The Saints went an impressive 6-11 after entering last season as the projected worst team in the league by many. They were never true playoff contenders, but they showed encouraging signs of a successful rebuild and now head into 2026 looking to build on that momentum. Under GM Mickey Loomis, the Saints were once infamous for constantly deferring contracts, allowing them to seemingly ignore the salary cap while continuing to compete. A few years removed from that approach, their cap situation has largely stabilized, putting them on more equal footing with the rest of the rebuilding teams around the league.
The Saints bring back their entire 2025 coaching staff, at least at the head coach and coordinator positions. Kellen Moore returns for his second season after making the jump from Eagles offensive coordinator to head coach in New Orleans. Moore runs a Pro-Spread offense that looks a bit different from the one he coordinated in Philadelphia. He’s always done a good job adapting his scheme to his personnel, and with so many key pieces returning, the continuity should allow the offense to keep building instead of having to learn another new system. As an offensive-minded head coach, Moore naturally has more control over the offense than most head coaches, making offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier’s role somewhat of a figurehead compared to other OC jobs around the league. Nussmeier followed Moore from Philadelphia after serving as his quarterbacks coach, and while it’s unclear exactly how much influence he has on the offense, the two have worked well together dating back to their time as position coaches with the 2018 Cowboys.
On the defensive side of the ball, I had plenty of questions about the Brandon Staley hire entering last season. He had previously failed as the Chargers head coach and, in my opinion, had become the biggest misuser of the Fangio system. The Fangio system is built around a bend-don’t-break philosophy with heavy usage of quarters coverage, but Fangio also mixes in different looks and adjusts to stop the run when necessary. Staley’s defenses with the Chargers rarely did that, instead allowing offenses to move the ball almost at will until they eventually “bent” enough to give up touchdowns. It was one of the least dynamic defenses in the league and one of the main reasons I was so critical of the hire in 2025. To his credit, Staley put together a solid first season in New Orleans and showed some meaningful adjustments. The Saints defended the run better than expected and mixed their coverages enough to keep opposing offenses guessing. I still wouldn’t call myself a big Staley supporter, but the decision to retain him makes sense, and I no longer view him as the liability I expected him to be last season.
The more puzzling decision was retaining special teams coordinator Phil Galiano. Unlike Moore and most of his staff, Galiano was promoted from within rather than following Moore from Philadelphia. In his first season leading the unit, the Saints had one of the league’s worst special teams groups, particularly in coverage. A coordinator can’t control how accurate his kicker is or how strong his punter’s leg is, but he can control the coverage units and blocking schemes, and that’s where the Saints struggled most throughout 2025. I understand the value of keeping a successful coaching staff together, but Galiano’s unit simply wasn’t successful and enters 2026 with more questions than answers.
Overall, Mickey Loomis has done a good job building both the roster and coaching staff while working through the lingering effects of the Saints’ old salary cap strategy. With the financial situation now in a much healthier place, New Orleans appears ready to move out of the rebuilding phase and take advantage of a relatively winnable division.
Quarterbacks (24th)
The quarterback situation in New Orleans has been a bit of a mess in recent years, and last season looked like more of the same entering Week 1. Eventually, Tyler Shough took over the starting job and played quite well as a rookie. The second-round pick finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, first among quarterbacks ahead of fellow rookie starters Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, and Shedeur Sanders. Shough will turn 27 early this season, one of the biggest knocks on his draft profile, but he’s already proven to be a capable NFL starter. He may not have the highest ceiling because of his age, but there’s still room for growth, and he could establish himself in the next tier of NFL quarterbacks as early as this season. I also think there’s a chance he ultimately isn’t the long-term franchise quarterback in New Orleans, but for now his job is secure and he looks every bit like an NFL-caliber starter.
Spencer Rattler, for his part, didn’t look awful while starting early in the season. He’s probably not one of the 32 best quarterbacks in the league, but he’s close enough to be an ideal backup with meaningful starting experience. That raises the floor of this quarterback room quite a bit. Because of that, I’d be comfortable carrying just two quarterbacks into the season. If the Saints decide to keep a third, Zach Wilson is an interesting reclamation project who has really started to bounce around the league at this point. Finally, 2025 undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers rounds out the room, but he hasn’t done anything to suggest he’s in serious contention for a roster spot.
