Canal Street Chronicles

Rookie experiencing a hamstring issue and will miss some time, limiting his preseason opportunity to make an impact.

Iowa State rookie expected to play in preseason Week 1 as he competes for the backup quarterback role behind Tyler Shough.

Starting for the Saints in preseason Week 1 as he competes to secure the backup quarterback role behind Tyler Shough.

Saints WR Jordyn Tyson injured his hamstring, and his Week 1 status could be in jeopardy; the source flags this as a direct fantasy impact ahead of the preseason opener.

Sixth-round pick Barion Brown should see the most playing time among Saints draft picks in the preseason. Brown has been one of the best players during training camp, and the preseason will give him the best chance to earn playing time on offense rather than remaining a special teamer, which he was initially drafted for.

Fourth-round pick Bryce Lance should see the most playing time among Saints draft picks in the preseason matchup against Jacksonville, giving him a significant opportunity to earn offensive snaps.

Third-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start Saturday's preseason matchup against Jacksonville. Rattler won the quarterback battle last preseason and has valuable playing time as a starter; despite going 1-7 as the starter last season, his talent and experience should be the difference in the game. However, Rattler has shown a struggle to make plays under pressure, and this will be emphasized behind the backup offensive line.

Rattler is the Saints' backup QB and a 'very familiar face and fan favorite' who may start if Shough does not; he finished 2025 with 8 starts, 67% completion, 1,600 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs, 167 rushing yards, and 4 fumbles (2 turnovers); the source notes he has handled his mid-season benching professionally and has been 'looking pretty good' in training camp with the backup unit.

Shough is expected to make his first preseason start for the Saints in 2026 after taking over the franchise late in 2025; he started the final 9 games with 67% completion, 2,400 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs, 186 rushing yards, and 3 rushing TDs; the source notes he is exploring a young core of receivers and explosive playmakers the Saints have added, with the offense finding its rhythm in training camp.

Mullens is Lawrence's backup and may see significant preseason work on Saturday; he appeared in 5 games in 2025 with only 3 pass attempts (all completions for 19 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs); career stats show 66% completion percentage with 34 TDs to 31 INTs across 39 games.

Lawrence finished 2025 with 4,000+ passing yards, 61% completion, 29 TDs, 12 INTs, 359 rushing yards, and 9 rushing TDs; however, he was sacked 41 times, the sixth-most in the NFL, which was alarming for the Jaguars' offense.

Tight end positioned for increased usage in two-tight-end sets; head coach Liam Coen wants to lean on 2-TE sets and activate Strange more in the pass game, though the team will continue to major in 3-WR sets given receiver room depth.

Rookie tight end has looked more impressive in offseason practices compared to fellow rookie Nate Boerkircher despite being the later pick; positioned to compete for immediate contributions in Jacksonville's tight end room.

Rookie tight end competing for immediate contributions in Jacksonville's tight end room alongside fellow rookie Tanner Koziol; the Jaguars are hoping to get immediate contributions from both rookies.

Pass protection specialist expected to see a healthy amount of third-down snaps in Jacksonville's backfield rotation, positioning him as a key contributor in passing situations.

Free agent pickup will serve as the between-the-tackles/short-yardage bruiser in Jacksonville's backfield; played under head coach Liam Coen at Kentucky in 2021. The source's personal take is that Rodriguez will be the most trusted player in the backfield and thus earn the bulk of rushing opportunities.

Second-year speedster expected to absorb most of Travis Etienne Jr.'s workload following Etienne's departure to New Orleans; the source notes potential for Tuten to emerge as a star despite the backfield losing star power.

Saints RB with Jacksonville familiarity from prior employment; unlikely to garner many reps in preseason opener but could serve as a factor in working out schemes across the line of scrimmage.

Barion Brown is cited as a key addition to the Saints roster generating significant excitement for the upcoming season, indicating an expanded or prominent role in the offense.

Jordyn Tyson is cited as a key addition to the Saints roster generating significant excitement for the upcoming season, indicating an expanded or prominent role in the offense.

