2026 Saints draft class superlatives: Best scheme fit, phone call

Draft grades are old hat. Evaluating rookies with letter grades is easy, and you can find it anywhere. So we're taking it up a notch (or at least having for more fun with it) by assigning superlatives to the New Orleans Saints' rookie class. We're putting some more thought into it, considering context of where guys were drafted, and letting their unique skill sets and personalities shine a little brighter. So, taking a cue from our friends over at Chargers Wire, we've highlighted some standouts from the Saints' rookie draft class in a couple of different categories:

Best bang for buck: WR Bryce Lance

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Lance was a consensus top-100 prospect going into the draft, so to get him at No. 136 (late in the fourth round) is great value. He can flat-out fly down the sideline, and that athleticism will give him an edge against opponents who write him off as a small-school flash in the pan. At the same time, Lance did run a very limited route tree at North Dakota State, so he could take a back seat to some receivers who are more ready to play on Sundays.

The eyebrow-raiser: DT Christen Miller

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This is nothing against Miller as a prospect; it just wasn't a popular belief that defensive tackle was as big a priority as cornerback or edge rusher in Round 2. And it wasn't. Mickey Loomis admitted after the draft that the Saints tried to trade up and address those positions but couldn't agree to a deal with anyone, and they chose to go with Miller rather than force a pick at a position of greater need. Miller should still play a lot of snaps right away with Davon Godchaux falling out of favor late last season.

Best scheme fit: WR Jordyn Tyson

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Tyler Shough showed a preference for curls, outs, and comeback routes attacking the defense between 10 and 19 yards, and Tyson was lethal at that distance. He had more yards on passes targeting that part of the field (284) than anywhere else last season. He was even better the year before (477 yards) when he wasn't dealing with a hamstring injury. That he averaged 5.1 yards after the catch per reception in his career is impressive, too. Chris Olave was at 2.9 and Devaughn Vel hit just 1.3.

Day 3 pick most likely to start: DB Lorenzo Styles Jr.

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Styles will play right away as a gunner on special teams; his 4.2 speed in the 40 yard dash and 500-ish career snaps in the kicking game will make sure of it. But he could be an option to guard the slot after Alontae Taylor left in free agency, too. Ohio State lined him up in that role more often than anywhere else when he did get to run with the defense.

Best draft day phone call: TE Oscar Delp

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It's got to be Delp. Between his brothers pummeling him when the pick came in and the family's big brown dog -- wearing a very stately red Georgia bowtie on its collar -- patiently waiting for someone to make room on the couch (they took Delp's seat), it's an instant classic. All of these videos were great but this one stands apart.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 Saints draft class superlatives: Best scheme fit, phone call