What Are the Saints’ Current Roster Needs and Issues?

Going into the offseason, the New Orleans Saints had a lot to fix. The offense needed a new lead RB, a top WR, and upgrades at interior offensive line For the defense, the roster needed CB depth and a new slot defender, OLBs/DEs, LB depth, and DT upgrades.

Finishing the season off strong was nice, but many of the roster issues were hidden, and with hope high in the organization, those moves needed to be made so the next step could be made.

Looking back on the offseason as a whole, it feels like the Saints did nearly everything they needed to. RB Travis Etienne was signed to be the franchise's lead back, LG David Edwards took over the wide-open starting spot, Jordyn Tyson was selected at 8 to take over the WR2 spot, Martin Emerson was signed and TJ Hall selected in the 7th round to upgrade the CB room a bit, Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Jennings were brought in to improve the OLB/DE depth, Kaden Elliss took over the top LB spot after Demario Davis left in free agency, and DT Christen Miller was selected in the second round.

There were so many important additions to the roster, and the Saints should be able to be better in 2026, but there are still some remaining needs/issues around the team.

EDGE/OLB

I know the Saints' additions of Wilson and Jennings were to help improve the EDGE/OLB group, but it could have been better. Chase Young, on the other side, is the top pass rusher on the team, and that is a great start, but getting a true number 2 guy that can relieve some of the workload from Young would have gone a long way. It's nowhere near a bad group for 2026, but already, I can predict that EDGE may be the biggest need going into the 2027 offseason

Slot CB

This remaining need may very well go away depending on what happens this season, but right now, we do not know what is going to happen at slot CB. Alontae Taylor left in free agency, and the Saints have made it known that one of their many talented safeties could drop down into that role. Also, with the new additions at outside corner, one of the other CBs may move inside. There are potential answers on the roster, but without getting someone this offseason already slot focused, there's a chance nobody can get it done this offseason.

RG

This is similar to slot CB because the Saints did add Jeremiah Wright who could take over and become a starting RG, but not getting a sure thing this offseason still makes it a need. Cesar Ruiz will need to improve in 2026, and if he does, that's great, but we do not know if Wright is going to be the answer.