Running Backs (15th)
For the first time in quite a while, the Saints have a new-look running back room thanks to the addition of Travis Etienne Jr. Etienne has been a streaky, do-it-all back in Jacksonville and now looks set to take over the three-down role in New Orleans. He isn’t an elite running back, but he falls into the group of quality starters you’re more than happy to have leading your backfield.
Behind Etienne is longtime starter Alvin Kamara. Kamara has declined a bit after spending years among the league’s top running backs and now projects into a backup role. There have been discussions about reworking his contract or potentially making him a cap casualty, but for now I’m assuming he sticks around. Kamara still has excellent vision and can make impact plays, even if his body can no longer handle a full workload.
Devin Neal, the Saints’ sixth-round pick in 2025, spent last season backing up Kamara. In limited opportunities, he totaled 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards. He’s a nice change-of-pace back who should make the roster and could even emerge as the primary backup. Kendre Miller is a similar style of back but has struggled to stay healthy since being drafted in 2023. It feels like the Saints have started to move on from him, but if he can finally stay healthy, there’s still enough talent for him to carve out a role.
It’s rare to see a team keep more than four running backs, but there are enough options behind the top four to make this an interesting competition. Audric Estime has been a productive power back who has struggled to stick on an NFL roster. He actually out-snapped Kendre Miller last season because of Miller’s injuries and shouldn’t be counted out, especially if Kamara ends up being released. Ty Chandler also arrives from Minnesota, where I liked what I saw from him. There are plenty of running back rooms where I’d consider Chandler a near lock for the RB3 job, but this isn’t one of them, and it’s difficult to find a roster spot for him. Finally, Ohio State undrafted free agent C.J. Donaldson is a player I expected to be drafted, but he appears to be competing for a practice squad spot rather than a place on the initial 53-man roster.
Weapons (17th)
Wide Receivers (13th)
Chris Olave has been an incredibly consistent WR1 for the Saints whenever he’s been healthy. The problem has been keeping him on the field. When he does play, though, he’s a quarterback’s dream. He’s a polished route runner with reliable hands and excellent speed.
What could elevate this wide receiver room from good to great is the addition of first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was my top-ranked wide receiver in this class from a pure talent perspective, but I ultimately dropped him behind Carnell Tate because of injury concerns. The Saints decided to take that gamble, pairing him with the oft-injured Olave. Tyson is a bigger-bodied receiver who should complement Olave well, but he’s much more than just a contested catch threat. He has the route running ability and hands to eventually develop into a true WR1. If that happens, this duo could become one of the best in the league. Until then, I think they sit just below that top tier.
The likely starter in the slot is Devaughn Vele, whom the Saints traded for last season and quickly fell in love with. Vele is a big slot receiver whose biggest strength is his blocking, a unique skill set for a wideout. He gives the Saints another asset in the run game while still contributing in the short passing attack. The Saints also traded for the injured Ja’Lynn Polk last season. A former second-round pick by the Patriots, Polk was labeled a bust almost immediately. He has barely seen the field, and when he has, the production hasn’t been there. Still, a change of scenery could help unlock some of his potential. He could rotate in as a contested catch option, although that role isn’t especially necessary when Olave and Tyson are healthy. I expect Polk to settle in as a true backup unless injuries create a larger opportunity.
The Saints also spent two more draft picks on wide receivers this year. In the fourth round, they selected Bryce Lance. Lance is a bigger vertical threat who could eventually fill the Rashid Shaheed role from last season, although I expect his opportunities to be fairly limited early on as he develops. They also selected Barion Brown in the sixth round. Brown is undersized and never showed particularly refined route running in college, doing most of his damage with the ball in his hands. He could carve out a role as a gadget player, but I imagine he’s primarily being brought in for his kick return ability.
Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr., and Ronnie Bell all return after playing minor roles in 2025, but they appear to be getting phased out of the offense. Tipton is a respected former undrafted free agent who operates primarily from the slot but has seemingly lost his role. Austin played reasonably well when given opportunities last season, but with three rookie receivers now ahead of him, it’s difficult to find a path to a roster spot. The same goes for Ronnie Bell, who was already buried behind Tipton and Austin, along with Trey Palmer. Palmer was a receiver I really believed in during his time in Tampa Bay, but he never quite put everything together and didn’t play a single snap for New Orleans last season.
