Alright Who Dat Nation… now that the schedule is out, you can officially start circling dates and arguing about wins and losses.

And first impression?

This schedule feels like a season that’s gonna tell us exactly who the Saints are.

---

The Good

There are opportunities early.

• Home opener against Detroit
• A very manageable stretch before the bye
• Some young teams mixed in
• A few games the Saints absolutely SHOULD compete in

If this team starts fast, confidence could build quickly.

---

The Tough Part

That middle-to-late stretch gets serious.

• Panthers twice late
• Packers in December
• Road games at Atlanta and Tampa
• Steelers in Paris (which is just weird enough to scare me)
• And Seattle/Chicago style cold-weather football late in the year always matters

That’s where depth and quarterback play get tested.

---

Games Tony Already Has Circled

🔥 Week 4 at Atlanta (MNF)
You already know what that means. Throw records out.

🔥 Week 7 vs Steelers in Paris
One of the strangest Saints games ever scheduled. 8:30 AM football with the black and gold in France? Only the NFL could come up with this.

🔥 Week 13 vs Green Bay
Feels like one of those “prove who you are” games.

🔥 Final stretch vs Falcons and Bucs
Could easily decide the division.

---

What This Schedule Tells Me

The NFL clearly thinks the Saints are interesting again.

Prime time. International game. Better time slots. Bigger matchups.

That usually means:
👉 the league believes the Saints could matter this year

Now the question becomes:
Can the Saints actually take the next step?

Because looking at this schedule honestly…
I see:

• talent
• opportunities
• but also very little room for inconsistency

---

Tony’s Early Prediction?

If the quarterback situation stabilizes and the young weapons hit early, this team can absolutely compete for the division.

But if the offense struggles out the gate?
This schedule could get ugly fast.

Right now?

I see a team somewhere around:
👉 8–9 wins if things break right
👉 fighting for meaningful football in December

And honestly… after the last couple years, Saints fans would take that while this young core develops.

One thing’s for sure:
The Dome better be loud again this season.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation… it’s only rookie minicamp, so nobody needs to start printing Hall of Fame jackets yet.

But let’s be honest — it’s better hearing “he looks the part” than hearing nothing at all.

Early reports out of Saints rookie minicamp say first-round pick Jordyn Tyson made a strong first impression, and honestly, that’s exactly what you wanted to hear after the Saints used the 8th overall pick on him. ()

Saints receivers coach Keith Williams basically described Tyson as checking every box:

• size
• speed
• hands
• athleticism
• run-after-catch ability

And maybe the biggest compliment? He looked comfortable right away. ()

One report even said if you walked onto the practice field without knowing anybody’s name, Tyson would’ve immediately looked like the first-round pick. ()

That matters.

Because after the draft, a lot of fans — myself included — questioned whether the Saints should’ve gone defense instead. Passing on some of the defenders still on the board was a gamble.

But now you can at least start seeing what the Saints front office saw:
👉 explosiveness
👉 confidence
👉 someone who can help this offense immediately

And let’s be real — this offense needed juice.

Now does rookie minicamp guarantee success? Absolutely not.

We’ve all seen “camp stars” disappear once the real games start. But first impressions matter, especially for a player expected to contribute right away.

The good news?
Tyson doesn’t look overwhelmed. He looks like he belongs.

And for Saints fans looking for signs this offense is heading in the right direction… that’s a pretty good start.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation… this is one of those moves that makes you think a little deeper.

The Saints signing Zxavian Harris as an undrafted free agent isn’t about headlines — it’s about taking a calculated risk.

And let’s be honest… it is a risk.

---

The Football Side

On paper, this looks like a steal.

• 6’7”–6’8”, around 330 pounds
• Projected mid-round draft pick
• Versatility across the defensive line
• Run-stuffer with real size and upside

This is the kind of guy who normally doesn’t last past Day 3. Some boards even had him as a top-100 talent before he went undrafted.

