NFC South · 2026 season
New Orleans Saints depth chart and fantasy outlook
- Record
- 1-3
- Points/game
- 26.3
- Pace
- 1st fastest
- Next game
- Week 5 vs MIN · Sun 1:00 PM ET
More
What changed
Tyler Shough carry share 25% → 6%; Alvin Kamara carry share 17% → 34% over the last 2 weeks.
Weeks 3 and 4 vs weeks 1, 2.
Target and carry tree
Each player’s share of the team’s targets and carries this season and over the last 3 weeks (arrows show the change vs the earlier weeks).
Targets
| Player | Tgt | Season share | Last 3 wk | Air yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chris OlaveWR | 48 | 28% | 29%▲4 | 44% |
 Devaughn VeleWR | 31 | 18% | 18% | 22% |
 Juwan JohnsonTE | 27 | 16% | 17%▲3 | 11% |
 Alvin KamaraRB | 14 | 8% | 12%▲12 | 1% |
 Travis EtienneRB | 13 | 8% | 3%▼14 | 0% |
 Bryce LanceWR | 13 | 8% | 8% | 15% |
 Noah FantTE | 12 | 7% | 3%▼12 | 4% |
 Kendre MillerRB | 6 | 4% | 5%▲5 | 0% |
Carries
| Player | Car | Season share | Last 3 wk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis EtienneRB | 30 | 30% | 28%▼8 |
| Alvin KamaraRB | 25 | 25% | 34%▲34 |
| Kendre MillerRB | 19 | 19% | 14%▼22 |
 Tyler ShoughQB | 16 | 16% | 16% |
 CJ DonaldsonRB | 7 | 7% | 7% |
 Barion BrownWR | 2 | 2% | 1%▼3 |
Pace, pass rate and efficiency
Season averages with the Saints’ rank among 32 teams and the league average.
Plays per game
75.5
2nd · league 64.1
Neutral seconds per play
28.5
1st · league 31.9
Neutral pass rate
62%
8th · league 58%
Pass rate over expected
+1.0
12th · league -1.6
Offense EPA/play
+0.01
14th · league +0.01
Defense EPA/play allowed
+0.16
30th · league +0.01
Points per game
26.3
10th · league 23.1
Points allowed per game
32.0
32nd · league 23.1
Depth chart
nflverse · updated Oct 6, 10:08 AM ET
Fantasy Nerds · updated Oct 6, 11:18 AM ET
- LWR
- 2.Bryce Lance3.Barion Brown
- RWR
- 1.Chris Olave3.Kevin Austin Jr.
- SWR
- 1.Devaughn Vele2.Barion Brown
Schedule and Vegas lines
| Wk | Opponent | Result / kickoff | Spread | Total | Implied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @DET | L 30-31 | +7 | 49.5 | 21.25 |
| 2 | @BAL | W 24-17 | +8.5 | 45.5 | 18.5 |
| 3 | vsLV | L 27-35 | -3.5 | 43.5 | 23.5 |
| 4 | vsATL | L 24-45 | -1.5 | 47.5 | 24.5 |
| 5 | vsMIN | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Oct 11 | +1.5 | 42.5 | 20.5 |
| 6 | @NYG | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Oct 18 | – | – | – |
| 7 | vsPIT | Sun 9:30 AM ET, Oct 25 | – | – | – |
| 9 | vsCLE | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Nov 8 | – | – | – |
| 10 | vsCAR | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Nov 15 | – | – | – |
| 11 | @CHI | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Nov 22 | – | – | – |
| 12 | @CIN | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Nov 29 | – | – | – |
| 13 | vsGB | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Dec 6 | – | – | – |
| 14 | @CAR | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Dec 13 | – | – | – |
| 15 | @TB | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Dec 20 | – | – | – |
| 16 | vsARI | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Dec 27 | – | – | – |
| 17 | @ATL | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Jan 3 | – | – | – |
| 18 | vsTB | Sun 1:00 PM ET, Jan 10 | – | – | – |
Closing lines for played games; current lines for upcoming games. Implied points = half the total plus or minus half the spread.
Injuries
Week 5 report
- Anfernee JenningsLBKnee
- Barry WesleyOTQUndisclosed
- Bryan BreseeDTIRKnee - Acl
- Carl GrandersonDEAnkle
- Christen MillerDTCoach's Decision
- Dalys BeanumCBQUndisclosed
- Damien AlfordWRQUndisclosed
- David LongDBIRUndisclosed
- Davon GodchauxDTQGroin
- Decamerion RichardsonCBCoach's Decision
- Derek CarrQBUndisclosed
- Dillon RadunzOTIRKnee - Acl
- Ja'Lynn PolkWRUndisclosed
- Jaylan FordLBIRUndisclosed
- Jordyn TysonWRIRHamstring
- Kaden EllissLBCalf
- Keeshawn SilverDTQUndisclosed
- Kelvin Banks Jr.OTIRAnkle
- Lorenzo Styles Jr.SAFIRCalf
- Mason TiptonWRPUPLeg
- Moliki MatavaoTEIRKnee
- Nick SaldiveriGPUPKnee
- Noah FantTEAbdomen
- Rejzohn WrightDBIRHip
- Travis EtienneRBIRHamstring
- Ty ChandlerRBIRKnee
- Zach WilsonQBCoach's Decision
- Zach WoodLSIRCalf
Fantasy points allowed
2026 season averages by position, not adjusted for opponents. Rank 1st = fewest allowed (toughest matchup).
| Pos | PPR allowed/G | League avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 16.5 | 16.8 | 18th |
| RB | 33.8 | 21.7 | 32nd · soft |
| WR | 29.5 | 32.5 | 13th |
| TE | 17.9 | 13.5 | 25th · soft |
Adjusted for offenses faced (PPR): vs QB 11th · vs RB 17th · vs WR 13th · vs TE 18th. Defense vs positionNoisy this early in the season: weight it lightly.
How this works
Shares are the player’s targets or carries divided by the team total for the same weeks. Pace is the average seconds between snaps on the same drive in neutral situations; neutral pass rate counts plays while the game is competitive, so it reflects the play-caller’s preference rather than the score. EPA per play is the average expected points added (nflverse model).
The depth chart shows each source’s latest snapshot with its time, nflverse first. Fantasy points allowed sum what every opposing QB, RB, WR and TE scored, divided by games played.
Sources: nflverse play-by-play, Fantasy Nerds (depth chart)
Frequently asked questions
How fast do the Saints play?
The New Orleans Saints average 28.5 seconds between snaps in neutral situations in 2026, 1st-fastest of 32 teams, and run 75.5 offensive plays per game. In neutral game situations they pass on 62% of plays (8th of 32).
Who leads the Saints in targets?
Chris Olave has 28% of the Saints’ targets in 2026. Travis Etienne leads the backfield with 30% of the carries.
How good are the Saints on offense and defense?
By expected points added per play, the Saints offense ranks 14th (+0.01) and the defense ranks 30th (+0.16 allowed) in 2026.