Bub Means is a former fifth-round pick who flashed some potential but has dealt with so many injuries that he’s become something of an afterthought. At this point, all signs point toward him being released when rosters are trimmed to 53 players. Jalen Moreno-Cropper is a journeyman who has contributed more on special teams than offense, while Brock Rechsteiner is a relatively unknown undrafted free agent out of Jacksonville State.
There are legitimate injury concerns with this wide receiver group, but if Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson stay healthy, they should form one of the better duos in the league. Vele fills his role well, but the Saints still lack a true WR3. They’re hoping Lance, Brown, or Polk can take that next step, but for now there’s a noticeable hole in the depth chart, particularly when it comes to consistent vertical playmaking.
Tight Ends (16th)
One thing I failed to mention in the wide receiver write-up is that TE Juwan Johnson plays a lot like a receiver and isn’t a traditional in-line tight end. He’s still this team’s TE1, but the Saints primarily line him up in the slot and ask another tight end to line up next to the tackles. Backup Noah Fant doesn’t exactly fit that role either. He’s bigger than Johnson, but he’s much more of a receiving threat than a blocker.
With in-line tight end Foster Moreau and blocking specialist Jack Stoll leaving this offseason, the Saints turned to third-round pick Oscar Delp. Delp is by no means a blocking specialist, but he is a bigger-bodied in-line tight end who showed promise as a blocker at Georgia. If he isn’t ready to handle that role by Week 1, the Saints also have 2025 seventh-round pick Moliki Matavao and Zaire Mitchell-Paden, both of whom played small roles last season. Matavao profiles as more of a blocking option, while Mitchell-Paden provides additional depth. Rounding out the room are Treyton Welch and undrafted free agent Cody Hardy, both of whom are likely competing for practice squad spots.
The Saints’ tight end room isn’t loaded with star power, but Juwan Johnson is one of the better pure receiving tight ends in the league, and both Fant and Delp are intriguing complementary pieces. If Delp develops into the in-line blocker they’re hoping for, New Orleans should have the flexibility to use plenty of 12 and even 13 personnel. For now, though, this group lands right in the middle of the pack at 16th in my rankings, with room to climb if the blocking comes together.
Offensive Line (15th)
Offensive Tackles (21st) & Interior Offensive Line (7th)
While the tackle room ranks just 21st in my rankings, the Saints are hopeful they’ve found their tackle duo of the future. After spending first-round picks on tackles in back-to-back drafts, they may have finally solved the position.
2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga starts at right tackle. He’s an excellent run blocker but still has room to grow in pass protection. He’s not a perfect player, but he’s trending in the right direction and already helps the offense more than he hurts it. On the opposite side is 2025 first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr., who played his rookie season at just 21 years old and looked impressive. I can’t rank him too highly after only one season, especially since I wasn’t particularly high on him as a prospect, but he’s certainly looked the part of a future star so far.
Behind the starters, the depth becomes much more questionable. Asim Richards is the only backup tackle I expect to make the roster, but he’s not someone you want playing extended snaps. Beyond him are Xavier Truss and Barry Wesley, two free agent additions from last year who remain very unproven. Rounding out the tackle room are undrafted free agents Alan Herron and Alex Wollschlaeger. Both are at least somewhat intriguing and project as solid practice squad candidates. If the Saints need additional tackle depth, Dillon Radunz can always slide back outside, but he’s looked much more comfortable at guard and is better suited as the primary interior backup.
On the interior, center Erik McCoy continues to grade out as one of the league’s best when healthy. The problem is that he’s played just 14 games over the past two seasons after also missing time in multiple years before that. Those injuries have not only limited McCoy’s recognition around the league, they’ve also played a major role in the Saints’ struggles to consistently protect their quarterback. At right guard, former first-round pick Cesar Ruiz might be the definition of an average NFL starter. He’s a perfectly capable starting guard, but not much more than that, and occasionally a little less. The Saints aren’t actively looking to replace him, but he’s also someone they could eventually upgrade. His experience at center gives New Orleans valuable flexibility if McCoy misses time again. The third starter is David Edwards, who signed with the Saints this offseason after spending the past three years in Buffalo. He’s been a dependable starter throughout his career and should provide a noticeable upgrade over Radunz, who remains an important backup.
