New Orleans

Saints

Vele’s nine targets ranked behind only alpha Chris Olave, although he was headed for another modest fantasy outing before a garbage time touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the blowout loss. Vele has yet to eclipse 69 yards through the first month of play as he continues to operate in an intermediate role for a Saints team struggling to attack downfield. Fantasy managers could consider sitting Vele against the ferocious Vikings defense in Week 5.

Johnson saw a slight uptick in snaps and routes after Noah Fant was inactive with an abdominal injury but returned a modest receiving line while being kept out of the end zone. The towering veteran finished third on the team in targets behind Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, the latter of whom scored the only receiving touchdown in a game that saw the two teams combine for seven rushing scores. Johnson remains a back-end TE1 for as long as rookie Jordyn Tyson remains sidelined, which appears likely to persist for another few weeks, at minimum. That holds true ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the vaunted Vikings defense.

Olave found himself with a relatively quiet receiving line in the first half as the Saints struggled to consistently move the football, something that has become far too familiar under head coach Kellen Moore’s tutelage. As has been the case for some time, Olave got going after the break, ending with his third 100-yard game in four tries, now trailing only CeeDee Lamb in receiving yards through the first month of the season. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the electric wide receiver’s practice status in the coming days after he pulled himself out of the game on the team’s final possession with some sort of ailment. If healthy, Olave remains an elite WR1 ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Vikings.

The Saints mustered just 16 running back carries in the first game without Travis Etienne, gaining just 50 yards on the ground in the blowout loss. The New Orleans offensive line was completely out-classed by the stout Atlanta defensive front. Kamara briefly departed with a knee injury that required two trips to the medical tent but would return to score his second touchdown of the evening in the fourth quarter. Kamara should continue to lead the backfield in the absence of Etienne and suddenly finds himself as an RB2 in fantasy circles ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Vikings.

Shough and the Saints stayed true to recent form as they quickly fell into a 14-point hole in the first quarter, with the team now averaging an almost eight point deficit at the half since head coach Kellen Moore took over to start the 2025 season. The team was unable to reproduce the second half magic they so frequently muster behind an overmatched offensive line. Shough needed a late touchdown toss to Devaughn Vele with less than two minutes to play to give fantasy managers something of value. Moore and Shough have their work cut out for them with Brian Flores’ relentless defense coming to town in Week 5, where Shough will be on the QB1/2 border in fantasy circles.

Fant was originally listed as questionable but is ultimately unable to go, shocking fantasy managers that took a gamble on him following his two-touchdown game a week ago. Rookie Oscar Delp appears most likely to serve as the next man up while starter Juwan Johnson could take on additional volume at the position. Also inactive for the Saints are QB Zach Wilson, CB Decamerion Richardson, EDGE Anfernee Jennings, DL Christen Miller, LB Kaden Elliss, and EDGE Carl Granderson.

The Saints’ offense has managed just fine without Tyson, but it doesn’t sound like it will get a boost from the rookie first-rounder any time soon. According to Schefter, Tyson is “making progress and feeling good,” but the earliest we may see him is Week 7. That said, due to the Saints playing Week 7 in Paris, Schefter also notes that “the most logical” return date for Tyson could be Week 9 after the team’s bye week. Fantasy managers stashing Tyson will need to continue doing so for the next several weeks, and even when he’s active, it could take a few games for him to see a full assortment of snaps. We can expect Devaughn Vele to continue operating as the Saints’ WR2 behind Chris Olave until Tyson returns.

So too is LB Pete Werner, while LB Kaden Elliss, DE Carl Granderson, and DEAnfernee Jennings have been ruled out. Rookie tight end Oscar Delp would be in line to see additional run alongside Juwan Johnson, should Fant be unable to play.

Both Brown and TE Noah Fant (abdomen) were limited today, putting them tentatively on track to play on Monday night against the Falcons. Neither player belongs in fantasy lineups, but their presence is helpful for QB Tyler Shough.

Tyson is currently on injured reserve and will be eligible to join his teammates on the practice field next week. Moore added, “but we shall see” at the end of his statement, making it at least possible for Tyson to resume practicing in Week 5. For now, Week 6 could be more likely. Once activated from injured reserve, Tyson will have a 21-day window to continue rehabbing, if need be.