Pair him with Christen Miller, and you can already see what the Saints are trying to do:

👉 Get bigger, more physical, harder to run against

That part makes sense.

---

The Reality (And Why He Was Undrafted)

Let’s not dance around it.

Harris didn’t go undrafted because of talent.

He fell because of off-field issues, including multiple arrests over the last couple years.

That’s why this move isn’t just about football — it’s about culture, accountability, and trust.

---

What This Tells Me About the Saints

This is actually a pretty clear signal.

The Saints are saying:

👉 “We’ll take the talent — but you better fall in line.”

They’re betting that:

• their locker room can handle it
• their coaching staff can guide it
• and the player can stay focused

That’s not a small bet.

---

Tony’s Take

I like the move… with caution.

If Harris:

• stays out of trouble
• buys into the system
• and plays disciplined football

This could end up being one of the best value pickups of the entire offseason.

But if not?

He won’t last long.

---

Bottom Line

This is classic UDFA football.

Low risk.
High upside.
Short leash.

And honestly… this is how good teams find hidden pieces.

Now it’s on him.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

“I’m giving it a solid B… and I’m not mad about it.”

Look, if you came into this draft expecting fireworks, you probably feel a little underwhelmed. No big-name splash, no headline pick everybody’s arguing about on TV.

But if you actually watched what they did?
This feels different.

This feels like they’re trying to build a football team again.

---

🧱 It Starts in the Trenches

• Jeremiah Wright
  “331 pounds. SEC. Nasty. That’s how you fix an offense—stop getting pushed around.”

This is the kind of pick that doesn’t trend… but shows up in November.

---

⚡ They Added Speed (Finally)

• Barion Brown
  “This one I like. Real speed. Return game. LSU kid. That’s instant juice if they use him right.”
• Bryce Lance
  “Big body at 6’3”. Either this is a steal… or we’re gonna be asking why he’s not ready. No in-between.”

They didn’t get a “name”—but they added tools.

---

🛡️ Defense Got Deeper (and Tougher)

• Lorenzo Styles Jr.
  “Ohio State DBs? I’ll take my chances. Athletic, flexible—coaches are gonna move him around.”
• TJ Hall
  “Iowa DB. You already know—tackles, discipline, no nonsense.”

No stars here—but fewer weak spots.

---

🧠 Tony’s Real Take

“This draft ain’t winning no Instagram poll.”

“But it might win you a couple ugly games in December.”

You got:

• Bigger up front
• Faster on the edges
• More reliable on defense

That’s how teams quietly get better.

---

📌 Final Grade: B

“Could it be an A? Yeah—if one of those receivers hits big.”

“But right now? Solid B.”

“Only thing missing…
who’s scoring when you need 30?”

The New Orleans Saints didn’t chase headlines with this class—they built something that looks a lot more like identity.

No splashy “win the draft” pick. No viral moment. Just size, speed, and players who fit what this team has been missing.

---

🧱 Building the Foundation

• Jeremiah Wright (OG, Auburn)
  6’5”, 331 lbs. This is a tone-setter. Interior help was needed, and this is a move toward getting physical again up front.
• Bryce Lance (WR, NDSU)
  Big frame at 6’3”. Developmental, but brings size the receiver room lacks. Boom-or-bust type with upside.

---

⚡ Adding Speed and Playmakers

• Barion Brown (WR, LSU)
  Immediate impact potential. Elite speed, return ability, and familiarity for the fanbase. This is your spark plug.

---

🛡️ Reinforcing the Defense

• Lorenzo Styles Jr. (S, Ohio State)
  Athletic and versatile. A modern secondary piece who can be moved around.
• TJ Hall (CB, Iowa)
  Physical, disciplined, and reliable. Not flashy, but exactly the kind of depth championship defenses need.

