The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

The 2025 Saints were a tale of two teams. The season started with Spencer Rattler under center, as the team went 1-8 to start the season. Soon, Second-Round pick Tyler Shough took over and the Saints quietly finished 5-3 to be one of the stronger teams in the back half of the season. Could that late season success translate to 2026? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Saints didn’t turn over many key players from the 2025 squad. Instead, it was about building up the core around Shough, who is now installed as the starter. That began in free agency, as the team signed Travis Etienne from the Jaguars to be a force in the backfield. He was RB10 last year. He’s a force on the ground and in the passing game and should pair nicely with veteran Alvin Kamara.

In the draft, the Saints used a First-Round pick on receiver Jordyn Tyson. In three years at Arizona State, Tyson caught 136 passes for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns. He profiles as an interesting No. 2 option opposite Chris Olave. The team also added rookie right end Oscar Delp and veteran Noah Fant to flank Juwan Johnson.

Fantasy Impact

Shough was a strong streaming quarterback option to end 2025 and should have more confidence and better weapons in 2026. I like him as a QB2. In the backfield, Etienne has RB1 upside. I think he finishes as a Top 12 option. Kamara will miss some time at the start of the season but should have deep league flex appeal when he returns.

In the passing game, Olave was WR6 in 2025. I think he’s a low-end WR1 again and should be the primary focus of the Saints’ passing game. Tyson has promise but will miss the first part of 2026. That leaves him as more of a WR4 option for me as I hope he gets on track later in the season. In the interim, I like Devaughn Vele as a flex option. Johnson has been a solid option at tight end, and I like him as a TE2 with upside. Delp is a great dynasty stash.

Prediction

Every year we get teams that go from worst to first in a division. While the Lions are an obvious choice, I think the Saints can make a strong case. I like how they finished 2025 and this is a winnable division. I think Kellen Moore’s team is going to surprise some people.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.