The New Orleans Saints are entering the 2026 season with plenty of excitement around them. Tyler Shough can be the real deal, and recent good drafts have propelled the team’s timeline.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Another year with cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry on this list, but hear me out. 2025 was a solid year for McKinstry despite knockback from the fans. The third-year cornerback logged the sixth-most pass breakups in the league with 6th, and wasn’t heard of much from the second half of the season, usually a good sign for defensive backs.
With the Saints moving on from Alontae Taylor and not investing heavily in the cornerback position, it shows their belief in McKinstry. While they were a potential target team for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, there wasn’t a lot of urgency to add to their cornerback room in the draft, and they settled for veteran cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.
While he was solid in 2025, the upcoming 2026 season could be a breakout year for the former second-round pick, and it probably needs to be. McKinstry is entering his third season and will be eligible for an extension at its conclusion. With some intriguing matchups approaching, specifically face-offs with Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, 2026 could be a big season for the Saints’ star cornerback.
LB Danny Stutsman
Second-year linebacker is the biggest dark horse on this list. He didn’t get much playing time in 2025, but his path to significant minutes is clear. The Saints’ linebacker room is weak, possibly the weakest unit on the team, highlighted by the loss of All-Pro Demario Davis.
A breakout for Stutsman would first mean he beats out veteran Pete Werner for minutes. While many believed he would be Davis’ replacement, the signing of veteran Kaden Ellis makes that move much less likely to happen. Stutsman was a fan favorite for his social media personality and passionate playstyle when he did see the field.
There will probably be a significant learning curve for the former fourth-round pick in his second season, but a second season in Brandon Staley’s defense and a chance to fight for playtime sets Stutsman up as a potential breakout candidate.
OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks Jr. was a homerun hit for the Saints in 2025. While the downs were there, his upside had analysts in awe. He has the talent to be an All-Pro-level tackle for the Saints for the next decade.
With such high praise, it’s hard to label Banks as a breakout candidate rather than a player who has already broken out, but there is still lots to work on. The former first-round pick had his miscues and looked outmatched in certain matchups throughout the season.
While there is little pointing to Banks concerns, he’ll face plenty of the league’s top pass rushers in 2026, facing off with Myles Garrett, Brian Burns, Maxx Crosby, and Micah Parsons. With such an array of talent ahead of him, Banks can take hold of the opportunity and shut down some of the league’s best and earn a label as one of the league’s premier tackles.
