleans Saints
RB Alvin Kamara, NO - Over the Hill (decreased production)
A rib injury early in 2022 cost Kamara two games, but over his 15 starts that season, he still produced 1,387 combined yards, albeit with a career-low four touchdowns and 57 receptions. New Orleans gave him 280 total touches (18.7 per game), but his rushing efficiency suffered (4.0 yards per carry). Kamara cracked the 100-yard rushing mark twice (23/103 and 23/107), but his receiving role faded badly down the stretch. Kamara's final five games produced just 2/11, 2/13, 2/34, 1/7, and 1/3 in the passing game. The lone bright spot late was a 158- combined-yard, two-touchdown, nine-catch performance. A league suspension kept Kamara out for the start of 2023. Once he returned to the lineup, the Saints immediately leaned on him, giving him 24 touches in his first game back, including 13 catches for 33 yards. Over a five-game stretch from Week 4 through Week 8, Kamara caught fire, totaling 548 combined yards, three touchdowns, and 39 receptions, a robust 22.36 PPR points per game. That said, his per-touch numbers told a different story, with just 3.7 yards per carry and 5.8 yards per catch. New Orleans then dialed back his workload over the next eight games (94 carries for 374 yards and
three touchdowns, plus 36 catches for 238 yards, good for 14.40 fantasy points per game). An ankle injury knocked him out of Week 18. Notably, none of his 180 rushing attempts that season gained 20-plus yards, and Kamara was on the field for 69.0% of New Orleans' offensive snaps. At age 29, Kamara rebounded in a big way in 2024, even with a groin injury costing him the final three weeks of the season. He racked up 1,493 combined yards, eight touchdowns, and 68 catches across 296 total touches and produced 10 plays of 20-plus yards, seven of which came through the air. Kamara topped 100 rushing yards in three separate games (20/115/3, 29/155, and 23/112), with his signature fantasy performance arriving in Week 2 (44.00 PPR fantasy points). He cleared the 20-point threshold twice more (24.90 and 27.50), and across his starts overall, Kamara never dipped below a 12.60-point floor in 13 outings. Last year, Kamara missed the final six games with a sprained right knee that didn't require surgery. He comes off his worst NFL season (131/471/1 – 3.6 yards per carry with 33 catches for 186 yards). His best fantasy stats came in five games (13.70, 17.00, 11.20, 12.60, 14.50). Fantasy Outlook: Kamara brings a pass-catching foundation, and the Saints could give him the inside track with goal-line carries. This year's fantasy drafters have put him in the fade category based on his sliding ADP (186) in the National Fantasy Football Championship. If his knee holds up, Kamara should see between eight and 10 rushes per game, which is a reasonable chance at 40 catches. Worth a late flier if New Orleans keeps him around for the 2026 season.
QB Spencer Rattler, NO - Not Draft Worthy
Rattler's college journey began at Oklahoma in 2019, with his standout season coming in 2020 when he threw for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions, while adding 160 rushing yards and six more scores on 81 attempts. After a shaky start to the 2021 season (six games), Caleb Williams took over as the starter, prompting Rattler to transfer to South Carolina for 2022. Over his two seasons there, Rattler completed 67.5% of 798 attempts for 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions, but his rushing production dropped off considerably (150 yards on 170 carries, seven touchdowns). New Orleans took a chance on him in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. The Saints handed him six starts in 2024, and the results were disappointing (a 0-6 record with averages of 197 passing yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions per game). His 57.0% completion rate was a major red flag, while adding some value on the ground (18 carries for 146 yards).
Rattler continued on his losing way last season (1-7) despite a progression in his completion rate (67.7%). He failed to pass for over 235 yards in any matchup, with some value in the run game (31/167). Fantasy Outlook: Rattler will be holding a clipboard in 2026, with much to prove on the field and in the win column.
WR Jordyn Tyson, NO - Gamble (high risk)
INJURY UPDATE: Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss approximately two months with a right hamstring injury. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft suffered the injury during a joint practice session against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Date Suffered: August 13, 2026, during a joint practice with the Jaguars.
- Recovery Timeline: Estimated at about two months, potentially putting his return around mid-October.
- Previous History: While Tyson dealt with separate hamstring and college injuries at Arizona State and Colorado, head coach Kellen Moore noted this specific incident occurred when his foot slipped and he was pushed from behind, making it a new, distinct mechanical injury.
