Government shutdown travel delays kept Saints from making pro day

Traveling across the country to take part in the college football pro day circuit is essential for NFL teams to gain key insights into players and to get a close look at the next generation of the league's talent. For the New Orleans Saints, that process was affected by the recent government shutdown, which prevented the team from appearing at Kentucky's pro day.

Kentucky offensive lineman Josh Braun is one of several prospects the Saints did not have the opportunity to evaluate in person at the school's pro day, as Braun mentioned in an interview with OnSI's Justin Melo.

"Teams were coming to meet with us," Braun said. "Around Pro Day, the five of us met with the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. The New Orleans Saints were supposed to come in, but they had an issue at the airport and never made it to town."

Braun, a 25-year-old interior offensive lineman, is currently ranked No. 268 on PFF's big board and could serve as a potential depth addition for the Saints. New Orleans recently signed former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman David Edwards to a lucrative four-year contract in free agency. However, there are concerns about Erik McCoy's long-term health and the overall outlook for Cesar Ruiz. It would be wise for the Saints to consider adding depth on the interior line in the draft.

The Saints missed some key opportunities at Kentucky's pro day. Braun recorded a vertical jump of 28.5 inches and a broad jump of 8 feet 3 inches. He also finished with 23 reps on the bench press and posted a time of 7.78 seconds in the 3-cone drill. The most significant aspect the Saints' front office lost was the chance for face-to-face interaction, which is extremely valuable for teams when considering a multi-million-dollar, long-term investment in a player.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints' pro day scouting impacted by travel hiccups