Saints hint at plan to find under-the-radar answer to multiple problems during late stages of 2026 NFL Draft
The Saints could look to a Tennessee Vols defender to improve their depth immediately in 2026.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, more and more visits are happening. The New Orleans Saints have shown a lot of interest in pass catchers and defensive backs so far when it comes to the early rounds, but a recent report on a defensive line visit is a notable one.
New Orleans clearly has their eye on improving both their run stopping abilities and pass rush upside sometime throughout the selection process. The Saints will have an under-the-radar SEC defender meeting with them soon.
Saints will meet privately with Tennessee Vols defender Tyre West
According to Aaron Wilson, Saints DL coach Bo Davis will meet with Tyre West this week, ahead of next week’s draft. West has often been a projected day three pick, so New Orleans is doing their homework on the depth of this defensive line class.
West was not a flashy name around the SEC, but the Vols knew him rather well.
As a bigger player off the edge, he was good in stopping the run and had the versatility/size to play on the interior as well. Those sort of hybrid bodies along the defensive line have had success for Brandon Staley in the past, so it is no surprise that West is on the Saints’ radar.
The Saints lack young potential across their defense line but especially at defensive tackle. Bryan Bresee had his fifth-year option picked up recently, but the depth is lacking and doesn’t project much confidence for 2026 right now.
Vols expert breaks down West’s profile
I discussed West’s outlook entering the NFL and how he fared last season in the SEC with Craig Smith, who knows the Vols quite well. He could fit in nicely with the Saints as depth.
“Tyre West is someone I would have liked to have seen more of on the field in 2025 (which is how I felt about Omarr Norman-Lott the year before).
What we got in limited snaps from West was a strong pass rusher who generated regular pressure off the edge. From 2023-25, he totaled 16, 17, and 17 pressures in 107, 102, and 146 pass rushing snaps, respectively. While his pressure rate was a bit lower in 2025, his disruptiveness was on display in the Vols’ overtime win against Mississippi State, where he had two sacks and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown. He tied for the team lead in tackles for loss for the season with 7.5.
At 6-3, 290 pounds, West seems most likely to end up as a 3T or 5T defensive lineman in the NFL. And he might have the pass rushing upside to give whoever pulls the trigger on him a solid bump in pressure from that spot.” — Craig Smith, A to Z Sports