Torricelli Simpkins III is currently the backup center and could once again be called upon if McCoy gets hurt. The undrafted free agent started two games last season and had his share of growing pains. William Sherman, another reserve who started two games last year, returns to compete for a roster spot. The Saints also added fourth-round rookie Jeremiah Wright, a powerful run blocker who still needs considerable development in pass protection and probably won’t have a major role as a rookie. Rounding out the room is Easton Kilty, an undrafted free agent from last year who did not see the field.
As things stand, this is a fairly average offensive line that comes in 15th in my rankings. However, if McCoy can finally stay healthy and one or both young tackles develop into stars, this unit has a chance to become the defining strength of the Saints for years to come.
Offense (23rd) – Pass Game (22nd) – Run Game (12th)
The overall offense comes in 23rd in my rankings, weighed down largely by a passing game that ranks 22nd. Another year of development from Tyler Shough, along with better injury luck across the board, could do wonders for this unit, but as things stand today there’s simply too much uncertainty for me to rank them any higher.
The run game, however, is a different story. A deep running back room paired with a strong run-blocking offensive line gives the Saints the 12th-ranked rushing attack in the league. It’s a clear strength of this offense and something they can lean on if Shough struggles or simply doesn’t take that next step.
Defensive Line (24th)
Interior Defensive Line (28th)
The Saints’ interior defensive line lacks a true headliner and enters 2026 with plenty of question marks. Bryan Bresee, a hybrid defensive end who frequently kicks inside, projects as the best player in the group after showing encouraging flashes last season. Bresee struggled through much of his career after being selected in the first round in 2023, but he finally began to show signs of putting everything together.
Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd are expected to start alongside Bresee. Both are experienced veterans, but each is probably better suited as part of a rotation. Godchaux is the run-stuffing nose tackle, while Shepherd provides more value as a pass-rushing three-technique.
The Saints are also hoping second-round rookie Christen Miller can become an important part of the rotation. He’s not really a three-down defensive tackle, generating most of his value as a run defender. Meanwhile, 2025 third-round pick Vernon Broughton will likely see more work on passing downs after playing very little as a rookie.
John Ridgeway III and Khristian Boyd have both been solid depth pieces, but they could become roster casualties if the Saints choose to prioritize the pair of Day 2 defensive tackles they’ve drafted over the past two years. Former edge prospect Myles Cole is also in the mix after transitioning inside and could become an intriguing developmental project, especially if the Saints are able to keep him on the practice squad.
The Saints also added three undrafted free agents this year in Zxavian Harris, Keeshawn Silver, and Jay’Viar Suggs. Harris is talented enough that I expected him to be drafted, but significant off-field concerns caused him to fall out of the draft entirely. If those concerns ultimately keep him from sticking, Silver stands out as a strong developmental practice squad candidate.
Edge Rushers (17th)
The Saints’ edge room is a difficult one to rank. Cameron Jordan, the team’s sack leader last season, is now 37 years old and seems due for some regression, but he really turned back the clock in 2025. I don’t expect another 10.5-sack season, but with Jordan currently projected as a backup, he should still provide plenty of value in a more limited role.
The team’s true No. 1 edge rusher is Chase Young. While Young never fully lived up to the expectations that came with being the second overall pick by Washington, he’s started to resemble that player since arriving in New Orleans. After recording 10 sacks last season, he’s developed into a very productive pass rusher. I still think he’s a tier or two below the elite edge defenders in the league, but he’s become a legitimate No. 1 option.
Carl Granderson is the ideal complement opposite Young. He’s an excellent run defender who also provides steady pass-rushing production. He isn’t the type of player you’d want leading an edge room, but he’s exactly the kind of No. 2 rusher every team wants alongside a player like Young.
The Saints also traded for former first-round pick Tyree Wilson as a reclamation project. In a smaller role as the fourth edge rusher, he can provide some explosiveness off the bench, even if he’s still far from a polished pass rusher. Chris Rumph II returns after unexpectedly playing a significant role last season. I expect him to make the roster again, but in a much smaller role as a depth piece.