Tyson broke out in 2024, posting 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns over 12 games, but a hamstring injury cost him four starts last season. He finished 2025 with 61 receptions, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns across nine matchups, but his per-catch average dipped to 11.7 yards, down from 14.7 the year before. He closed out 2024 on an absolute heater over his final three games (12/176/2, 9/125, and 8/143/1), a level of production he flashed three times early in 2025 (12/141/2, 8/126/2, and 10/105/10). At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Tyson has the frame to win contested catches and reel in off-target throws even with a defender draped on him. He's effective at creating initial separation thanks to quick hesitation moves and a strong first step. While Tyson has the look of a polished route runner, his success comes more often against zone coverage or on plays where he gets a clean release. Tyson doesn't profile as a true burner who consistently wins one-on-one downfield against man coverage. I expect him to hold up reasonably well against press coverage at the line. His injury history is the real concern; a torn ACL, a collarbone injury, and now a hamstring issue make him a tougher evaluation for NFL teams. Given that risk, I wouldn't view him as a first-round talent, even though his on-field flashes are undeniably exciting. Fantasy Outlook: The Saints viewed Tyson as a difference-maker based on them selecting him eighth overall in this year's draft. In mid- June, he comes off the board as the 35th at wide receiver in the National Fantasy Football Championship. Tyson is an intriguing fantasy player
as opportunity knocks for him in his rookie season. Possible 65 catches for 750 yards with some value scoring, that may work better as an upside WR4 in PPR formats.
Injury Status: Doubtful - HamstringWR Devaughn Vele, NO - Sleeper (undervalued)
UPDATE: Devaughn Vele is healthy and slated to serve as the New Orleans Saints' No. 2 wide receiver following rookie Jordyn Tyson's significant hamstring injury. Rookie Jordyn Tyson (the No. 8 overall pick) suffered a severe hamstring injury during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is expected to miss approximately two months.
- Depth Chart Promotion: With Tyson sidelined until at least October, CBS Sports reports that Vele is the primary candidate to start on the outside opposite WR1 Chris Olave.
Vele's college production was unremarkable across three seasons at Utah State and Colorado State (23/389/1, 55/695/5, and 43/93/3 over 37 games), and combined with him entering his rookie year at age 26, he was an easy player to overlook. Denver took a flier on him in the seventh round of the 2024 draft. He opened his rookie season with a perfect outing in Week 1, hauling in all eight of his targets for 39 yards, but a rib injury sidelined him for the next four games, and Vele was a healthy inactive for three others. Over his final 12 games, he turned in flex-worthy fantasy value six times (4/78, 4/39/1, 4/66, 6/80, 2/21/1, and 4/50/1), and Vele held down WR2- level snap counts in 10 of those contests. His size advantage (6'4" and 210 lbs.) helps his scoring in the red zone, and he should be better equipped to assist in blocking. The Saints acquired Vele last August and gave him low WR2 snaps (39.9%) while having over 85% of their snaps across four games from Week 10 to Week 14. He battled a hip issue in September, missing three games to end the year due to a shoulder issue. Vele finished with 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets, but delivered only two playable games (8/93/1 and 5/69). Fantasy Outlook: Vele will compete for WR3 snaps this year, but he will be challenging to time in the fantasy market. I don't expect him to get drafted in many 12-team redraft leagues.
RB Devin Neal, NO - Deep-league Only
Neal put together three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Kansas, with a fairly consistent receiving role to match each year (21/183/1,
25/217/1, and 24/254/1). Across his college career, he amassed 5,054 combined yards, 53 touchdowns, and 77 catches on 837 total touches, with his scoring peaking in both 2023 and 2024 at 16 touchdowns apiece. Neal topped the 100-yard rushing mark 15 times over his final two seasons, and twice in his career he broke the 200-yard barrier (32/224/1 and 37/207/3). The Saints' young running back projects as more of a steady, dependable contributor than a home-run threat at the next level, especially given his modest 4.58 40-yard dash at the Combine. He reads blocking schemes well and has a good sense for finding running lanes as they open. His game leans more on power than elusiveness, which should make him useful in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He'll offer some value as a receiver out of the backfield, but his pass- blocking still needs work. In his rookie season, New Orleans gave Neal 74 touches, leading to 310 combined yards and two touchdowns. He gained only 3.6 yards per carry and 6.1 yards per catch. His only game of value came in Week 14 (19/70/1 with one catch for 14 yards). Neal missed the final three games with a hamstring issue, while being inactive four times early in the year. Fantasy Outlook: Neal will compete for the Saints' RB3 role over the summer, putting him in the free-agent pool until he secures a better opportunity.
WR Bryce Lance, NO - Deep-league Only
Over his final two seasons at North Dakota State, Lance gained over 1,000 yards each year (75/1,071/17 and 51/1,079/8). He comes to the NFL at 6’3” and 205 lbs. with elite speed (4.34 40-yard dash). His
release and short-area separation won’t create early advantages in his route running. Lance brings an edge to the deep passing game with a good feel for creating open catch windows. He is the younger brother of Trey Lance. Fantasy Outlook: Lance could offer flash value on some plays in his rookie season, but his snaps and targets will be limited.
