Christen Miller Signs with Saints, Completing 2026 Draft Class
The New Orleans Saints have officially locked in their entire 2026 NFL Draft class. After signing seven of their eight selections on Thursday, the team announced on Friday, May 8, 2026, that second-round pick Christen Miller has inked his rookie contract. With Miller's signing, every player New Orleans selected in April's draft is now under contract and ready for organized team activities.
Miller, selected as the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, was the final holdout from the class. While the Saints acted swiftly to get seven of their picks signed by May 7, negotiations with Miller's camp extended slightly longer. However, both sides reached an agreement by Friday morning, officially bringing Miller into the Saints' fold.
For general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore, securing all eight draft picks before Phase 3 of the offseason program is a noteworthy organizational achievement. It guarantees that every rookie will participate fully in mandatory minicamps and on-field installations without contractual distractions.
A Defensive Line Reinforcement
Christen Miller joins New Orleans as an interior defensive lineman with a compelling blend of size and explosiveness. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 305 pounds, Miller fits the profile favored by defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's aggressive scheme. Known for his quick first step and ability to penetrate offensive gaps, Miller is an ideal fit for the Saints' gap-penetrating defensive front.
The Saints already boast one of the deeper defensive tackle rooms in the league with veterans like Nathan Shepherd, Davon Godchaux, and Bryan Bresee providing a strong foundation. However, Miller brings a youthful edge and upside to a rotation that includes Khristian Boyd, Coziah Izzard, and Vernon Broughton. Unlike traditional nose tackles who occupy blockers, Miller's strength as a one-gap penetrator creates disruption on passing downs, adding valuable versatility.
Given New Orleans' occasional struggles generating consistent pressure up the middle, Miller's addition could have an immediate impact. Alongside edge rushers Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Tyree Wilson, Miller gives the Saints a more dynamic interior pass rush weapon capable of forcing quarterbacks off their spot.
Completing the Class
With Miller now signed, the Saints have finalized their full 2026 draft class as follows:
- Round 1 (No. 8 overall): OT Kelvin Banks Jr. -- Projected as the franchise left tackle of the future, Banks is expected to start immediately.
- Round 2 (No. 40 overall): DT Christen Miller -- A penetrating three-technique with starter potential.
- Round 3 (No. 72 overall): LB Danny Stutsman -- A sure tackler from Oklahoma who adds physicality to the linebacker unit.
- Round 4 (No. 104 overall): WR Barion Brown -- A speedy wide receiver who offers deep-threat capability and return skills.
- Round 5 (No. 136 overall): TE Oscar Delp -- A balanced tight end who can both block effectively and contribute in the passing game.
- Round 5 (No. 145 overall): CB TJ Hall -- A versatile defensive back with potential to start, mainly in the slot.
- Round 6 (No. 168 overall): WR Bryce Lance -- A big-bodied receiver with red-zone scoring ability.
- Round 7 (No. 200 overall): DL Keeshawn Silver -- A developmental defensive lineman with raw power and upside.
This class addresses multiple roster areas. Banks strengthens the offensive line, Stutsman bolsters linebacker depth alongside Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner, and the addition of Brown and Lance enhances receiving depth behind starters Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele.
Miller's Path to Playing Time
The pressing question for Saints fans centers on how soon Miller will see the field. Although the defensive tackle rotation is relatively deep, it remains competitive but not impenetrable. Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd are projected as starters in base defenses, with Davon Godchaux anchoring the nose tackle position. Khristian Boyd, Vernon Broughton, and Coziah Izzard round out the depth chart.
Miller's best opportunity may come during passing downs. His quickness off the ball suits third-down sub-packages, where pairing him alongside Bresee could generate formidable interior pressure to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Should Miller prove disciplined against the run, he could secure rotational snaps amounting to 15-20 per game as a rookie.
Brandon Staley's defensive philosophy often utilizes diverse fronts and aggressive rotational schemes. Miller's skill set--a quick, penetrating three-technique--is tailor-made for the sub-packages Staley employs to create confusion and pressure.
Impact on the Roster and Competition
With Miller now signed, the Saints can focus entirely on ongoing positional battles. The defensive line room features at least 14 players, including Bresee, Boyd, Broughton, Godchaux, Izzard, Miller, John Ridgeway III, and Shepherd. The coaching staff faces difficult decisions on how many linemen to keep for the final 53-man roster.
At the defensive end position, depth includes Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Tyree Wilson, and Fadil Diggs, creating additional competition for roster spots. Typically, NFL teams carry between nine and ten defensive linemen. The Saints' abundance at both end and tackle positions suggests some veterans and younger players could be waived during roster cutdowns.
As a second-round pick, Miller is effectively guaranteed a roster spot, but competitors such as Keeshawn Silver and Zxavian Harris must demonstrate substantial progress to earn their jobs.
Looking Ahead
With the entire 2026 draft class signed, New Orleans now shifts attention to the final phases of the offseason program. Rookie minicamp is complete, and organized team activities (OTAs) will increase in intensity. For Christen Miller, these next weeks provide critical opportunities to master Staley's complex defensive schemes, develop chemistry with teammates, and adjust to the accelerated pace of the NFL.
The Saints are determined to bounce back in 2026 after a challenging previous season. The rookie class will be integral to that resurgence. Kelvin Banks Jr. is expected to anchor the offensive line, Danny Stutsman aims for immediate linebacker contributions, and Christen Miller could be the disruptive interior presence that elevates the defense.
Signing all eight draft picks before Phase 3 of offseason workouts reflects positively on the Saints organization and its front office leadership. Now begins the crucial developmental process for Miller and his fellow rookies, who carry the hopes of the franchise.
For a team aiming to re-enter NFL playoff contention, every roster detail counts. With the 2026 draft class fully under contract, New Orleans can concentrate exclusively on football and its quest for success in the coming season.