Travis Etienne Jr is cited as a key addition to the Saints roster generating significant excitement for the upcoming season, indicating an expanded or prominent role in the offense.

80% of Canal Street Chronicles readers expressed excitement to watch Tyler Shough and the Saints offense against the Jaguars this weekend, reflecting strong fan confidence in the quarterback heading into the matchup.

QB Hunter Dekkers changed jersey numbers from #7 to #13 for the 2026 season after initially receiving #7 at the start of training camp; the number became available following Taysom Hill's departure from the Saints roster.

Rookie WR who has been a big-play machine with mostly consistent overall production despite some drops; won't break the Saints' top 3 WR group but can be a heavy contributor right away, with preseason as a great way to show that.

Rookie WR with super consistent training camp performance and a sprinkle of big plays, standing out as a player; won't break the Saints' top 3 WR group but can be a heavy contributor right away, with preseason as a great way to show that.

Rookie TE with preseason opportunity to shine due to Juwan Johnson's limited preseason role; college production was subpar but talent was always there; athletic ability sets him apart from other TEs and his blocking will help the team; expected lower snaps during regular season, making preseason the place to see his most impact, including red zone utilization.

Tyson is one of the Saints' best offensive players right away despite preseason playing time uncertainty; the source notes the Saints may be smart to not risk his health in preseason, but he could get game reps before the regular season to prepare for the season.

Nacua could potentially start the 2026 season with a suspension, creating uncertainty around his availability at the season's outset.

Jacobs could potentially start the 2026 season with a suspension, creating uncertainty around his availability at the season's outset.

The source identifies Tyler Shough as a key player to evaluate in the joint practice against Jacksonville, noting it will be the first real glimpse at the Saints' offensive work this offseason, with focus on red zone playcalling, offensive line blocking, and pass defense.

QB Tyler Shough showed the Saints coaching staff he can be the starter for 2026; with the offense completely rebuilt to have little to no issues and a fourth-place schedule in the division, the Saints have momentum going into the season despite finishing last in 2025.

Michael Penix Jr. still needs to prove to the coaching staff that they can rely on him under new HC Kevin Stefanski; the Falcons have a youth-focused roster with potential, but the QB must establish himself as a dependable starter for 2026.

Rookie WR Chris Brazzell III suffered a season-ending injury in the Hall of Fame Game, removing him from the Panthers' receiving corps for 2026 after the team won the division and is looking to upgrade and compete in the playoffs.

Bryce Young faces pressure to deliver in 2026 after the Panthers won the division in a shocking outcome last season; a contract extension is potentially right around the corner, adding urgency to his performance as the team looks to compete in the playoffs.

Third-round pick Ted Hurst is positioned to become the 'Mike Evans replacement' after the veteran left in free agency; his preseason snaps will be limited but provide an opportunity to showcase what he can do in the Buccaneers offense.

Contract disputes with Baker Mayfield could derail the Buccaneers' 2026 season outlook; the team struggled with offensive regression after OC Liam Coen's departure and is hoping to bounce back, but roster turmoil threatens that recovery.

Expected to receive significant reps in the Saints' preseason opener against Jacksonville; the source notes that with new pass catchers added to surround QB Tyler Shough, the coaching staff will lean on the passing game early to give these players as much run as possible.

Expected to receive significant reps in the Saints' preseason opener against Jacksonville; the source notes that with new pass catchers added to surround QB Tyler Shough, the coaching staff will lean on the passing game early to give these players as much run as possible.

Expected to receive significant reps in the Saints' preseason opener against Jacksonville; the source notes that with new pass catchers added to surround QB Tyler Shough, the coaching staff will lean on the passing game early to give these players as much run as possible.

Expected to receive significant reps in the Saints' preseason opener against Jacksonville; the source notes that with new pass catchers added to surround QB Tyler Shough, the coaching staff will lean on the passing game early to give these players as much run as possible.