Saints Facing Huge Dilemma Building Offense Around Tyler Shough

New Orleans Saints executives left last spring’s draft convinced they had landed twin cornerstones for the next decade. First-round tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. validated that belief by anchoring the offensive line from Day 1, but the real revelation arrived 48 picks later. Quarterback Tyler Shough, selected midway through Round 2, started only nine games yet emerged as a viable NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, posting a 73.1 PFF passing grade and an ultra-safe 2.0 percent turnover-worthy play rate on 378 dropbacks.

Those encouraging numbers, however, mask a roster-wide problem that will define the franchise’s offseason: the rest of the offense remains alarmingly thin. PFF analyst Bradley Locker framed the dilemma succinctly, noting that New Orleans “must try to improve his conditions” after finishing 19th in receiving grade and second-to-last in rushing grade. With the Saints holding sub-.500 records in back-to-back seasons, the pressure is mounting to capitalize on Shough’s rapid development before opponents adjust to his tendencies.

The most pressing decisions sit at the skill positions. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara is under contract for only one more year and is coming off a career-low 51.7 PFF overall grade, raising questions about workload and compensation. Wide receiver depth behind Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele is virtually nonexistent, forcing Shough to win with a depleted supporting cast.

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love has surfaced as a popular first-round target to re-energize the backfield. Evaluators label the 6-foot, 215-pound junior a potential generational talent capable of altering game plans at the professional level. On the perimeter, the Saints are weighing a trio of collegiate standouts—David Boston, Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate—while also monitoring the free-agent market for proven speedsters such as Alec Pierce or versatile chain-movers like Romeo Doubs.

Front-office sources indicate the team wants to add at least two impact playmakers before training camp, a move that would signal full confidence in Shough and acknowledge that last year’s late-season momentum can only be sustained with legitimate weapons. How aggressively New Orleans attacks the draft board or the open market will reveal exactly how high the ceiling can rise for their second-year quarterback—and whether the Saints can finally escape the .500 wilderness.