Anfernee Jennings is another interesting addition. He filled a unique role in New England’s defensive scheme, so it’s unclear exactly how he’ll be used in New Orleans, or even if he’ll make the final roster, but I still think he’s a talented player. Meanwhile, 2025 seventh-round pick Fadil Diggs finds himself buried on a crowded depth chart and could spend another year developing on the practice squad. Finally, undrafted free agent Michael Heldman was a player I liked during the draft process and is another intriguing developmental candidate for the practice squad.
Linebackers (21st)
The linebacker room takes a hit with the departure of longtime starter Demario Davis, but the addition of Kaden Elliss goes a long way toward replacing that production. Elliss, a former seventh-round pick, developed into a quality starter in Atlanta after originally beginning his career with the Saints. Now he’s back in New Orleans as a reliable off-ball linebacker.
Joining him in the starting lineup is Pete Werner, the Saints’ second-round pick in 2021. Werner is the more dependable run defender of the pair, although he can have some lapses in coverage.
Beyond the top two, Danny Stutsman turned some heads as a fourth-round rookie last season. He was still raw, but he flashed the athleticism and explosiveness of a player who could eventually push for a starting role if his development continues. Isaiah Stalbird, a 2024 undrafted free agent, and Jaylan Ford, a 2024 fifth-round pick, should both make the roster primarily because of their special teams value, though Stalbird did see some defensive snaps last season.
Rounding out the room is Jackson Sirmon, a recent addition from the Jets. He’s a player I don’t know a ton about, but with how little depth there is in this group, I’d expect him to stick around on the practice squad.
Overall, this linebacker unit falls into the large middle tier of NFL linebacker rooms, which is a respectable outcome considering the loss of Demario Davis.
Cornerbacks (20th)
The cornerback room may not rank very highly, coming in at No. 20, but that’s at least partially by design. Brandon Staley has started using big nickel personnel heavily, with a bigger defender, in this case a safety, playing as the slot cornerback. That means a significant portion of the Saints’ cornerback depth is actually filled by safeties, who we’ll get to in the safety section.
That isn’t to say the Saints’ traditional cornerback group couldn’t be better, because it certainly could. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a second-round pick in 2024, is beginning to develop into a quality starter. He may still project better as a CB2 long term, but his development as the team’s CB1 has been encouraging. He has historically been better in man coverage, but he played well in Staley’s defense last season, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t repeat or even improve on that performance in 2026.
Quincy Riley took over the other starting cornerback spot in 2025 despite being just a fourth-round rookie. He showed why the Saints trusted him with that role so early, but he also experienced the typical struggles of a young corner. I wouldn’t pencil him in as a long-term starter just yet. He wasn’t a lockdown corner, but he was a playmaker who was only inches away from several additional pass breakups that could have completely changed the perception of his season. With some development this offseason, he could become the answer at CB2, but the Saints also need to be prepared for the possibility that he doesn’t.
I’m a big Isaac Yiadom fan and loved the signing when he originally came to New Orleans. Unfortunately, he struggled last season, and there was no question that Riley outplayed him despite being a rookie. Yiadom has had both good and bad seasons throughout his career, but it increasingly feels like his best role is as an energetic depth piece rather than someone competing for a starting job. If the Saints decide to use a traditional corner in the slot, McKinstry would likely move inside with Yiadom and Riley on the outside, although Yiadom is also a potential slot option himself.
Another outside option is Martin Emerson Jr., the former Brown. Emerson was once viewed as a key piece of a talented Cleveland secondary alongside Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome, but as that group declined over the past few seasons, Emerson’s stock fell as well. He’s a reclamation project who could easily step into a CB2 role if needed, but for now he appears headed toward a reserve role.
Beyond those four, the depth gets much thinner. T.J. Hall is a seventh-round rookie who I expect to make the roster as a developmental zone corner, although I wouldn’t expect much defensive responsibility from him early in his career. Jayden Price and Beanie Bishop provide slot options if the Saints decide they want additional corner depth instead of relying primarily on safeties in the slot. Rejzohn Wright has bounced around the league and is a player I like as a depth option, but it’s difficult to find a roster spot for him with the current competition. Dalys Beanum, a 2025 undrafted free agent, did not see the field last season and profiles more as a practice squad candidate.
The cornerback group should be serviceable, especially if the Saints only need two consistent starters. If everything goes right, they could have two young ascending corners with quality veteran depth behind them. However, there are still questions about who ultimately wins the CB2 job, and McKinstry has yet to prove he’s a true top-tier corner. That uncertainty is why this group remains closer to the middle of the league than the top.