---

🧠 The Big Picture

This class tells you exactly what the Saints are trying to do:

• Get bigger in the trenches
• Add speed at receiver
• Build depth and toughness on defense

It’s a shift away from chasing stars—and toward building a complete roster.

---

📌 Final Take

This isn’t the class that wins draft grades in April.
This is the kind that wins games in December.

The only real question left:
Do the Saints now have enough firepower to keep up when it turns into a shootout?

Alright… the picture’s starting to come together.

The Saints take Oscar Delp, and now you can clearly see what they’re doing in this draft.

They’re not dabbling.
They’re committing to the offense.

---

What This Pick Says

You don’t take:

• Jordyn Tyson (WR)
• and now Oscar Delp (TE)

by accident.

This is the Saints saying:
👉 “We’re giving this offense weapons.”

Delp gives you:

• a big target in the middle of the field
• a guy who can block and catch
• flexibility in formations

He’s not just a pass catcher — he’s a complete tight end, and that matters.

---

Why It Makes Sense

Let’s be honest — tight end has been up and down for the Saints.

You need someone who can:

• help in the run game
• be reliable on 3rd down
• give the QB a safety valve

Delp checks those boxes.

And coming from Georgia, you know:

• he’s played against top competition
• he understands physical football
• he’s been coached at a high level

---

How It Fits With the Other Picks

Now step back and look at this draft so far:

• Tyson (WR) → speed and explosiveness
• Miller (DT) → physical presence on defense
• Delp (TE) → balance and reliability

That’s not random.

That’s building an identity.

---

What I Like

• Tough, physical player
• Can contribute in multiple ways
• Helps both the run and pass game
• High football IQ type of pick

---

What I Don’t Love

Let’s keep it real:

The defense still has questions.

You addressed it with Miller — good.
But there were still opportunities to add more impact players on that side of the ball.

So again… this is a philosophy draft.

---

Bottom Line

This isn’t a flashy pick.

But it’s a football pick.

And when you start stacking players who can do multiple things well, that’s how offenses become consistent instead of streaky.

The Saints are clearly trying to build something more balanced on offense.

Now we’ll see if it all comes together.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright… now we’re talking.

After going offense in Round 1, the Saints come right back and take Christen Miller at #42 — and this one makes a lot of sense.

This is the kind of pick that doesn’t get flashy headlines… but wins you football games.

---

What the Saints Got

Miller is a big, physical interior defensive lineman — around 320 pounds — and built to do the dirty work:

• clog the middle
• control gaps
• eat double teams
• keep linebackers clean

And he’s not just a run-stuffer. Georgia used him all over the line, which fits what the Saints want to do defensively.

That versatility matters.

---

Why This Pick Feels Right

Let’s be honest — after the Tyson pick, a lot of people were asking:

👉 “What about the defense?”

Well… here you go.

This pick tells you:

• The Saints didn’t ignore defense
• They’re thinking about balance across the roster
• They want guys who can contribute early, not just develop later

Miller is the type of player who can rotate in right away and potentially become a 3-down contributor by midseason.

---

What He Brings (and What He Doesn’t)

The Good:

• Strong against the run
• Plays with discipline
• SEC experience vs top competition
• High floor — not a risky pick

The Question:

• Pass rush production isn’t elite
• Not the guy you’re drafting to get 10 sacks

But not every pick has to be a highlight reel.

Some guys are just football players.

---

Big Picture

Put the two picks together:

• Round 1: Jordyn Tyson → offense, explosiveness
• Round 2: Christen Miller → defense, physicality

That’s balance.

That’s a front office saying:
👉 “We’re not one move away — we’re building this the right way.”

---

Bottom Line

I liked the Tyson pick… didn’t love it.

I like this one more.

It’s not flashy.
It’s not gonna trend on social media.

But come November, when it’s 3rd and short and somebody needs to get a stop?

This is the kind of pick you’re glad you made.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Not What We Expected, But Let’s Talk About It

Alright Who Dat Nation… the Saints went a different direction.

