Saints’ most improved position might lead to a problem at roster cutdowns originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New Orleans Saints made a ton of roster moves this offseason to surround Tyler Shough with the best supporting environment possible.
Along the offensive line, the David Edwards signing has completed an underrated unit, while the big additions of Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne Jr. have improved Shough’s weapons.
But, when it comes to the most improved position, it’s obviously the wide receiver room for the Saints this offseason. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell called the WR room the most improved position of the offseason for the Saints, and it’s the right call.
“But they’re looking a lot better after drafting Jordyn Tyson in the first round, developmental receiver Bryce Lance in the fourth, and wide receiver/kick returner Barion Brown in the sixth,” Cronin writes.
However, despite the Saints making a ton of smart additions, focused entirely on the 2026 NFL Draft, they now have a different problem with their WR room: it’s a bit too crowded. At roster cutdown, the Saints will have some tough decisions to make.
Saints have tricky decisions to make with suddenly crowded WR room
The Saints’ WR depth chart is much better than it was when the season ended last year. Chris Olave is still the WR1, but now right behind him is 2026 No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson.
In the slot as the third WR, at least for now, is Devaughn Vele. He was solid last year for the Saints and should be better as a third option rather than the No. 2 in the offense.
Bryce Lance, the brother of Trey Lance, and Barion Brown, an elite returner option, are likely to make the final 53-man roster.
MORE: Chris Olave and the Saints are in extension talks this offseason
That means there are already five receivers set to make the roster this upcoming season. Which means the roster spots after those five are very limited at-best.
Mason Tipton, Bub Means, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kevin Austin Jr., Trey Palmer, Ronnie Bell, and Damien Alford will compete for the final WR spot, if there even is one.
The Saints might have to make some tough cuts this upcoming preseason as teams are forced to cut their rosters down to 53 players.
This is a problem the Saints will have to address at some point, though this isn’t a bad problem to have. After plenty of questions about the WR room, now it seems as if the Saints don’t just have good starters, they have solid depth as well.