Safeties (13th)
As mentioned in the cornerback section, safety is especially important for this Saints defense in 2026. 2025 third-round pick Jonas Sanker is expected to take over as the starting slot defender. He entered the league as a corner/safety hybrid and should be an ideal fit for the role while also providing flexibility to play deep safety when needed. Another corner/safety hybrid, rookie Lorenzo Styles Jr., is expected to primarily fill the backup slot role behind Sanker.
Those two should help the Saints maintain better run defense even when they deploy nickel personnel. At the traditional safety spots, veteran Justin Reid leads the way. He’s probably the best player in this secondary, especially as a tackler. Former cornerback Julian Blackmon, who has transitioned to safety, is expected to fill the free safety role. Sanker could eventually challenge for that job if the Saints move away from using him primarily in the slot, but for now Blackmon should get the opportunity to continue developing at the position.
Former fifth-round pick Jordan Howden provides quality depth and helps push this group to my 13th-ranked safety room in the league. That’s already five names, but with two of them primarily functioning as slot defenders, the Saints could decide to carry another safety on the roster. If they do, Terrell Burgess is the most likely candidate. The former Bill was forced into a larger role last season and saw limited action in New Orleans. Elliott Davison rounds out the room, but the 2025 undrafted free agent appears more likely to be a practice squad candidate than a member of the initial 53-man roster.
Defense (25th) – Front Seven (24th) – Coverage Unit (21st)
The Saints’ defense doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, but it also isn’t a particularly exciting unit. The interior defensive line is the biggest concern, and they lack a true star at any position who can elevate this defense to the next level. They also have just enough questions across multiple position groups to keep the ranking in check.
The offense was the unit that showed the most promise last season, and that’s where the Saints invested most of their resources this offseason. They added a second-round nose tackle and two Day 3 defensive backs in the draft while bringing in just one new starter through free agency, Kaden Elliss. No disrespect to Elliss, but I view that as a downgrade from 2025 Demario Davis.
The result is a defense that ranks just 25th in my rankings and lacks the high-end upside that many other lower-ranked defenses around the league possess. This will be an important test for Brandon Staley as he looks to prove that last season’s improvement was sustainable.
Specialists (24th)
We have a kicker competition in New Orleans, with incumbent Charlie Smyth being challenged by Tanner Brown. Brown most recently came from Atlanta, but I thought he showed he was an NFL-caliber kicker during his time with the Rams before that. Neither kicker is a sure thing, but I’ll give Smyth the edge to win the competition heading into the season.
At punter, the Saints improved by bringing in Ryan Wright from Minnesota. As much as someone can be a fan of a punter, I like Wright and was surprised Minnesota moved on from him. Zach Wood also returns as the long snapper. The Saints’ special teams units have struggled recently, so I wouldn’t have hated a change for the sake of change, but by all accounts Wood remains a reliable long snapper.
At returner, rookie Barion Brown is expected to take over those duties, especially if Mason Tipton fails to make the roster. Other options could include Kendre Miller or Ty Chandler depending on how the running back competition plays out.
The kick coverage unit was a disaster last season, and with Phil Galiano returning to lead the group, I’m not particularly optimistic that things will suddenly improve. One thing working in the Saints’ favor is that I think the bottom of their 53-man roster is stronger than it was last season, which should lead to better special teams players and raise the ceiling of this unit.
A new punter and returner keep this group out of the bottom tier, but I still have significant concerns about Saints special teams heading into 2026.
Win Prediction (Under 7.5)
The Saints won a surprisingly high six games last season, but I just don’t see them increasing that total to eight wins in 2026. There is legitimate potential for the offense to improve, but I don’t expect this unit to become an elite offense overnight. Without that level of offensive production, I don’t think the defense and special teams are strong enough to consistently carry this team to eight wins.
The schedule is also tougher than you’d expect from a fourth-place NFC South schedule. They do get winnable matchups against their division opponents and a few other favorable games sprinkled throughout, but I see more opportunities for losses than wins. I don’t think this team is likely to be a true bottom feeder in 2026, but I do expect them to fall short of expectations and finish under 7.5 wins.
