Fantasy Football Player Notes

Last season, Chris Olave had easily the most productive season of his NFL career, as the WR7 in fantasy points per game. Olave spiked a career-high nine receiving touchdowns and proved yet again that he should be mentioned in the same breath as the most talented receivers in the NFL. Among 109 qualifying receivers, Olave was tenth in target share (27.2%), ninth in receiving yards per game (72.7), 19th in yards per route run (2.09), ninth in first-read share (33.8%) ,and 28th in first downs per route run (0.095, per Fantasy Points Data). Olave will again be Tyler Shough's unquestioned WR1 in what we expect to be an ascending offense. Olave is a locked-in WR1 for 2026 who could take another step if Shough progresses. Jordyn Tyson's latest hamstring injury will linger into the regular season, which bumps Olave a tad bit further up the WR1 ranks.

Jordyn Tyson should become the second target in the Saints' offense this season once he's healthy, but right now his health for the 2026 season is the biggest question. Sadly, Tyson is dealing with another hamstring injury that will linger into the regular season (possibly into Week 7). This automatically makes him a player that I'm avoiding unless he slips past his ADP. Tyson is a decent bet as your WR4/5, but it's impossible to trust him in fantasy this season as more than that. Over the last two collegiate seasons, Tyson has ranked 60th and 11th in yards per route run and 12th and 15th in receiving grade (per PFF). Last year, in Weeks 12-18, New Orleans was fifth in neutral passing rate and 11th in pass rate over expectation. Tyson can't be counted on for more than a midseason flex play or stretch-run difference-maker at his point and that's only if his problematic hamstrings permit it.

Devaughn Vele should see an expanded role to start the season with Jordyn Tyson sidelined with a hamstring injury. In his last four games with the Saints last season, he averaged just south of 10 PPG in half-PPR (minimum WR4 production for all four games).

Bryce Lance has the opportunity to crack the Saints' starting lineup coming out of camp now, with the upcoming lengthy absence of Jordyn Tyson as he deals with another hamstring injury. Tyson could be out until Week 7 or 8 of the regular season. Many drafters will automatically gravitate to Devaughn Vele in the final round of their drafts, but I have little interest in Vele. Vele hasn't been able to prove himself to be a consistent target earner, and his 1.34 career yards per route run is middling at best (per PFF). Lance is a blazing-fast field stretcher who can threaten a defense at all three levels. In his final collegiate season, among all FBS/FCS wide receivers with at least 50 targets, he ranked sixth in yards per route run, eighth in yards per reception, and eighth-best in receiving grade. Lance is a fantastic last-round lottery ticket that could pay huge dividends in 2026.