Best Saints from 2025
By: Jake Rajala
The New Orleans Saints were far from perfect last season. However, there was growth. The Saints defense was noticeably better in 2026 than 2025. They were also 5-4 under the rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. He was second in OROY votes. With that said, I’m going to reflect on 2025 and lay out the best Saints from 2026.
Honorable Mention: Juwan Johnson
Juwan Johnson was a stud early in the season, disappointing in the middle of the season, and then he went to his usual impressive self. Juwan proved that he was worth his big contract. He is an athletic freak with sure hands. He is 29, so it’s not that old in TE years. He had 889 receiving yards and averaged 11.5 YPC. With Shough at QB next season for the full 17 games, I believe Johnson should be able to punch his ticket to the pro bowl.
7. Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks wasn’t Trent Williams, but he was a modest left tackle. Let it be known that he was also a rookie! He had a PFF grade of 73.3 last season. It was average in my opinion. Nonetheless, he did progress last season, which was most important. He is slightly better than the right tackle Taliese Fuaga in the run game, so it’s vital he can stay consistent and healthy. They really need him with Alvin Kamara struggling.
6. Cameron Jordan
Cameron Jordan turned back the clock last season. After having six sacks in 2023 and 2024 combined, he unleashed 10.5 sack last season. He also had 15 QB hits, 15 tackles for loss, and a couple of forced fumbles. He recorded a PFF grade of 76, which was 24th among edge rushers. He was a Pro Bowl snub in my opinion.
5. Alontae Taylor
Alontae Taylor is one of the best slot corners in the game. He can cover man to man, drop into zone, and blitz quite well. Matter of fact, Taylor has the most sacks by a corner of all time (with several sacks)! Taylor reminds me of a safety, such as Roman Harper or Kenny Vaccaro. Taylor registered several tackles for loss, two sacks, 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and 83 combined tackles last season. He had a middle of the pack PFF grade with a 63.8 grade. It’s been reported that he could get at least 17 million per season in free agency.
4. Tyler Shough
This one is a no-brainer. Tyler Shough was one of their best players. It’s impressive given that he was a rookie. He was consistent and clutch. He was third down machine, even if Chris Olave was his only serious weapon. Shough has proven to be the best Saints QB since Drew Brees. Sorry, Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill, it’s quite true. He had a PFF grade of 74.6, which was 19th among QBs. I would say he’s a Top-15 QB.
3. Demario Davis
Demario Davis refuses to slowdown. He had a season high 143 combined tackles. He also had six TFLs, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He was a side-line to side-line menace, to say the least. I would say he’s not quite as impressive as he was in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He still had a PFF grade of 80.3, which was sixth among LBs. Davis and Jordan are both free agents. It’s unclear if they want to return, or if they want to ride with a team that has a better chance of winning the Super Bowl.
2. Chase Young
I was worried about the Saints gifting Chase Young a hefty contract after an average 2024 season. Well, it sure paid off. He had 10 sacks in 12 games (which was a personal best in sacks), 15 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss (which was also a career-high). He is also 26 years old, which is nine years younger than Jordan. If Young can stay healthy, he can be second team All-Pro at the very least. He is a dark horse DPOY candidate in my opinion.
1. Chris Olave
Chris Olave was an absolute stud last season. He almost retired due to concussions, but he decided to stay. Saints fans are thankful that he stayed because he was magical. He had 100 receptions, nine touchdowns, and 1,163 receiving yards. He was awarded second-team All-Pro. He is only 25 years old, so he is just entering his prime. If Olave and Shough work out together every day this offseason, they could have elite chemistry in 2026.
With that laid out, it’s encouraging that three out of the top four players are 26 or younger. The Saints are younger than people realize. I hope the Saints hit on their 2026 draft and have a rookie that will be one of their top several players in 2026.
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