Unlock combine insights and the Saints' draft blueprint. Discover key prospects, strategic picks, and why talent trumps combine buzz for New Orleans.
TJ Jones breaks down the biggest storylines coming out of the 2026 NFL Combine and what they could mean for the New Orleans Saints as the team prepares for the upcoming draft. The episode blends combine analysis with broader conversations about roster construction and how the Saints should approach their No. 8 overall pick.
TJ opens by sharing general takeaways from the combine, emphasizing that while testing numbers and interviews can help confirm what scouts already believe, they should not dramatically change evaluations for players whose game tape already tells the story. He highlights Ohio State defender Sunny Styles as one of the most impressive prospects in the class, pointing to his athletic profile and production as evidence that he could realistically land in the top five picks.
From there, the discussion shifts to the Saints’ strategy with the eighth overall pick. TJ believes the team should prioritize the best player available as long as that player fills a legitimate need on the roster. He runs through several potential targets, including Jeremiah Love, Sunny Styles, Ruben Bane, and Mansour Delane, arguing that elite talent should always outweigh minor concerns that surface during the combine process. In particular, he notes that physical measurements like arm length or wingspan should never overshadow a player’s actual on-field performance.
One of TJ’s strongest opinions centers on the value of drafting running backs early in the draft. While many analysts believe the position has become devalued, he pushes back on that narrative, pointing to players like Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs as examples of running backs who can transform an offense. In TJ’s view, if a back is truly special, selecting them in the top ten can absolutely be justified.
The episode also explores some Saints-specific roster topics. TJ briefly touches on Alontae Taylor’s contract situation and the possibility of a reunion with former Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He also evaluates the team’s current safety group and discusses whether New Orleans should still consider adding another elite defensive back prospect even if the position appears relatively stable.
Later in the show, TJ pushes back on the media’s heavy focus on combine interviews and personality analysis. He argues that prospects should ultimately be judged by what they do on the field rather than how they speak in press conferences or interviews.
The episode also includes a listener call discussing the HBCU Legacy Bowl and celebrating Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South marching band before wrapping up the combine discussion.