We already know which uniform numbers the New Orleans Saints rookies will wear, and now we get a chance to see what they look like in them.
The Saints are holding their rookie camp this weekend at their Airline Drive facility, offering the first glimpse at what their 2026 class of draft picks — including No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson — and undrafted rookies can do as professionals.
Rookie camp is essentially onboarding for the newest Saints, and with that understood, there’s not a ton of meaning that can be gleaned from a couple of light practice sessions.
But that doesn’t mean the information cupboard will be bare this weekend. Here are a few things to be on the lookout for when the Saints rookies take the field for the first time.
Line ’em up
Remember back to this time a year ago, when it was a bit of a mystery exactly where then-rookie Kelvin Banks was going to slide into the starting rotation? Was he a left or right tackle? Would he get reps at guard?
As it turned out, the Saints exclusively worked Banks at left tackle during rookie camp, and while the team downplayed the significance of that, Banks then spent his entire rookie season at left tackle.
The positional questions aren’t as substantial in this year’s class, but this week’s rookie camp should offer some insight about what is to come.
Take Christen Miller, for example. The Saints spoke about his versatility after selecting him in the second round of last month’s draft, and that makes sense considering his usage in college.
At Georgia, Miller played almost a third of his career snaps as a nose tackle, but he also lined up as a 2i (inside shoulder of the guard) and a 5-technique (outside shoulder of the offensive tackle). His best trait as a player is his ability to defend the run, and New Orleans may want to take its longest look at him as a nose, but it will be worth watching how much he moves around the line.
The same thought applies to receivers Jordyn Tyson and Bryce Lance, for different reasons. One of Tyson’s appealing traits is his ability to line up anywhere in the formation, and that should continue to be the case in the NFL. Lance has a more limited profile as an outside receiver, but maybe the Saints will see how he can move across the formation.
Finally, while it would be a surprise to see either of them compete for a starting role, it will be interesting to see if Day 3 picks Lorenzo Styles and TJ Hall take any snaps as a slot defender. New Orleans does not have a clearly defined starter in that role after Alontae Taylor’s departure in free agency.
Hidden gems?
It will be next to impossible to get a good read on which of the undrafted rookie free agents might make a case for the roster based off rookie camp alone, but it's never too early to make a guess for who could be the next Carl Granderson, Juwan Johnson or Rashid Shaheed.
Here are a couple to keep in mind: Offensive tackle Alan Herron signed a contract that included almost $300,000 guaranteed — which simply means New Orleans really wanted to get him into the building to get a longer look at him.
Former Central Michigan edge rusher Michael Heldman is another popular pick to stick at this stage. Heldman, who racked up 10½ sacks and 16½ tackles for loss for the Chippewas last season. He’ll need to prove he can hold up against NFL talent, which he won’t be able to do until training camp, but the size and measurables are there.
An extended stay?
Rookie camp isn’t just about the guys who have already signed contracts. New Orleans invited several undrafted rookies to attend on a tryout basis, as well as a few established veterans.
That can turn into a job. Just last season, the Saints signed veterans Terrell Burgess and Donovan Peoples-Jones following a rookie camp tryout, and Burgess ended up playing in 16 games last season. New Orleans was also impressed enough with tryout quarterback Hunter Dekkers to sign him to the 90-man roster for training camp.
Among the veteran tryout players this year: Former Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo, former Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask and former Chargers quarterback Easton Stick.