As much as we've grown used to the New Orleans Saints' rebuild, we have to face the fact that the former NFC South powerhouse is slowly becoming a problem again.
While quarterback is a bit of a question mark for them, in addition to their offensive line, they have excellent skill players and a still-formidable defensive line behind play from Cam Jordan and Chase Young.
Detroit should be able to handle them in Week 1, especially being at Ford Field to kickoff the season, but they still need to be careful to not underestimate these three Saints players at their own peril.
3 Saints players the Lions cannot ignore in Week 1
Chris Olave
Olave is going to get a ton of touches to begin the season with rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson out to begin the year. The fifth-year receiver is coming off a 1,163 receiving yard year off 100 total receptions, where he also pieced together nine touchdowns. He's a threat on the outside to a Lions defense that is still figuring out their CB2 job.
D.J. Reed is likely to get the assignment here, but he cannot lose a step with Olave bound to get a ton of attention in this game. The Lions' secondary is a weakness that Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will be looking to take advantage of, especially in Week 1 with chemistry still forming.
Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry had the kind the season in 2025 that might've made some Lions fans question why the team didn't take him in the 2024 NFL draft. 17 pass breakups is nothing to sneer at, despite those breakups not equating to more turnovers generated by McKinstry. Still, he played in all 17 games, was a great tackler, and could be a nightmare for Detroit's receivers in this one.
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His assignment will be on Jameson Williams as the teams' starting outside corner, so it'll be an immediately tough kickoff for Williams in a critical Year 5 season. If he's removed consistently as an option for Jared Goff, it could make life difficult for Detroit's offense overall.
Chase Young
Young has completely reinvented himself since arriving in New Orleans in 2024. After shaking off the "bust" label that'd haunted him since his Washington Commanders days, he's become a key part of the Saints' defensive line alongside Jordan. At just 27 years old, he figures to be a mainstay for New Orleans if he can maintain the level of production he's had over his last two seasons: 15.5 sacks, seven passes defended, 12.5 stuffs, and three forced fumbles.
He had 10 sacks in just 12 games last season, showing that he cannot be ignored by Detroit's very young offensive line headed into this game.
This is going to be a huge first test for Blake Miller, who is likely going to start at right tackle to begin the season. Assuming he gets one of Young or Jordan to handle in this game, he'll have his hands full.
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