Tyler Shough's breakout season has made Saints' top offseason need clear

The New Orleans Saints finished last in the NFC South this past season, but the overall year for the Saints was an overwhelmingly positive one.

Not only does Kellen Moore look to be a solid head coach, but most importantly, Tyler Shough looks to be the future at the quarterback position for New Orleans.

After Shough's breakout season, the Saints' top offseason need couldn't be any clearer. As Larry Holder of The Athletic notes, the Saints must add another wide receiver opposite Chris Olave for Shough in 2026 and beyond.

Saints' top offseason need is clearly a new wide receiver

"It's amazing how well rookie quarterback Tyler Shough played after the Saints moved on from their Nos. 2 and 3 wideouts," Holder writes, "trading Rashid Shaheed and releasing Brandin Cooks around midseason."

Last season, Olave was a great top option for Shough, but after him, the wide receiver room was not great. Shaheed and Cooks were not a part of the offense for the second half of the year, when Shough got the bulk of his work.

Even Devaughn Vele, who showed some potential to close out the season, was injured late and missed some time. Vele is an intriguing player for the 2026 season, but he's not good enough to be relied upon to be the Saints' number two receiver.

More: Top WR prospect shares NFL Draft wish for Saints' Tyler Shough, Bills' Josh Allen

It can't get much clearer than this for the Saints: they need to add a wide receiver this offseason. Whether it's a free agent, a trade, or most likely, a draft pick, the Saints need to improve the offense.

Shough looks to be the answer at quarterback, and the Saints need to surround him with a better supporting cast. Running back is also a need, and tight end might be a sneaky need.

But, of all the positions on the roster, a top wide receiver opposite Olave is the clear top need for New Orleans. 8th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft would be a great spot to take a top WR, or the Saints could trade for a top option like AJ Brown or DJ Moore.

Regardless of how they resolve it, the Saints need to fix their wide receiver room this offseason. Olave and Vele are a good start, but another top option would take this offense over the top and give Shough the best chance to succeed.

More Saints news:

• Is Taysom Hill retiring? Saints' fan favorite age, contract raise question
• Saints urged by NFL analyst to land a playmaker for Tyler Shough this offseason
• Saints get good news on pair of ascending offensive coaches after Steelers interviews
• Why Saints being picked to play in Paris, France was a perfect choice by NFL
• Saints urged to sign 21-TD weapon in free agency for Tyler Shough
• Saints predicted to draft Alvin Kamara's replacement in first round with Notre Dame RB