With the 8th pick, they took Jordyn Tyson — and if you’ve been following the mocks, you already know that wasn’t the name most people had circled.

A lot of talk was around Carnell Tate, or even going defense if someone like Caleb Downs or a top edge rusher fell.

So yeah — this one caught people off guard.

---

First Reaction — It’s a Bet on Offense

Let’s call it what it is.

The Saints are doubling down on the offense.

Pairing Tyson with Chris Olave tells you they want:

• more speed
• more separation
• more big-play ability

They’re trying to make life easier on the quarterback and stop relying on perfect drives to score points.

That part? I understand.

---

Compared to What Was Available

This is where the debate comes in.

Because if guys like:

• Caleb Downs (S)
• Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE)
• Mansoor Delane (CB)

were still sitting there… then this pick is a philosophy decision, not a value slam dunk.

The Saints basically said:

👉 “We’re fixing the offense first.”

Instead of:
👉 “Take the best defensive player available.”

That’s a choice — and it’s going to be judged based on results.

---

What I Like About Tyson

I’m not going to pretend I hate the pick just because it wasn’t the popular one.

Tyson brings:

• real explosiveness
• ability to stretch the field
• playmaking after the catch

And let’s be honest — the Saints offense needed juice.

Too many drives last year felt like work.

---

What Makes Me Hesitate

Here’s the honest part:

This team still has holes on defense.

• Pass rush isn’t consistent
• Secondary depth is still a concern
• Leadership on that side of the ball took a hit this offseason

So passing on defensive talent? That’s the gamble.

---

Big Picture

This pick tells you exactly what the Saints are thinking:

They believe:

• offense needs to carry more weight
• explosiveness is missing
• and they can address defense later

That’s fine — if they’re right.

---

Bottom Line

I don’t love the pick.
I don’t hate it either.

I understand it.

Now it comes down to this:

If Jordyn Tyson produces early, this looks smart.
If the defense struggles and those other guys turn into stars… we’ll be talking about this pick for a long time.

That’s the draft.

We’ll see how it plays out.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

From the Westbank: Draft Week Is Here — Time to Get This Right

Who Dat Nation — this is one of those weeks that can change everything.

The draft is here, and for the New Orleans Saints, this isn’t just about adding players — it’s about setting the direction of the franchise for the next few years.

We’ve talked all offseason about change, about youth, about building something instead of just patching holes. This is where you actually do it.

---

Where the Saints Stand

The Saints are sitting with a Top 10 pick, and that tells you everything you need to know about last season.

You don’t get picks this high because things went right.

Now the question is — what do you do with it?

---

What the Saints Need

You don’t have to overthink it:

• Pass rush — Losing veterans means you need pressure up front
• Secondary help — Can’t survive in today’s NFL without coverage
• Offensive identity — weapons, protection, and consistency
• Depth across the board — this roster needs competition

This draft should be about impact players, not projects that take three years.

---

What I Want to See

I’m not asking for the flashiest name.

I want:

• A player who steps in Day 1
• Someone who plays with energy and physicality
• Someone who looks like they belong in the Dome right away

No reaching. No getting cute.

Take the best player who fits what you’re trying to build.

---

The Reality

Draft picks don’t guarantee anything.

We’ve all seen first-rounders miss.
We’ve all seen late-round guys become stars.

What matters is development, coaching, and putting players in the right position to succeed.

But this year feels different.

This feels like a draft where the Saints need to hit.

---

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about April.

This is about:

• Who’s starting in September
• Who’s leading this team in December
• And whether the Saints are building something real

We’ve seen the flashes.
We’ve seen the potential.

Now it’s time to add the pieces.

---

Bottom Line

Draft week always brings hope.

But for the Saints, this year it also brings pressure.

Get this right, and you’re building momentum.
Get it wrong, and you’re still searching next offseason.

We’ll see what direction they choose.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank