Saints Projected to Draft 22-TD WR to Boost QB Tyler Shough

New Orleans could target Washington's Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL Draft to provide a big-bodied, red-zone threat for their young QB.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:36pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-air making a catch, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a wide receiver making a highlight-reel catch, reflecting the Saints' efforts to surround their young QB with more playmaking talent.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Saints are projected to use a premium draft pick on Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to a recent mock draft. The Saints are looking to surround quarterback Tyler Shough with more offensive weapons, and Boston's size, physicality, and red-zone production could make him an ideal fit to complement the team's existing receiving corps.

Why it matters

The Saints finished 6-11 last season and ranked 26th in the league in offensive production, underscoring the need to continue building around Shough. Drafting a receiver like Boston, who has a history of making tough catches and scoring in the red zone, could help unlock Shough's potential and improve the Saints' overall offensive output.

The details

In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst T.J. Randall projected the Saints to select Boston, a 6'3" receiver from Washington, in the first round. Boston is ranked 34th overall on PFSN's Consensus Big Board and is expected to be a first-round pick. He finished the 2025 season with 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has recorded 22 total touchdowns in his college career. The Saints' general manager Mickey Loomis has a history of using premium picks on high-value positions, and receiver could be a priority to maximize Shough's potential.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Tyler Shough

The Saints' starting quarterback and a key part of their long-term offensive plans.

Denzel Boston

A 6'3" wide receiver from the University of Washington who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mickey Loomis

The general manager of the New Orleans Saints, known for using premium draft picks on high-value positions.

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What they’re saying

“Going the corner route at this juncture has understandably been a popular path. It's justifiable to subscribe to the belief that the New Orleans Saints want to squeeze as much potential out of quarterback Tyler Shough as possible, something that drafting Boston helps accomplish.”

— T.J. Randall, PFSN Analyst

“For what it's worth, over the last five years, general manager Mickey Loomis has used his picks in the first two rounds to invest very heavily in premium positions. That's enough signal to go in either direction re: corner versus receiver.”

— T.J. Randall, PFSN Analyst

“Boston's ability to high-point passes and make difficult grabs makes him a go-to weapon when space tightens, and he magnifies his vice-grip hand strength with intelligent timing control and catch-point positioning.”

— PFSN Scouting Report

What’s next

The Saints will have the opportunity to select Denzel Boston or another top receiver prospect during the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The takeaway

By targeting a physical, red-zone threat like Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints could provide quarterback Tyler Shough with the type of big-bodied receiving weapon that could help unlock the offense's full potential and improve upon their disappointing 6-11 season.