Saints Draft Class Received Low Ranking

NFL Draft on SI ranked the 2026 rookie class 26th overall following injuries and inconsistent performances.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Football

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The New Orleans Saints earned a C- grade for their 2026 rookie class from NFL Draft on SI. The evaluation comes as key players have struggled with injuries and adaptation throughout the season.

Why it matters

The low ranking highlights how injuries and inconsistent development have limited the immediate impact of the team's latest draft picks. The rookie class performance is hindered by player injuries, most notably to wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

NFL Draft on SI assigned the Saints a C- grade, ranking the class 26th overall. Rookie Bryce Lance has logged 251 offensive snaps while recording five catches for 57 yards on 16 targets.

The players

Jordyn Tyson

He is a wide receiver who was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Bryce Lance

He is an offensive player for the New Orleans Saints who has logged significant snap counts during the 2026 season.

Christen Miller

He is a defensive player for the New Orleans Saints who recently recorded a 73.7 PFF grade against the Minnesota Vikings.

The details

Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, selected No. 8 overall, has remained on injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury on August 13, 2026. While Lance has participated in roughly 71.5% of total offensive snaps, fellow rookie Christen Miller recently earned a 73.7 PFF grade following the team's 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The New Orleans Saints selected Jordyn Tyson in the April 2026 draft.
Jordyn Tyson sustained a hamstring injury on August 13, 2026.
NFL Draft on SI ranked the draft class during Week 5 of 2026.
Saints head coach cast doubt on Tyson's return on October 1, 2026.
Jordyn Tyson may return as early as Week 7, 2026, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Season Trajectory

This low ranking signals a challenging start for the team's youth movement compared to the standard set by the 2026 NFL Draft class evaluations. The Saints' current trajectory depends on these rookies developing quickly to turn around the team's standing in the league.

Bryce Lance's usage rate of 71.5% suggests he will continue to be a primary target despite his limited production of 57 yards on 16 targets. Fans monitoring the playoff picture should note that the team's ability to compete depends on whether injured starters like Jordyn Tyson return by Week 7.

The takeaway

The performance of the 2026 rookie class shows that early draft picks do not always translate to immediate on-field success. Developing depth remains critical for teams looking to overcome injuries and improve their overall league standing.