2 underrated Saints sleepers who could break out in 2026 NFL season

Star player Cameron Jordan is returning to the New Orleans Saints on a one-year, incentive-based deal, ensuring that one of the franchise’s greatest defensive players remains in New Orleans for another season. This move provides the Saints with leadership, depth, and a familiar presence as Kellen Moore works to build the team back toward contention.

Chris Olave’s status is also something to monitor after he remained limited during offseason workouts. Moore mentioned that Olave is still ramping up and is not yet participating in team drills, which highlights the focus on the Saints’ revamped offensive depth heading into 2026.

The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a unique but intriguing position, as they are neither a finished product nor a complete teardown. After years of pushing money forward and patching up gaps to squeeze one final competitive season out of an aging core, New Orleans now feels like a team with a clearer future.

So, the Saints already understand Jordan’s impact on the locker room, and they know what Olave can achieve when healthy and realize that established names like Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis still hold value. However, the 2026 season cannot solely depend on familiar players holding everything together.

Two players stand out as underrated breakout candidates whose development aligns with the team’s needs: one has the potential to change field position immediately and can earn more offensive snaps, while the other can provide Moore with another young target in a tight end room that requires more than steady veterans.

Barion Brown, WR

Although Barion Brown was drafted in the sixth round, his path to making an immediate impact as a rookie is clearer than his draft position might suggest. The Saints selected Brown with the No. 190 pick out of LSU, and his team profile emphasizes why he stands out among typical late-round receivers. He was one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country, finishing his college career with six kickoff return touchdowns and setting an SEC record for career kickoff return yardage.

New Orleans needs explosive plays wherever possible, and with a young offense led by Shough, they require short fields, hidden yards, and momentum-changing plays that can shift the energy of a game before the offense even takes a snap. Brown offers the Saints the opportunity to create those moments without needing him to become a polished NFL receiver overnight, and the key with him is that his breakout may not begin with 60 receptions.

A realistic first step for him is excelling in special teams. In today’s NFL, the return game has regained significance, and players capable of flipping field position hold more value than in previous years. Brown’s speed, vision, and acceleration provide him with a genuine chance to become one of the Saints’ most important non-starters.

While fans may not discuss returners in the same way they talk about No. 1 receivers, coaches absolutely understand the importance of a player who can gain 20 or 30 yards in a single moment.

His offensive role is the more intriguing long-term consideration, and the Saints’ receiver room is more populated than it was last year, with Olave still the standout when healthy, and the addition of younger options.

This approach is exactly how a late-round playmaker can evolve into a significant asset. Brown’s college production as a receiver was solid but not overwhelming, which is why he was drafted in the sixth round. The NFL has room for specialists who can transition into broader roles, as his development will hinge on trust. Can he handle assignments? Can he protect the football? These questions will influence his rookie season.

Oscar Delp, TE

Oscar Delp may not be the most talked-about name in the Saints’ offensive rebuild, but that could make him worth watching.

The rookie tight end out of Georgia joins a position group that has experience but still requires a younger player to raise the team’s overall performance. Juwan Johnson provides New Orleans with a veteran receiving option, while Taysom Hill, when healthy, brings his unique hybrid role. The Saints have additional players competing for snaps, but this does not eliminate the opportunity for Delp, and it allows him to develop without the pressure of being the sole solution from the start.

What makes this situation intriguing is Delp’s fit with Coach Moore. Moore’s most successful offenses have typically valued players who create matchup challenges, and a tight end does not have to be a superstar to contribute to that. He must block effectively to stay on the field, run precise routes to threaten linebackers, and become a reliable option in the middle of the field.

For a young quarterback, having a target like this can be incredibly valuable; every young passer needs easy answers, and wide receivers can create explosive plays, but tight ends often provide stability for an offense. They occupy soft spots in the defense, operate within the seams, aid in play-action scenarios, and serve as a safety valve when the primary read is unavailable. Delp possesses the size and SEC experience to potentially fill this role for New Orleans.

Although Delp’s college career at Georgia did not make him a national star, partly due to an offense that did not always showcase tight ends in the way NFL teams might prefer, he was taught to block well, understand structure, and handle physical football, and this is typically appreciated by coaches.

The current depth chart reveals an already crowded skill-position landscape, but tight end remains a position where a young player can establish a distinct role. Delp’s best path to playing time lies in his versatility, and a tight end who only catches passes must be exceptional to earn snaps. However, a tight end who can block effectively, find soft spots, and become a reliable red-zone target gives the play-caller greater flexibility. Still, Delp has the potential to become that type of connector.

The offense cannot solely depend on Olave’s health, Kamara’s experience, and Shough’s development, as it requires complementary players who simplify the overall structure. Delp can accomplish this by becoming a reliable chain-mover and a physical presence near the goal line.

His statistics may not skyrocket initially, and a potential breakout for him might include 35 catches, a few touchdowns, better-than-expected blocking, and an evolving role as the season progresses. While this may not seem dramatic, it would be extremely valuable for a young offense.

New Orleans is aiming to build a more sustainable future rather than relying on the old formula of veterans carrying the roster for one more year. Neither Brown nor Delp is a star yet, and that’s the point, as one can impact games on special teams and gradually become a designated weapon, while the other can develop into a trusted tight end for a young quarterback and assist Moore in creating a more versatile offense.

Brown and Delp are two such players.

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