The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 offseason in a surprisingly optimistic position. After years of "salary cap gymnastics," Mickey Loomis has finally found a light at the end of the tunnel. With rookie quarterback Tyler Shough established as the starter and a core of young talent like Chris Olave and Kelvin Banks Jr. flourishing, the Saints are no longer just trying to survive—they’re trying to conquer.

To jump from a "scrappy contender" to an NFC powerhouse, New Orleans needs to use its newly found flexibility to target high-impact veterans. Here are the top five free agents that Kellen Moore and the Saints should target to complete their roster for 2026.

The interior of the Saints' offensive line has been the Achilles' heel of the offense. While Tyler Shough has shown he can play, he’s often doing so while the pocket collapses in his face. Linderbaum is the "white whale" of this free-agent class. At just 26 years old, he is already a three-time Pro Bowler and the gold standard for modern centers.

Signing Linderbaum would allow the Saints to stabilize the middle of the line for the next decade, providing Shough with the security he needs to go through his progressions. In a division where the interior pass rush is king, Linderbaum is a mandatory investment.

With Taysom Hill entering free agency at age 35, the "Swiss Army Knife" role in New Orleans is officially vacant. Enter Deebo Samuel. Even as he gets older, Deebo remains one of the most unique and terrifying threats in the NFL.

Under Kellen Moore’s creative play-calling, Samuel could be the ultimate safety valve for Shough. He can line up in the backfield to alleviate pressure on the aging Alvin Kamara or play the slot to complement Olave’s vertical threat. Adding Deebo isn't just about adding a receiver; it’s about adding an identity.

It’s time for a homecoming. Since leaving New Orleans, Hendrickson has blossomed into one of the league’s premier sack artists, leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024. With Cameron Jordan contemplating retirement and the Saints needing a consistent bookend to Chase Young, bringing back Hendrickson makes too much sense.

The Saints' defense has always thrived on a relentless four-man rush. Pairing Hendrickson’s high-motor pursuit with Young’s athleticism would give New Orleans one of the most feared pass-rushing duos in the league, effectively masking any deficiencies in the secondary.

Alvin Kamara has been the heartbeat of the Big Easy for years, but as he reaches the twilight of his career, the Saints must look for his successor. Travis Etienne is the perfect "Saints-style" back. He is a dual-threat weapon with elite vision and the home-run speed the offense currently lacks in the backfield.

At 27, Etienne is in his prime. Placing him behind an improved offensive line would give the Saints a dynamic run-pass threat that keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and takes the physical burden off a young quarterback.

While technically an "internal" free agent, the Saints’ top priority in the secondary must be retaining Alontae Taylor. Taylor has evolved into one of the best slot corners in the league—a position that has become a "starter" in today’s pass-heavy NFL.

Letting a homegrown talent like Taylor walk would be a step backward for a defense that relies on physical, aggressive man coverage. Securing Taylor on a long-term deal ensures that the "No Fly Zone" in the Superdome remains open for business.

The 2026 offseason is a pivot point for the franchise. If Mickey Loomis can land even two of these names, the Saints won't just be competing for the NFC South title, they’ll be planning a deep January run.