BREAKING: New Orleans Saints Unveil Jersey Numbers for 2026 Draft Class
METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints have officially assigned jersey numbers to their eight-member 2026 draft class, giving fans the first real glimpse of what the future of the roster will look like this fall .
The announcement, which comes just weeks after the draft concluded in Pittsburgh, confirms the digits for a rookie class headlined by explosive playmakers and anchored by a powerful Georgia Bulldogs contingent.
The “Zero” Era Begins in New Orleans
The most eye-catching number in the release belongs to the Saints’ top selection. First-round pick Jordyn Tyson, the wide receiver out of Arizona State taken with the No. 8 overall pick, will don No. 0 .
Tyson, who was the first wide receiver selected in this year’s draft, becomes the latest NFL player to embrace the single-zero jersey. The former Sun Devil is expected to compete for immediate playing time alongside Chris Olave, and the number reflects a fresh start for a player looking to put an injury-plagued college career behind him .
“Tyson 0 and Delp 88 are ELITE,” one fan remarked on the popular SaintsReport.com forum following the announcement, signaling early approval from the Who Dat Nation .
Georgia Bulldogs Reunite in the Black and Gold
The Saints doubled down on Southeastern Conference talent in the middle rounds, specifically targeting the back-to-back national champions from the University of Georgia. That collegiate chemistry will carry over into the NFL locker room, as both Bulldogs rookies secured familiar numerals.
Defensive tackle Christen Miller, selected in the second round (No. 42 overall), will keep his college number, wearing No. 52 . The 6-foot-4, 321-pound lineman has already described himself as a “Swiss Army knife” for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme, capable of playing multiple spots along the interior .
Joining him is tight end Oscar Delp, the third-round pick (No. 73 overall). Delp has been assigned No. 88 , a classic number for the position and one that evokes memories of former Saints pass-catchers like Jeremy Shockey . Delp was viewed by some analysts as underutilized in Georgia’s run-heavy offense, but the Saints believe he has the hands to contribute significantly in the passing game alongside veteran Noah Fant .
The New Receiving Corps Takes Shape
Beyond Tyson, the Saints invested heavily in revamping their wide receiver room, a unit that looked thin heading into the offseason. The later rounds saw New Orleans add size and speed, and their jersey numbers reflect a diverse group.
Bryce Lance , the North Dakota State product and younger brother of NFL quarterback Trey Lance, was selected with a compensatory pick in the fourth round (No. 136). He will wear No. 18 . At 6-foot-3, Lance adds a big-body presence to the boundary.
The sixth round brought local flavor to the roster. LSU product Barion Brown, a dynamic return specialist, will suit up in No. 19 . Brown holds the SEC record for kickoff return touchdowns, and his speed is expected to immediately upgrade the special teams unit . Notably, both numbers 18 and 19 were unclaimed on the Saints’ roster prior to the draft, making the assignments a natural fit for the incoming rookies .
Offensive Line and Defensive Backfield Depth
The Saints also used the draft to shore up the trenches and the secondary, assigning workmanlike numbers to players expected to contribute in rotational roles.
Auburn guard Jeremiah Wright, selected in the fourth round (No. 132), will wear No. 65 . A former defensive tackle who switched to the offensive line, Wright adds versatility to the interior behind starters Cesar Ruiz and Lucas Patrick.
In the defensive backfield, the Saints added two prospects with elite athleticism. Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. , who ran a blistering 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the combine, will wear No. 36 . He joins the team after transitioning from wide receiver to defensive back in college. Iowa cornerback TJ Hall, the team’s seventh-round selection (No. 219), will wear No. 34 .
Jersey Availability and Offseason Outlook
With the numbers now official, the team’s merchandise partners have already begun selling jerseys for top pick Jordyn Tyson .
While these assignments are currently set for the rookie minicamps and offseason training activities, the Saints have cautioned that changes could occur. “Some guys will likely change jersey numbers over the summer as roster moves are processed and preferred choices open up,” a team spokesperson noted via the official announcement .
Typically, veterans and rookies will swap numbers later in the summer if a player is cut or traded, freeing up a more desirable single digit.
For the incoming class, however, the number assignment is the final step in their transition from amateur to professional. The Saints will hope that No. 0, No. 52, and No. 88 become iconic sights in the Superdome for years to come.
