On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints open their regular season with a road showdown at the Detroit Lions. The Saints come into the opener as nearly a touchdown underdog. New Orleans looks to have a greatly improved roster from their 2025 version. However, they are taking on a consensus playoff contender and one of the top offenses in the NFL.
If the Saints are to emerge from Detroit with a victory, several players must have terrific games. Obviously, the spotlight will shine brightest on Tyler Shough, their second-year quarterback. Such is also the case with wideout Chris Olave, edge rusher Chase Young, and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, the key to this game could come down to the newest Saints. Outside of the obvious just mentioned, here
are five offseason additions who must come up big if New Orleans beats the Lions.
RB Travis Etienne Jr. and G David Edwards
Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards were prioritized by New Orleans early in free agency. Edwards is expected to solidify what has been a revolving door of mediocrity at left guard. Etienne was identified by coach Kellen Moore as the specific back he wanted for his system to upgrade the rushing attack.
Last season's version of the Lions had struggles against the run in most of their losses. Etienne is a big-play threat who has shown he can handle the workload of a featured back. His success is crucial to establishing balance and setting up bigger plays for Shough in the passing game. Edwards will be responsible for opening those rushing lanes and keeping the pass rush off the New Orleans quarterback. Whatever success the Saints have against Detroit's defense, there's a good chance that Etienne and Edwards are in the center of it.
LB Kaden Elliss
Elliss was brought back to New Orleans to fill the free agent departure of Demario Davis. He'll be the play-caller and primary defensive captain for the Saints. The loss of Davis isn't being talked about nearly enough. However, Elliss could silence that altogether by making plays, showing good instincts, and getting a fast handle on the defensive scheme.
Elliss and the Saints open with a monumental test against arguably the most dangerous running back in the league. Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs will beat you in countless ways. The Lions have several offensive weapons, but their attack is centered around Gibbs' versatility and explosiveness. Very few linebackers can stay with Gibbs in open space. The challenge for Elliss and the linebackers is to limit Gibbs and prevent him from taking over the game.
DT Christen Miller
New Orleans went into the offseason desperately needing to upgrade their defensive interior. They addressed it with Miller, a second round draft choice from Georgia. Even while dealing with some nagging injuries, Miller showed disruptive skills during preseason and training camp. The Saints still have concerns about the quality of the defensive line rotation, but Miller is being counted on to upgrade the interior run defense and providing some pass rush up the middle.
The best way to control Jahmyr Gibbs is by shutting down inside rushing lanes and eliminating cutback options. Doing so will make it much easier for Elliss and the linebackers to zero in on the Detroit back. Additionally, Lions quarterback Jared Goff can get erratic under pressure. If Miller and the defensive line can collapse the pass pocket and get in Goff's face, it likely sets up some one-on-one blocking on the edge for New Orleans pass rushers Young and Carl Granderson to create major disruption.
CB Martin Emerson
No matter how you slice it, Emerson is a major corner upgrade from Isaac Yiadom. A former starter in Cleveland, Emerson might again be thrust into the starting lineup on Sunday because of an injury to Quincy Riley. It's a chance for Emerson to show that he's fully recovered from an Achilles injury that cost all of 2025, but it will also come with a tremendous challenge.
Detroit has a dangerous crew of pass catchers led by wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam La Porta. The entire Saints secondary must step up, but Emerson is the corner likely to be targeted most often when on the field. New Orleans doesn't play a lot of man coverage, but Emerson must make the Lions pay for testing him in either man or off-ball responsibilities.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 5 new additions to watch in Saints vs. Lions season opener
