Unlocking Tyler Shough's potential hinges on a game-changing tight end. Discover the prospects who can elevate the Saints' offense from functional to fearsome.
The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a fascinating crossroads heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. With the "Kellen Moore era" in full swing and young quarterback Tyler Shough coming off a revelatory 2025 campaign, the front office is no longer just looking for "best player available", they’re looking for the missing piece to evolve this offense into a truly elite unit.
That piece? A dynamic, modern tight end.
The Case for the Tight End
While Juwan Johnson has been a steady contributor and Taysom Hill remains the league’s most delightful Swiss Army knife, the Saints' offense currently lacks a "gravity-shifting" threat at the position. In Moore’s system—which thrives on creating mismatches and utilizing the seam—a high-end tight end isn't just a luxury, it’s the engine.
With Chris Olave drawing double coverage and the run game evolving, a vertical threat at TE would force safeties to stay honest, effectively "unlocking" the intermediate passing game for Shough. If New Orleans wants to maximize their young QB's window, they need a player who can be a primary target, not just a safety valve.
Prime Candidates for the Black & Gold
The 2026 class offers a diverse menu of archetypes. Here are the three prospects who fit the Saints' current trajectory:
1. Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)
- The Profile:6'3", 245 lbs | Elite Athlete
- Why He Fits: Sadiq is the consensus TE1 for a reason. He’s essentially a jumbo wide receiver with a 40-plus inch vertical. In a Saints uniform, he’d be the perfect "move" tight end, capable of lining up in the slot or out wide. If the Saints are picking in the top 15, Sadiq is the home-run swing that gives Moore the ultimate chess piece.
2. Max Klare (Ohio State)
- The Profile: 6'4", 240 lbs | High-Floor Technician
- Why He Fits: The Saints have a well-documented love affair with Buckeyes (see: Olave).Klare is a refined route-runner who understands how to find soft spots in zone coverage.He might not have Sadiq’s raw explosiveness, but his chemistry with fellow OSU alum Olave and his reliability in the red zone would make him an instant favorite for Shough.
3. Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)
- The Profile: 6'4", 235 lbs | Former QB / Hybrid Weapon
- Why He Fits: If you want to replace the versatility of an aging Taysom Hill, Stowers is your man. A former dual-threat quarterback, he plays with a unique "QB vision," finding lanes and anticipating breaks. He’s a "matchup nightmare" against linebackers and fits the mold of the modern, pass-first tight end the NFL is pivoting toward.
My 2 Pennies
The Saints have spent the last few years patching holes with veterans and mid-round projects. In 2026, the strategy should change. Whether it's the freakish athleticism of Kenyon Sadiq or the polished reliability of Max Klare, New Orleans needs to prioritize a pass-catching tight end early.
General Manager Mickey Loomis has signaled a shift toward a "Best Player Available" strategy for 2026, a luxury afforded by the success of the 2025 rookie class. However, in the high-stakes environment of the NFC South, "best player" should coincide with "biggest impact."
A transformative tight end is the ultimate "impact" move. It’s the difference between an offense that is functional and an offense that is fearsome. If the Saints pull the trigger on a Day 1 or early Day 2 tight end, it will be the loudest declaration yet that the retooling is over and the window for a championship has officially reopened.
Giving Tyler Shough a premier target in the middle of the field isn't just about drafting a position, it's about finishing the rebuild of an offense that finally looks ready to compete for the NFC South crown.