Full Breakdown
Saints Draft Auburn Guard Jeremiah Wright in Fourth Round to Bolster Interior Line
4/26/2026, 8:22:42 AM
Fourth-Round Selection
On April 25, 2026, the New Orleans Saints selected Jeremiah Wright with the 132nd overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 331-pound guard joins a class that includes first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, third-round pick Oscar Delp, and nose tackle Christen Miller.
Trade Background and Draft Strategy
The 132nd pick came from a compensation package the Saints received from the Seattle Seahawks after trading wide receiver Rashid Shaheed in 2025. The extra fourth-round slot allowed New Orleans to address interior line depth and protect quarterback Tyler Shough, continuing a pattern of offensive-line investment.
Player Profile and Performance Metrics
Selma, Alabama native Jeremiah Wright played 53 games at Auburn, starting 25 at right guard after moving from defensive tackle in 2022. He logged 434 pass-block snaps in 2024 and 449 in 2025, allowing nine sacks across his collegiate career. At the NFL Scouting Combine he measured 6-5 1/8 , 331 lb, with a 10-inch hand, 33 1/8 -inch arm length, and an 83 1/8 -inch wingspan. Wright appeared in the 2026 Reese’s Senior Bowl and lettered in baseball at Selma High School.
Team Outlook
Saints officials said Wright met with the organization multiple times before the draft and that the team “showed immense interest” in him. Coaching staff expect him to compete for the long-term right-guard role, potentially succeeding veteran Cesar Ruiz.
Scouting Evaluation
NFL.com described Wright as a “ground-and-pound right guard with excellent power at the point of attack,” but flagged concerns about hand placement, pass-protection technique, and vulnerability to athletic rushers. The evaluation notes limited foot quickness and average instincts, labeling him a “limited athlete” whose inconsistencies may be hard to correct.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on Wright’s combine participation: one report states he did not perform the 40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump, or bench press, while another provides only his measurements without performance data. No direct quote from Saints leadership is available.
Verbatim Quote
> “Wright is a ground-and-pound right guard with excellent power at the point of attack. There are concerns about his hand placement and pass protection, though. He has the size/power to go head-to-head in NFL gap and power concepts, playing with a nasty finisher’s demeanor. However, average instincts and a lack of foot quickness leave him vulnerable to athletic rushers and gaming fronts. Wright is a limited athlete with inconsistencies that might not be correctable but he’s tough, strong and has pro-ready traits that should make him a Day 3 pick,” — NFL.com overview
What’s Next
Wright is expected to join the Saints’ rookie minicamp, after which he will vie for a roster spot and the potential starting guard position. His development will be monitored as the team continues to shape its offensive line for the 2026 season.
