Saints HC Kellen Moore Breaks Down New Orleans’ 2026 NFL Draft Class

Kellen Moore joined The Rich Eisen Show to walk through the New Orleans Saints' 2026 draft class, and the head coach made it clear he enjoyed the eight-minute pick clock more than most of his peers probably did.

Moore said the pace felt good. He liked it. From the Saints' chair, the quick decisions were a feature, not a problem. The reason was simple. Once Jordyn Tyson was on the board at pick eight, the conversation lasted about five seconds. Everyone in the room looked around and agreed. They had run every scenario leading into that slot. They were picking and sticking.

Rich asked whether general manager Mickey Loomis bothered waiting on the phone to ring for a trade-down offer. Moore said it was not long. The decision was made. Tyson was their guy.

What sealed it was the work the staff had put in across the pre-draft process. Moore acknowledged that the injuries Tyson dealt with in college would always be part of the conversation. But the film held up, and the more time the Saints spent with Tyson, the more they liked the receiver and the person. He fits a room New Orleans is actively trying to build into a strength.

On tape, Moore pointed to Tyson's versatility. He plays multiple spots, attacks the football, and brings a release plan that translates. Moore also flagged a less glamorous trait. Tyson is willing to block on the perimeter. That, Moore said, tells you what kind of player you are getting.

The Saints stayed in the SEC for their second pick, taking Georgia defensive tackle Kristen Miller. Moore, a self-described quarterback guy, kept the philosophy simple. Put big bodies inside, push the pocket, and life gets harder for the quarterbacks across from you. Miller's energy and run-stopping ability fit what New Orleans wants up front.

Next came tight end Oscar Delp, also from Georgia, then guard Jeremiah Wright out of Auburn. Then the Saints shopped at what Rich called the sibling store. Wide receiver Bryce Lane, brother of Trey, was a pleasant surprise still available out of North Dakota State. Moore liked the juice and the speed on film. The pick let New Orleans double down on the receiver room.

The other family pick was Lorenzo Styles Jr., brother of Sonny. Moore said Styles brings a unique resume. He played receiver, transitioned to defense, and his special teams work jumped off the page. Moore expects Styles to carve out a real special teams role while continuing to develop on defense. The fact that Styles was coached by Matt Patricia at Ohio State only added to the appeal. When Patricia is teaching you, Moore said, you are getting taught well.

The through line on the Saints' class is intent. New Orleans came in knowing what it wanted, identified the right kinds of players, and pounced when those players were available. Moore did not pretend the eight-minute clock made every team's life easier. But for a staff that had done its homework, it was a green light to keep moving.