Saints' 2026 draft class ranked, from immediate starters to long-term projects
New Orleans' first draft under new GM Justin Williams produced a top-10 quarterback, two probable rookie starters, and a third-day class built around special teams.
ESPN's Mike Triplett published his ranking of the Saints' 2026 draft class on Thursday. New Orleans went into the draft with seven picks across the first five rounds and came out with a quarterback that GM Justin Williams sees as the long-term answer, plus a pair of likely Day 1 contributors. Here's the order.
Who's at the top?
First-round pick Tyler Shough, the LSU quarterback. Shough was the seventh QB taken in the class but Triplett ranks him as the Saints' top pick because of the team's positional need. He's expected to compete for the starting job with Spencer Rattler in training camp. Most national rankings had Shough as a high-end second-round talent, so the Saints reaching at No. 22 was the question of their entire draft.
Who's the most likely immediate starter?
Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, the offensive tackle from Minnesota. Ersery anchored a Big Ten offense for three seasons and projects as the Saints' starting right tackle from Day 1. The team had Trevor Penning at LT under contract through 2027 but no clear answer on the right side. Ersery's combine 40 time (5.18) was the fastest among 6'6"-plus tackles in the class.
What about the third-rounder?
Third-round pick Vernon Broughton, the Texas defensive tackle. He's the Day 1 nickel pass-rusher who can rotate with Bryan Bresee and Khalen Saunders. Broughton's combine production (29 reps on the bench, 7.49 three-cone) gave him one of the best athletic profiles among interior linemen in the class. Triplett ranks him third because his role on a contender is defined and immediate.
Who's a longer-term project?
Fourth-round pick Quincy Riley, the Louisville cornerback. Riley played outside corner in college but the Saints project him as a slot in the NFL after running a 4.50 at the combine. Year one is a backup-and-special-teams role. Triplett expects him to compete for a starting job by 2027 if the development goes well.
What did the Saints prioritize on Day 3?
Special teams and depth. Fifth-rounder Jonah Williams (LB, Florida State) was the top special-teams ace at his school. Sixth-rounder Devin Neal (RB, Kansas) was the school's all-time leading rusher. Seventh-rounder Brashard Smith (RB/WR, SMU) is a versatile gadget piece. None of the three are expected to start in 2026 but all three should make the roster as rotational pieces and core special-teamers.
What's the overall verdict?
B-minus. Triplett gives the class credit for filling positional needs (QB, RT, DT, CB) but flags the Shough reach as a meaningful early-round mistake on the value board. The Saints' rebuild is still mostly about cap restructuring and the next two drafts. 2026 was about adding a possible long-term QB and the rest of the picks were depth. The roster ceiling didn't change much.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Saints' 2026 draft picks ranked from starters to projects
- New Orleans Saints: Saints 2026 draft class profiles
- Canal Street Chronicles: Saints' 2026 draft grades
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