New Orleans

Saints

Cooks appeared in 11 games for the Jaguars during the 2023 and 2024 season, catching a combined 3-of-4 targets for 38 yards. He’ll look to break out in camp and preseason after change of scenery.

A fourth-year UDFA, Austin was a 2022 Combine workout warrior who entered 2025 with 11 career catches. He doubled that this year, but with just 13 total grabs, eight of which came the past two weeks as the Saints dealt with injury issues. Two months shy of his 26th birthday, there is no guarantee Austin is back on next summer’s 53-man roster.

Playing out the string for the Saints’ injury-ruined backfield, Estime reached 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career after posting 98 the week before. Not a bad end to the year for a player who spent the first half of the season on practice squads. Still only 22 years old, Estime is buying himself time to get established in the NFL, but he still probably mostly profiles as a special teamer if he’s going to make a 53-man roster out of camp. Considering the Saints’ issues at running back, it could very well be in New Orleans.

The 61 yards extended what was already a career-high yardage total to 889 for the sixth-year pro. Johnson was a legitimate No. 2 weapon behind Chris Olave, putting up strong numbers with both Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. He finishes comfortably inside the top 12 in tight end PPR points per game, and could make a genuine run at 1,000 yards in 2026 if Shough plays like he did down the stretch. Signed to a wonky contract that includes $9.08 million guaranteed for next season, Johnson is a safe TE1 projection in fantasy.

In what was probably his final game for the Saints and perhaps even as an NFL player, Hill surprisingly notched zero carries. All too surprisingly, he exited banged up, something that has been a theme during a rugged career that has frequently called on him to slam into opposing linebackers and DBs. Going on 36 years old, Hill was overpaid for much of his Saints tenure but probably under-appreciated by fans who judge things on bottom-line fantasy production. If a retirement announcement isn’t forthcoming, Hill’s goal would be to land guaranteed money on the open market, which is no sure thing considering his age, injury history, and lack of a true position.

He had another touchdown called back by OPI. Playing with a skeleton crew receiver corps, Shough stacked another positive performance despite the loss and pick. He continued to look impressive on the go, and has proven more than capable of threading throws into tight windows. That includes over-the-top, where Shough has appeared adept at finding the soft spot in the defense. Already 26 years old, Shough could be close to a finished product, but he has already looked better than his pre-draft profile suggested. That was something like “Derek Carr lite.” It now looks like there could be a real ceiling here, if still not necessarily truly elite upside. At the very least, however, Shough has earned the Week 1 starting job for 2026. He’s a top 15-18 option in dynasty leagues, with room to grow.

Rattler ends the year on the bench with a finger injury. Jake Haener will back up Tyler Shough. With Shough somewhat surprisingly easily locking down 2026 starting duties, the best Rattler can hope for heading into Year 3 is clear backup status. He could have to battle a veteran or Day 3 rookie in camp, but Rattler has probably shown just enough to earn No. 2 duties without much of a fight. What he has not shown is future starter upside.

The Saints added Tipton to the squad in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. Injuries and a trade allowed him to work his way into the wide receiver rotation late in the year, though he caught just 11-of-17 targets for 76 yards and rushed four times for 18 yards. He also returned 12 kicks for 378 yards and will likely chip in as a returner again next season. He has one year remaining on his contract. He is highly unlikely to be a fantasy contributor in 2026.

Kamara has been sidelined since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 12. He played through a multi-week ankle injury before that. Kamara was the subject of early-season trade rumors, but the lifelong Saint reportedly made clear that he wanted to remain in New Orleans. Kamara has one year remaining on his contract, but he may be replaced as the team’s starter in 2026. He was surprisingly phased out of the passing game, while active, in head coach Kellen Moore’s first season. This year, Kamara rushed 131 times for 471 yards and one touchdown, while catching 33-of-39 targets for 186 yards.

Tipton is now on the wrong side of questionable, which is unfortunate. The Saints will be without WR Chris Olave, who is in the hospital, recovering from a blood clot in his lung. This likely leaves WRs Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis atop the depth chart against the Panthers.