Mel Kiper Jr. gives Saints' 2026 NFL Draft class a 'B' despite one mistake

Mel Kiper Jr. gives Saints' 2026 NFL Draft class a 'B' despite one mistake originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and the New Orleans Saints, in the first year of treating Tyler Shough as a franchise quarterback is now complete.

With the plan to maximize the talent around Shough, it came as no surprise when the Saints took Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall. It was a good pick and was followed by a few other quality offensive upgrades.

However, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., the Saints made one mistake, despite still receiving a "B" grade for their overall haul. The Saints' one mistake? A lack of an edge rusher pick despite a clear need.

Saints made just one mistake amid 'B' graded NFL Draft

"New Orleans Saints: B," Kiper writes. "... But I was hoping the Saints would bring in a young edge rusher to develop before the end of Round 3, considering Cameron Jordan might not be back (and is 37 years old)."

The Saints got a "B" grade despite not adding any edge rushers from this year's draft class. Though they did add an edge rusher during the draft, it just came in the form of a trade for a first-round bust of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tyree Wilson.

It's not the most exciting addition, but it's not a terrible one either. It cost a fifth-rounder, and the Saints are taking a chance on Wilson bouncing back in .